DAC with "chatmix" functionality

[Haggisman]

My arctis pros have snapped at the earcup hinge (common fault, steelseries aren't interested) so I have some nice new headphones on the way, and will probably pick up a modmic to go with them

However one thing I found really handy on the arctis was the chatmix - basically it shows as 2 audio devices in Windows, one for games, one for chat (e.g. Discord) with the ability to change the balance between them using the volume control.

Wondering if there are any recommendations for a DAC with similar functionality?

So far the only options I've found are from creative, on the g3, gc7 and x3, x4 (g6 has it but only for ps4/5 )

Ideally want one which can also output to speakers and take an additional line in, which somewhat rules out the g3, but any other suggestions?

 

[EsaT]

Not much of options with overall shrinking of purpose built PC sound card markets with far less functions fashion "DACs" pushed everywhere.
And chatmix is even rarer completely gaming centred feature.


Depending on headphones you have on the way there might be some requirements for very low output impedance to not change frequency response.
Same for headphone output's amplifier capabilities.
Though most headphones work fine on typical outputs.

So far the only options I've found are from creative, on the g3, gc7 and x3, x4 (g6 has it but only for ps4/5 )

According to this SBX G6 supports it on PC:

With the latest available version of the firmware installed, the knob also has a GameVoice Mix functionality, letting us seamlessly balance the volume between two sources, which are most likely going to be the game we're playing and Discord. GameVoice Mix is supported on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, along with PC.
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/usb-sound-cards-the-whats-the-whys-and-the-hows/6.html​

And if it can do it on consoles, why it couldn't do that on PC with far more controllability options through software?


For headphone amplifier SBX G6 is definitely the most capable with the highest output voltage range, if you have especially high signal voltage needing headphones.
(600 ohm Beyers would be typical)

But for headphone gaming purposes it has only old fixed/average head shape based HRTF algorithm.
SB GC7, X3 and X4 have also head shape customizable Super X-Fi, which could be able to give lot better sound positioning.
Super X-Fi also has headphone profiles to take peculiarities of headphones into account.

 

[Haggisman]

Interesting - that's the only place I can find which mentions PC is supported - I wonder if it uses the same USB in/optical in for 2 sources as on the PS4/5 rather than dual outputs via USB like the G3/GC7/X3/X4

 

[EsaT]

Virtual audio devices would be another way to create audio output device for voice chats, whose volume can be controlled separately.

https://vb-audio.com/Voicemeeter/VoicemeeterBanana_UserManual.pdf

 

[Haggisman]

Can't windows do all of that via the volume mixer anyway? Ideally I'd want a hardware control so I don't have to alt-tab etc.

I guess some kind of separate USB volume control would work as well if it could interface with the window

 

[EsaT]

Depends on what you want to do.
Though you can separately adjust volume of different sound sources (programs) in Windows mixer.
But not sure if you can have any quick keys for that.
Actually most voice chat programs might have some quick key options for volume adjustment.

 

[Haggisman]

Depends on what you want to do.
Though you can separately adjust volume of different sound sources (programs) in Windows mixer.
But not sure if you can have any quick keys for that.
Actually most voice chat programs might have some quick key options for volume adjustment.

Ultimately I just want a hardware control to adjust Discord volume without having to alt-tab etc. in the middle of a game, surprising there isn't a thing to do this outside of - as you say - quite niche gamer products

 

[EsaT]

AutoHotkey and NirCmd can be used to create command scripts changing things like volume settings.
They can have directly configured hotkey or then maknig desktop shortcut with hotkey.

https://www.autohotkey.com/
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/nircmd.html
Though would expect most voice chat programs to have built in option for changing chat's volume.

 

[Haggisman]

Thanks - I had a play with "SoundVolumeView" from NirCmd and have got it set up to raise lower the volume with a couple of macro keys on my keyboard, it sort of works, but it's a bit janky, so instead of wasting more time trying to find a workaround I've just gone ahead and ordered the GC7 - it seems to offer what I want in the most accessible way and has a few of the extra Sound Blaster functions which might come in handy, there don't seem to be any other alternatives, so meh ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

Thanks anyway

 

[Haggisman]

GC7 turned up today and does exactly what I want - nice big chunky chatmix knob along with line out for my speakers and line in for my mixer