My Unconventional 6.1-channel Audio Setup
Major Sources:
- Desktop Computer - HDMI(audio & video) out - USB(duplex audio) to Studio Interface
- Playstation 5 - HDMI(audio&video) out
- VIzio TV - Has stereo speakers built-in - Left/Right RCA audio outputs - The RCA's send the same audio that plays through the speakers
Displays:
- Vizio 47" TV
- HP 23" Display (not shown in my graph as it doesn't have audio)
My PC connects to the TV & Display via HDMI & DVI cables Both the PC & PS5 have HDMI(audio & video) running to a HDMI Switcher(also not shown) that runs into the Vizio TV. Meaning the large display can be switched between them, and if the PS5 is on the TV I still have the PC on the smaller display. The TV plays audio from PC/PS5 depending on which one it is switched to. While the PS5's audio is coming out the speakers, the PC's audio can still play over the USB interface.
Scarlett 2i4 USB Studio Interface
- BACK: USB runs audio in/out(duplex) to the PC
- FRONT: 2 1/4"(6.3mm) Pre-Amp inputs on front
- FRONT: AUX/Headphone(3.5mm) Out
- BACK: Left/Right Balanced 1/4"(6.3mm)Out Jacks
Audio Outputs:
- 2 KRK Rokit 5" amplified studio monitors left/right - From back of Scarlett
- Bose Companion 3: Amplifier with 2 speakers & 1 sub-woofer
- And left/right speakers on TV
What is unique about this setup:
These adapters are necessary to make this possible. A single AUX to RCA(left/right) adpater Lets the TV send stereo output via headphone(3.5mm) cable into the AUX to 1/4"(6.5mm) adapter into the first Scarlett preamp. The other Aux to RCA adapter allows the headphone/AUX output to run into the Bose Companion 3.
The Scarlett has 5 knobs(dials) From left to right: Preamp volume 1 & 2 Input & Playback Mixer Monitor volume (the large silver knob) Headphone volume (small silver knob)
For this setup the Scarlett 2i4 is the KEY component here
The small center knob is key because it allows us to blend the playback coming from the PC with the input coming from the television. IF the PS5 is on the TV We can have 6.1 channels of PS5 mixed with 4.1 channels of PC sound together. Or we can just have the TV speakers Or we can just have 6.1 channels from the PS5.
If the PC is on the TV: You can switch between output devices in my OS which is Linux. So I can choose the HDMI and only use the 2 tv speakers. OR I can choose the Scarlett & have 4.1(through the 2 studio monitors & the Bose system's 2 speaks 1 sub). OR I can choose HDMI and mix it with the Scarlett to have all 6.1 coming from the computer.
And of course you can always turn any one of these off for the computer. With the PS5 the TV speakers HAVE to play audio no matter what. The PS5 does have an optical-audio out line, but I've never used optical audio, and I don't own anything else that can use it.
Hopefully This Makes Sense
I spent a bunch of time making this info-graphic. Obviously people have different setups based on their components, but what I wanted to show here is that you a studio interface and a computer can give you lots of possibilities for how to route audio. Obviously the Scarlett 2i4 is designed to run a microphone and maybe a guitar/bass into it, and you'd hear that on your headphones OR through your studio monitors, but because it has that center mixer I realized i could get my PC or PS5 to play through all 6.5 speakers. It's like a DIY-surround system lol. I didn't mention it but the Scarlett also has 4 unbalanced RCA outputs that you could run to another 4 speakers if you wanted to. But I don't own another 4 speakers so this was about getting 4 speakers and a subwoofer or 6 speakers and subwoofer.
The KRK Rokit's are studio monitors so they're meant to have a flat response in a treated room for accurate mixing/recording music. But they are notorious for being pretty bass-heavy, and a lot of people use them to listen to music. I love them for both things.
Oh I should mention: it's not perfect. My setup is subject to some hissing and sounds from unclean electric. You can hear clicks when lightning strikes close, or when the furnace kicks on/off. But when the audio is playing through everything sounds good. You notice these things when you have nothing playing, and you can adjust levels and jiggle wires to get the hiss/buzz out.
But my hope is that someone will find this interesting, and perhaps get some ideas from it.
