Thread: FB to control audio switching?

Well this is a little different. So instead of controlling the power to the radio and soundcard, this device would let me control which audio source is given to the amps. I like the idea...however I see a couple hang ups

1. I would need one of these devices for each channel. I can't have L/R Tweets, Mids, and Bass being processed by the computer then put into a single input on this box. That defeats all the processing. A box per channel becomes very pricey.
2. When the computer is out of the car, is this device smart enough to know to use the only input it is getting signal from? I wouldn't have the computer there to switch it over to the radio input otherwise.

You need to isolate the 2 inputs - you can't just splice them together & turn one off. You'll eventually damage the output circuit on the PC or Radio (or both). if it's a pioneer h/u, it might not survive initial connection.....

You haven't given enough information to really give advice - knowing what components you're using would help a lot (sound card, processing, h/u model, speaker setup, etc) It sounds like you want multi-channel from the carPC, but stereo from the radio, not sure how your are planning that to work. You might be able to take the device suggested above & modify it to select channel 1 or channel 2+3+4 if you need 2 + 6 channels. then it depends on how your amps are hooked up (that device wont output 6ch)

My suggestion would be to use an external processor, then use the FB to switch it's inputs (my RF 360.2 can do that (2ch input, has an external input select + volume), haven't looked at how the signal switches inputs though I'm sure the FB could be adapted to work). You'd run stereo to both inputs, then you can do all your EQ, T/A, x-over in the processor. If you're trying to run 3 way front + sub, that's they only way you'll get sound from your 2ch radio & 6ch computer, if I'm guessing your system correctly. You also tune the 360 via bluetooth, so the CarPC would be useful there

Well the reason I can't give too much information is because I'm trying to keep this as universal as possible so I can move it from one car to the next. Each car will be different so its hard to give details about headunits and amps and such.

Processing must be controlled by the computer (PCI card, external card, doesnt matter in this senario) because I'm not putting seperate processors in each vehicle. This way, when I remove the computer from one vehicle and put it in the next, the processor will come with it and all I have to do is load the saved settings for that particular vehicle.

In a vehicle without amps: The speakers plug directly into the headunit. What I need, is the speakers to plug into a switch. The headunit would also be plugged into this switch. So when there is no PC, everything works as normal. When you put the PC in the car you plug the audio outputs into this switch. You could then just choose which source you want to use. You would have to have a way to choose without going back and manually pressing the switch in the trunk of the car though.

In a vehicle with amps: all the same applies except the output of the switch would be to the amps obviously.

So here is a solution I'm thinking of. At this website How-To: Make a component video switch They show you how to take a KVM and turn it into a switch with RCA plugs instead of VGA and PS2 plugs. They only attach 3 RCAs, but if I modified it for 4 RCAs I think it might work. If the computer is not in, the KVM will switch to its only input automatically. If the computer is in, then you just switch between the radio and computer via a keyboard keypress which you can handle in code.

this is going a little off topic because the FB is not involved in any of this. But I think it might work as long as that switch does not tamper with the audio signal or degrade it in anyway.

Originally Posted by malcom2073

You can't drive standard car speakers with your computer audio outputs, they're line level (eg unamplified). You're going to need to run them through the headunit, or through an amplifier.

Hmm...Didn't know that...now I need to find a super small basic amp to use is this situation. Here is where I wouldnt want to upgrade the amps and speakers in the vehicle, just use what is already existing. But if there is no amp in the car, and the speaks are getting their signal from an amplified headunit, I'd need a small amp for the PC to use. Can I rip one from an old headunit or is there anyplace to buy small amps like the ones used in headunits?

Originally Posted by malcom2073

For the second situation:
You can't tie your headunits amplified outputs into the input on an amplifier. You're going to blow out the amplifier. If by chance, the amplifier has high impedance inputs, you could use those... but they usually sound horrible and most amps don't have them.

My mistake, I didnt clarify on this. When there are amps in the car, I'll be using the RCA outputs of the headunit to go into the switch.

I don't think there is anything on the market, or simple to make that can do what you want to do. You might have more luck trying to get the computer & car(s) to read your mind and just do what you want

Almost all makes & models of cars have different audio setups (I work in the manufacturing of 4 different models) so trying to tie 1 solution into multiple setups is a PITA (trust me on this one) then you add in custom setups and you're at another level of hell.

You haven't said how far you want to go with processing - is a little eq enough or do you want T/A, x-over etc. if it just eq & stereo - use the Aux input on the car's h/u & run the computer output to that (or a frequency modulator). If you want more (multi-channel, T/A, x-over, etc) you need seperate amps, component & wiring (no stock vehicle).
If you want this to work with multiple vehicles, I think that's how you're going to have to go (Aux or a tunable frequency modulator (wired/wireless))

There will probably never be a drop-in, 100% solution for a CarPc, let alone a solution that can handle multiple makes, models etc - there's too much variation within the industry for that. Unless we go back to Any-Color-you-want-as-long-as-its-Black type manufacturing (considering the current socialization of the auto makers, we might all be driving VW Beetles soon, so it might be easy to do )

Originally Posted by Iamthehor

You might have more luck trying to get the computer & car(s) to read your mind and just do what you want

Yeah, that would be the best..haha.

Originally Posted by Iamthehor

Almost all makes & models of cars have different audio setups (I work in the manufacturing of 4 different models) so trying to tie 1 solution into multiple setups is a PITA (trust me on this one) then you add in custom setups and you're at another level of hell.

Looking at any headunit, you either have wires going straight to the speakers, or you have outputs (usually RCA) that goes to an amp or processor or something. Am I wrong by thinking this? Is there something else I could be missing right there at the headunit?

I'm just thinking that if I catch the audio at that point, I only have a few different scenarios to think about.
1. There is no amp/processing/anything in the car so I need to use the speaker wires on the back of the headunit and an amplified signal from the soundcard on the PC. Put both of them into a switch (if its beefy enough...I can do some testing and determine that) and have the output that I want to go directly to the speakers. It doesnt matter how many channels each device inputs into the switch because at the output of the switch I can combine any channels that need combined and send all the signals where I need them.
2. There is an amp or processor or something connected to the stock headunit via RCAs. In this case, I would intersect the RCAs as soon as they left the headunit and run them into the switch. I would then run the rcas out of the PC into the switch. Again, it doesnt matter how many channels were ran into the switch, I would only use what I needed on the output side.
3. There is an amp or processor or something connected to the stock headunit via some digital cable....when that day comes...I'll worry about it then. I dont plan on owning a vehicle with that advanced stereo system stock for quite a while..haha.

Originally Posted by Iamthehor

You haven't said how far you want to go with processing - is a little eq enough or do you want T/A, x-over etc. if it just eq & stereo - use the Aux input on the car's h/u & run the computer output to that (or a frequency modulator). If you want more (multi-channel, T/A, x-over, etc) you need seperate amps, component & wiring (no stock vehicle).
If you want this to work with multiple vehicles, I think that's how you're going to have to go (Aux or a tunable frequency modulator (wired/wireless))

crossovers, eq, times shifts or whatnot will all be handled in software...that should not effect what i'm trying to accomplish. Number of channels will be determined by whats already in the car. If its stock 4 speakers...then the output of my switch I will configure for 4 speakers. If there are 3 amps..then the output of my switch will be configured to send highs, mids, and sub signals to their amps.