Multiple computers/interfaces/Single set of Audio monitors

Axe_meister · April 2023

So I have 3 computers in my office.
Work laptop, PC (for general compute and gaming) and coming soon a Mac mini which will be dedicated to Music.
At the moment I an a seperate interface for each computer, the outputs going to a mixer and then to the Audio monitors.
Ideally I'd have a single interface that I can quickly switch (not via unplugging), but I don't think such a solution exists, that way I don't need to replug any instruments/microphones I may have attached.
What would your solution be for such a situation?

Snags · April 2023

How do you connect the interface(s)?

The obvious answer would be the equivalent of a KVM switch that also switched USB (or whatever connector is required).

Axe_meister · April 2023

I connect via USB either type A or type C depending on the interface. One problem I have found with manual KVM switches they can introduce a pulse through the speakers and the annoying bing when they reconnect (yes I know this can be disabled).
I also have multiple screens that adds to the complexity.

Axe_meister · April 2023

Another solution I was thinking of was some sort of batchbay that splits an input into multiple outputs, feeding all interfaces at once and then carry on with the mixer.

JohnS37 · April 2023

I’m not 100 percent sure I understand what you’re aiming for, but I have two computers in my office and I’m short of desk space, so I have one keyboard and one mouse, plugged into a USB switch that can control either computer, but only one at a time. Works perfectly and saves a lot of space. Look for USB switch on eBay.

Axe_meister · April 2023

Most KVMs are two computers only and only one at a time.
I usually during my work day, have work laptop and Home PC on seperate monitors, using a single keyboard an mount via synergy (great solution that allows me to cut and paste between computers).
Each currently has it's own Audio interface that goes into a mixer so I only have one set of Audio Monitors, but I have to plug my microphone between different audio interfaces should I have a video confrences on different computers (personal and work). Now I have bringing in a third computer, so when I have a break between meetings/work stuff I can quickly switch to the third computer for music stuff. However I am not going to introduce a third monitor.
At the moment all computers are connected to all monitors, I just swith between inputs, such that if I need lots of screen real estate on each computer I can.
I'm thinking my current solution is probably the most efficient.

Sporky · April 2023

A USB switch is the answer. I have a Startech HBS304A24A which is USB 3.2 and supports 4 PCs. Also it has a remote switch that cycles through the PCs.

£95ish.

Axe_meister · April 2023

Sporky said:

A USB switch is the answer. I have a Startech HBS304A24A which is USB 3.2 and supports 4 PCs. Also it has a remote switch that cycles through the PCs.

£95ish.

Do you get bangs and pops when you switch?

Sporky · April 2023

I don't have audio devices on mine, it's mouse, keyboard, Stream Deck, webcam. It's not a crash switch though, so I'd hope it's rather more sympathetic.

Snags · April 2023

Axe_meister said:

Most KVMs are two computers only and only one at a time.

I'm thinking my current solution is probably the most efficient.

No they aren't

You can get KVMs for pretty much any number of computers if you're prepared to spend the money. I've got two four point units in the office that are about to be surplus to requirements. One's VGA based and one's HDMI (I think, could be DisplayPort, would need to check). I can't remember whether they have a shared USB port beyond the keyboard and mouse, however. I've also used 8-machine units, and you can get network controlled ones that go bananas in terms of numbers.

The trick is going to be finding one that:

supports multiple monitors (if you use more than one monitor per computer)
supports the right video standards
supports sharing of USB devices beyond the keyboard and the mouse
is high enough quality not to give you the audio pop that's a concern
costs less than a decent computer does bearing in mind the quality requirement

Alternatively, as Sporky suggests, a powered USB switch that lets you route the connected device to the desired base unit. Unfortunately I suspect it will need to be trial and error to find one that doesn't give you any pops on selection.

octatonic · April 2023

Axe_meister said:

Another solution I was thinking of was some sort of batchbay that splits an input into multiple outputs, feeding all interfaces at once and then carry on with the mixer.

I have multiple computers and somewhat specialise in networked audio.

This is how I do it- I do not know of a better way.
I have the (4) computers on a KVM for dual monitors, single mouse and keyboard.
I think that the audio capabilities of these KVM's are terrible and not fit for studios.

My computers all have their own audio interfaces.
A 'single switchable audio interface on multiple computers' is not a thing.
The way to do this is with some sort of networked or routable audio.

I use a combination of MADI and Dante.
MADI is older, more proven but less flexible, unless you have a great audio router (which I do- Google 'Digital Audio Denmark AX64' and 'Avid MTRX'. These are what I use).

Dante is newer, more powerful but requires considerably more knowledge to maintain and implement.

The advantage of Dante is you can send a source to multiple destinations.
So, say you had a synth plugged into a Dante AD converter (transmitter).
It is easy to send that signal to multiple Dante receivers.
One for each computer.

You can do that with MADI if your master device has a routing capability (the above mentioned devices do).
Dante is inherently routable and deterministic.

In terms of monitoring, you could make one of the computers 'the master' and send the outputs of all the other computers to that one.
Or you get a Dante monitor controller (Grace M908).

Here is a screenshot of DADMAN, the software I use to manage all my input sources.
In the 'Mon' (itor) section you can see I have 4 computers (AX64 Stereo, MAUL LR, MacPro PCIER & HDX) enabled to send their stereo output to the monitors, which are Kii Three's and then to a Grace M905 (which feed my ATC's and the headphone amp).
I can also send the Axe FX, Kemper and various other devices (preamps on channels 9-16 on the top line) straight to the monitors too.
This is all *quite* expensive to implement.
It takes quite a lot of time to maintain too.
The more complex a studio is the less time you spend using it and the more time you spend making it work.

Image: https://scontent-lhr8-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/340922866_2450151451832864_5950767206452691839_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=z2SNN4xgz90AX-VKTlf&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-1.xx&oh=00_AfBC9FNfox4oQdPjHHQAf_qXHDRY_vulTVyQgWi2QnqQog&oe=643E5632

Another approach is to buy a few analogue patchbays, half normal your input signals to your most commonly used computer, and then repatch when you need to send something to another computer.

There is a digital version of this too.
Flock Audio and CB Electronics make products that use relays to digitally patch analogue equipment.
They are thousands of pounds though.
I think the Flock Audio Patch XT is £13k.

octatonic · April 2023

Snags said:

Axe_meister said:

Most KVMs are two computers only and only one at a time.

I'm thinking my current solution is probably the most efficient.

No they aren't

You can get KVMs for pretty much any number of computers if you're prepared to spend the money.

The problem is refresh rate, if you want anything over 60hz with the above capabilities you are SOL.
My main PC does 4K @ 144hz.
I've not found a cost effective solution for dual monitor switching above 60hz so far.

Snags · April 2023

octatonic said:

Snags said:

No they aren't

You can get KVMs for pretty much any number of computers if you're prepared to spend the money.
The problem is refresh rate, if you want anything over 60hz with the above capabilities you are SOL.
My main PC does 4K @ 144hz.
I've not found a cost effective solution for dual monitor switching above 60hz so far.

I'm not surprised. Even a decent resolution, let alone refresh rate, is relatively pricey for the good stuff, particularly with dual monitor support across multiple machines.

We used to do AdderView and another brand that escapes me for high-end stuff, but they are most definitely reassuringly expensive, and generally don't go to the high end of video because the common use-cases (IME) are server rooms or data-heavy applications rather than video/audio production and editing.

If you don't mind spending the money and accepting the limitations, you can get some very neat kit though. As long as it meets your use-case. Which was always the problem with some of the places we put them into "Why do I need to spend £500 on that when I can get a Belkin one for £30?" ... "Because the Belkin one won't do what you need" (and occasionally the reverse of "Why do you want to spend £500, this £30 one will do just fine?" "But that one's prettier" "OK, I'll take your money").

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