4 speaker outputs from 2 channels USB in on Alesis io4 and pipewire--how?

[chrisco23]

I've had the Alesis io4 for years but never totally mastered it.

At the moment I've been using running laptop -> io4 -> Harman Kardon amp -> 2 floor speakers.

I'm running pipewire and consistently I've been using EasyEffects with a compressor effect. But I don't have to be.

I will be using Bitwig again soon but I have a more immediate problem: switch speakers at night so as to not bother neighbors.

Two that end I have purchased a couple powered Edifiers (I'll get better monitor/bookshelf soon but these are ok for now).

So the 2 main channels in question (just for youtube, Strawberry or VLC, etc) go as described above.

I just need to be able to switch to the bookshelf speakers late night. Ideally I'd like to use a little of each (ie mostly bookshelf at night).

I had almost this setup before but that was before I switched to Pipewire.

I have Pipewire and pipewire-pulse and I can run pavucontrol. With pavucontrol I only seem to get sound when I have the io4 set to "Pro Audio".

Channels 3 & 4 of the io4 are marked "USB". I don't want any USB out from the io4 at all, only audio out.

Can it be done? If not, if I purchased a FocusRite 4i4 would that make life easier? The only inputs to the audio device I want to use right now are the laptop USB connections.

[sunrat]

I reckon it would be easiest to just y-split the outputs, then turn the amp off and the Edifiers on when you want to use them, or vice-versa.
Or if you want to do it in software you could save wire sets in qpwgraph and switch between them.

[chrisco23]

Thanks, yeah, I've run qpwgraph a bit and I like it but with pipewire, sometimes easyeffects, it's prob. more than I can deal with, wires everywhere.

Your first thought, by "y-split", do you mean physically? the cables? New term for me.

[sunrat]

Your first thought, by "y-split", do you mean physically? the cables? New term for me.

Yes, something like this - https://hosatech.com/products/analog-au ... s/ypp-111/
I looked up the specs for io4 and it only has 2 TS main outputs so it wouldn't be possible in software.

[chrisco23]

ah so if I get what you're saying then, one of those to split each channel into 2...

I had been also wondering about say Focusrite 4i4 or whatever it is, or similar.

Do you or anybody know, would that be different situation? or same?

[autostatic]

This interface has 4 outputs, a 2 channel "Main" output and a 2 channel "USB" output. From what I understand the USB outputs should output normal output, TRS connections are not covered by the USB specifications Also Alesis states the following:

Producers and musicians will appreciate the ability to connect a second pair of reference monitors or route audio to external effects processors using iO4’s four available output channels.

So I assume 2 of those 4 channels are the "Main" output and the other 2 the "USB" ones. Did you already try those "USB" outputs?
And also check https://7132afa424c2f1a2ab6d-54d68a14e2 ... x_knob.pdf
I think this document explains what you want and it also affirms my assumptions.

[chrisco23]

Thanks the detailed response and yes I think you're right there.

I had had all four outs going at some point but I can't remember exactly how and now dealing with different laptop, pipewire, wireplumber, etc.

I'll take a look into some more of this info and report back.