Mix sound from computer and Alexa

Chomeur

I'd like to have the sound from both my Amazon Echo Dot and my computer come out of the same speakers which are connected to my computer. You would think this would be a simple enough matter - just connect the Echo Dot to the line in of my computer. But it doesn't work - no sound comes out via the line in.

I've made Line In the default device on Control Panel/Sound/Recording and played around with that generally, but to no avail. I'm running Windows 7. Is there something I can do to fix this? Would getting a cheap mixer be a good solution?

Thanks

Debbie_Savard

This is what you need, just link Dot and PC to the speakers.

Chomeur

Thanks. However my speakers require two male ends (one for left and one for right I suppose) so maybe I need one of these

plus two jacks. Or maybe not, perhaps that cable doesn't take male ends as in your picture.

esuhl

Chomeur wrote: »

I'd like to have the sound from both my Amazon Echo Dot and my computer come out of the same speakers which are connected to my computer. You would think this would be a simple enough matter - just connect the Echo Dot to the line in of my computer. But it doesn't work - no sound comes out via the line in.

Is it definitely the "line-in" socket you're using? I've got a 7.1 channel sound card, and the sockets are dynamically assigned depending on how many audio channels you're using.

I don't think I can use a line-input and 7.1 audio at the same time.

I'd try any other audio sockets just to see if they work.

You might also need to have a look in the "Sound" control panel applet. Click on the Playback tab and select the audio output device (e.g. speakers or headphones). Click "Configure", and you can select the number of output channels. On the same screen, clicking "Properties" will show you how the audio channels correspond to the sockets on the back of your PC.

If you click the "Recording" tab, you can do the same thing for the "Line In".

emptybox

Chomeur wrote: »

Thanks. However my speakers require two male ends (one for left and one for right I suppose) so maybe I need one of these

plus two jacks. Or maybe not, perhaps that cable doesn't take male ends as in your picture.

That's just an extension lead.

Are you sure your speakers don't have an auxilliary input?
If not, you can buy simple audio switches.
e.g - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Output-Manual-2-Port-Black
(that won't work if you need both sources to play at once)

Debbie_Savard

Sounds like this is what you need, plug the stackable plugs into speakers, connect existing cables from PC, plug in Echo on 3.5mm

Chomeur

esuhl wrote: »

Is it definitely the "line-in" socket you're using? I've got a 7.1 channel sound card, and the sockets are dynamically assigned depending on how many audio channels you're using.

I don't think I can use a line-input and 7.1 audio at the same time.

I'd try any other audio sockets just to see if they work.

You might also need to have a look in the "Sound" control panel applet. Click on the Playback tab and select the audio output device (e.g. speakers or headphones). Click "Configure", and you can select the number of output channels. On the same screen, clicking "Properties" will show you how the audio channels correspond to the sockets on the back of your PC.

If you click the "Recording" tab, you can do the same thing for the "Line In".

Hey, I've got it working, thanks. Plugging in to the blue line in port at the back, and ensuring "Listen to this device" was checked for the Line In have done it. There's also a Mixer function on the systray icon for sound which lets you select the volume for each source separately.