How to listen to music while I play a video game?

wibcon

I've been playing a Nintendo Switch game recently and I'd like to be able to listen to music (probably Spotify) while playing. But I cannot imagine how to do that. Do I need some kind of mixer to mix the audio from the Spotify input into the audio of the input for the Switch? Also I'd like to be able to easily toggle this so that I could choose to listen to game audio instead...

A perfect solution would also allow me to mix the two audio inputs/channels (instead of overriding one or other) AND control volume of each independently.

TIA for the help. I'm at a loss.

Steve_Lee

What source in the video game audio and is the music audio PC based?
What is this "switch" you mention?
Are you running games and Spotify on PC's/MAC's or are they independent devices?

dcibel

https://www.amazon.com/Moukey-Low-Noise-Sub-Mixing-Microphones-Mixer-MAMX1/dp/B08393DLGV/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1FTIXZZ6U6EDQ&keywords=4+channel+mixer&qid=1692889505&sprefix=4+channel+mixe,aps,177&sr=8-2

https://www.amazon.com/Mackie-Mix-Mix5-5-Channel-Mixer/dp/B00ND1K8T6/ref=pd_vtp_h_pd_vtp_h_sccl_1/134-0223285-9490701?pd_rd_w=BOMoM&content-id=amzn1.sym.e16c7d1a-0497-4008-b7be-636e59b1dfaf&pf_rd_p=e16c7d1a-0497-4008-b7be-636e59b1dfaf&pf_rd_r=16GS0NB6BN8QNFKDJ5HB&pd_rd_wg=2DEwh&pd_rd_r=06a91b01-229e-40e4-a838-3c7cd69220f5&pd_rd_i=B00ND1K8T6&psc=1

DrewsBrews

the "Nintendo Switch" is a handheld game console. Might be as simple as using headphone outputs from both the "Switch" and whatever you are streaming from and using a 2 into 1 adapter to feed to a single pair of headphones. Then you can use the volume control on each device. I've never tried it so I don't know how well/bad this works.. Probably also depends if either device gets cranky about it.

https://superuser.com/questions/828768/i-want-to-run-two-audio-sources-through-my-headphones

silverD

What about something like this? While simple, it may not give you the control you are looking for compared to the other items linked above. https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Converter-Nintendo-Switch-Adapter/dp/B07SN3B5J4

wibcon

That last thing silverD linked is interesting for sure, but I'm using the Switch docked to a TV via HDMI, and therefore I'm not sure how I would separate the audio signal.

I should have included more information...

About the setup:

Nintendo Switch + dock HDMI
Denon receiver
TV
JBL E80s (I haven't DIY a pair od speakers YET)

I got Portal Bridge Constructor when it was on sale

kenrhodes

The easiest thing might be to use the TV speakers for the game and the Denon for music. Otherwise a stereo mixer would be the best way.

kenrhodes

If the Denon has a pre-out loop that might work well as a way to loop to the mixer and give you all your receiver audio options.

silverD

Hm... Audio extractor on the output of the switch which then feeds into a mixer like the ones linked above along with the Spotify source (assuming it isn't the receiver). The output of the mixer would then go into one of the audio inputs on the receiver and if it's like mine, I can select which audio source to use with the auxiliary HDMI. The more obvious and practical solution is to have a separate source, amp, and speakers for music...at least for those of us on this forum