Is it possible to share an audio interface with two pc computers for simultaneous recordings?

 

It is possible.

 

Unless you network it in some way, I don't think just plugging a cable splitter will do it. Even a mouse/keyboard needs a KVM to be able to do that, imagine an audio interface.

 

my answer is reflective of a question without any conditions since none were supplied. Can it be done, with the right cables, interface, and software? Yes.

 

Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 4th gen USB as and Windows 11 at the moment. Can’t it be done with any interface? How about Windows 11 and macOS (don’t know what version).

 

No, this would require the interface being connected to both computers at the same time. So it would need two simultaneous connections via USB, TB or the like and running two drivers in parallel.

 

why do you think you can't do it with either dante or avb?

 

can you share the steps, or solution/s and if there are more than one solutions share pros and cons of each so people can decide? I'm interested in this.

 

Sure it can be done with such large and expensive solutions, but even then every computer needs a connection to this network on its own and an audio driver.

The OP asks if he can share an audio interface with two computers and I don't know of any single interface with multiple computer connections.

 

https://motu.com/en-us/news/motu-presents-avb-audio-networking-session-at-aes-la/

This is the newest version of the Motu 828. https://motu.com/en-us/products/828/

with the 828ES model I have, you would connect the second machine via cat5 ethernet cable. this is the 828es. https://motu.com/products/proaudio/828es

 

Such an audio interface requires separate driver, clock, data lane, and the respective duplicate hardware components. It would be effectively two audio interfaces in the same box, but then it limits using the second internal with the same computer through one cable...you'd need to plug both. So logically, manufacturers will stick to one interface per computer until the market sees overwhelming demand and substantial profits from these potentially expensive units.

 

So you think with an AVB interface, or Dante, or any other networked audio interface; the interface cannot send out two digital streams of audio to two separate computers?

 

no.

 

Will the USB hub not work then?

 

THEORETICALLY;
If the interface is external and the interface has a couple of toslink outputs (e.g. toslink out A and B) and the two sharing computers have native toslink inputs (some modern system boards do have these now??), it would be a fairly simple process to assign the same interface audio output stream to A & B outs simultaneously. Of course something (a 3rd computer or one of the original two) has to feed the interface an audio signal otherwise it will just sit like a dumb shit. You might be able to accomplish it with an internal interface as well but it gets trickier that way... The originating interface must have 2 discrete toslink out's to make it work in any case. You'll also have to have an audio app of some sort running on the receiving computers to record the signals coming in the toslink ports.

 

Last edited: Feb 28, 2025

Please post a link to any mainboard with optical in.

No.

 

IconnectAudio Interfaces have been able to do this for years.

https://www.iconnectivity.com/products/audio/iconnectaudio4plus

I've been using the iConnectaudio4+ for many years and it will connect 2 PC, MAC, iOS devices simultaneously, meaning BOTH devices can use the interface at the same time.

 

Totally agree. I know theoretically it is not directly the same thing it can already be done with VMWare. However, in an office most people have no idea that a lot of the machines they think are servers are only virtual servers.

I actually have a scenario where in theory two computers are sharing the same audio card and they can both use it simultaneously. Probably the only critical thing I can think of that might stop a physical hardware equivalent from working, would be if the audio settings were set to exclusivity. I guess I have to show I'm not talking out of my ass... Screenshot.
In a virtual machine, it renames the audio device but it definitely can use it simultaneously. The focusrite in the main host machine and as you can see on the left, the right VM specifying the same sound device.

i do not imagine it would be too different as you suggested with more details.

 

Last edited: Feb 28, 2025

The control of the Motu AVB interface is done via an HTTP web panel. A wireless option can be added which allows control over the mixer and all routing via Wifi by any device with software and on the wlan.

Those saying no want both DAW computers (as an example) to each have "control" over the interface and have it listed in the preferences menu of their DAW. With the HTTP panel controlled i/o routing and mixer, neither machine needs to be "in control" of the interface to have full i/o functionality. Once it is configured correctly, it does not even need a computer monitor attached to it and still 2 computers or more may be connected and recording simultaneously. Dante devices are more expensive than AVB, by alot; but can still do all this stuff.

Low effort questions do not demand high effort answers.

 

Yep. Just chimed in to say you are right. Those who say otherwise probably have never used such a device before.
The fundamental rule is: Any AVB/Dante network audio interface can be used/accessed simultaneously by any or all computers on the same network.

 

Last edited: Feb 28, 2025