Question Audio Puzzle - Game in Stereo, Podcast in Mono ?

[Dylan Beckett]

Hello

How can I both; play a game (in Stereo); and also listen to a podcast (in Mono) - at the same time on my Windows 11 PC?
And yes - playback must be through the PC - not another device.

I'm posting this here as most solutions for Win 10 are often the same as for Win 11... and more folks use 10.

While there are games which I'd never listen to podcasts whilst playing - there are some where it's totally fine (doesn't ruin it).

When I play games through my PC Speakers - it's very annoying listening to most podcasts - as the audio mix is soo spread out from left to right - with next to nothing in the middle.
This is because - often one persons voice mainly comes through the left speaker; and the other persons voice mainly comes through the right speaker.

Which means you are often left listening to long segments only in the left or right speaker... it sucks.
It feels incredibly unbalanced, and annoying this way... it's something you don't notice anywhere near as much with headphones, a TV or phone etc.

I have headphones, but prefer Speakers for certain games where it's not a handicap - as headphones can give me bad headaches.


I mostly play games via Steam.. but also Epic, Ubi etc...

I am using a specific Android Podcast app called Pocket Casts. I'm running it in Windows via Bluestacks.
I want to use the Pocket Casts app specifically - as I stream podcasts (rather than download); and it has a lot of favourites etc set up.

However, I could also use the web version of the app instead via a browser if really necessary... though I'd prefer the app.


I would like to be able to listen to the audio from Pocket Casts in Mono only - without having to force ALL windows audio into Mono too?
I can't see any solution either on the PC or Android (I've looked). And no, there is no Mono setting in the Pocket Casts app.

Is there any way I can do this?


BTW, I'd also love to know the answer to doing the same thing as above/similar - but on my Android Phone as well?

Instead of gaming, it'd be both watching Youtube, and listening to the podcast at the same time... or only listening to the podcast on its own... but I still don't want to have to set the entire phone to Mono just to do it.


Any ideas?


Thank you for your help

 

[Ralston18]

I would not expect that to be possible.

Mono and stereo use different connectivity.

You might be able to combine audio sources via a physical mixer along with the applicable/required plugs and cables.

However, that is more problematic with the requirement forcing use of the PC speakers.

FYI regarding audio plugs and connections:

https://www.cablechick.com.au/blog/understanding-trrs-and-audio-jacks/

Moving post from Windows 10 to Home & Theater. More applicable category.

Will defer to the audio community regarding other ideas and suggestions with respect to software, hardware, and audio cables/plugs.

 

[Dylan Beckett]

Hi @Ralston18 ,

thanks for the reply... yeah, I can't find a good way around it either.

BTW, cabling isn't really the issue here... I certainly don't want to make all my sound mono for everything via cabling etc. And definitely want to avoid the external mixing... just too much hassle. But an idea nonetheless.

Any one up in here got any ideas?


Thank you for your help