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I'm looking for a Windows 7 tray app to easily switch between audio sources, i.e. speakers, HDMI, USB headset etc.

Any suggestions?

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What kind of audio sources? What is it supposed to do? – Ivo Flipse Feb 9 '10 at 13:53
Isn't it a default feature? – fluxtendu Feb 9 '10 at 16:03

5 Answers

up vote 2 down vote accepted

Did you want to switch sources our outputs?

For switching outputs, try this:

  • Right click on the speaker icon in the tray.
  • Choose "playback devices".
  • Select from the list of playback devices (speakers, hdmi, usb headset,) (the device you want)
  • Choose "Set Default"
  • Your audio output will instantly switch.

If you need to switch inputs:

  • Open volume mixer
  • Mute or lower the level on the sources you don't want.

If you do this a lot, and are looking for an app to save you those two extra clicks, this blog post shows three products that quickly switch audio outputs for Vista and XP.

If you find that one of those three apps works well on Windows 7 please let us know.

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Too slow, but thanks I wrote my own program that can do it in less clicks... – JL. Feb 9 '10 at 19:44
1  
What API did you use? AutoHotKey or something? I'm also now looking for a way to do it faster, but the IMMDeviceEnumerator::GetDefaultAudioEndpoint doesn't have a corresponding SetDefaultAudioEnpoint, and the documentation explicitly says that the user can only set the default through the OS, implying that a shortcut app wouldn't be able to do this at all. (unless you automate OS keys and clicks like AutoHotkey or something.) – DanO Feb 10 '10 at 23:11

You are looking for this.

http://coastalaudiochanger.wordpress.com

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Here's a freeware app that will do it: Vista Audio Changer

Vista Audio Changer is a system tray application that can change the default sound output device in Windows Vista at the click of a mouse.

enter image description here

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http://www.sevenforums.com/customization/65079-anyway-use-hotkeys-switch-sound-output.html#post581797

is another option where ALT + 1 (or whatever position the output is on the control panel dialog list is) will switch audio outputs. Just place in the windows startup folder...

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If you find yourself in need of doing this on a Mac, just press ALT and then click the volume control at the top of the screen. A menu with different I/O options will appear. You never know...

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