I used to share speakers with my soundcard but it got to be a PITA.
so I use the onboard chip with pc speakers for WMP, or online listening and I have a separate pair of KRK's running off my Focusrite. never any issues.

chuckebaby
I used to share speakers with my soundcard but it got to be a PITA.
so I use the onboard chip with pc speakers for WMP, or online listening and I have a separate pair of KRK's running off my Focusrite. never any issues.

Exactly! There is another issue that this approach solves. Windows will change the sample rate depending on the source. This is a problem if you also use the same setup for your DAW. 

+1, it is also an issue with driver mode used and that being "default" in Windows also lets Windows control the device rather than simply making it available for use by programs of your choosing.

John
 
Exactly! There is another issue that this approach solves. Windows will change the sample rate depending on the source. This is a problem if you also use the same setup for your DAW. 

Some manufacturers (i.e. RME) don't recommend using their audio interfaces as the default Windows sound system/driver.
^^This is one of the reasons.
I also use a second sound card/interface as the default for Windows and never had any problems.
So, trying to use the onboard chip exclusively for Windows is not a bad advice, I think.
 
Best,
Klaus
 

Klaus

John
 
Exactly! There is another issue that this approach solves. Windows will change the sample rate depending on the source. This is a problem if you also use the same setup for your DAW. 

Some manufacturers (i.e. RME) don't recommend using their audio interfaces as the default Windows sound system/driver.
^^This is one of the reasons.
I also use a second sound card/interface as the default for Windows and never had any problems.
So, trying to use the onboard chip exclusively for Windows is not a bad advice, I think.
 
Best,
Klaus
 

That makes a lot of sense to me. 

Makes perfect sense to me. Thanks for the great advice. Another bonus is I can power-down the 18i20 between sessions. Thanks again!!!

And finally, Realtek and Focusrite existing side by side. It's a wonderful thing!

woodenmusic
And finally, Realtek and Focusrite existing side by side. It's a wonderful thing!

That is very good to hear. I'm so glad you found a way to do this. And yes I do that too. Power down what I'm not using. 

I'm really glad that this solution works for you.
 
Depending on the motherboard, it is possible to run into problems when the onboard soundchip shares the same IRQ as your audio interface.
Since you can't reassign IRQs anymore when you use ACPI, it's sometimes a bit of hit and miss...
 
But when it works, it works! 
 
Best,
Klaus
 

The IRQ should not pop up as an issue (famous last words), but what I have seen is Windows reassigning the "default" as it sees fit unless one is specifically assigned as default by the user (at least in Win7). The way to do this is to have both devices online and visible to Windows; and even if the correct one is default (Realtek HD) in Windows Sound Card properties, assign the other (audio interface), and then assign the Realtek HD again... that way the user explicitly chose "Realtek HD" as the default and it should stick from that point going forward.
 
After doing this, Windows should never "take control" of the audio interface on you, just make it available for use.