http://blogs.technet.com/b/jamesone/archive/2009/11/21/a-windows-7-trick-for-multiple-sound-cards.aspxI’ve mentioned here before background noise drives me nuts (it’s one of boxes that gets ticked doing Asperger’s questionnaires). Some noise in the office is unavoidable, but it’s long been my view that filling other peoples workspace with noise from youren-USTelligent Evolution Platform Developer Build (Build: 5.6.50428.7875)http://blogs.technet.com/b/jamesone/archive/2009/11/21/a-windows-7-trick-for-multiple-sound-cards.aspx#3295862Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:47:55 GMTd5e57398-b9ef-4490-9955-07cbb4e4a80d:3295862Ed<p>Something easier. Just change the icon in the Control Panel. I have USB headphones and an analog 5.1 speakers in Vista. My headphones have a different icon. Looks like a headphone set.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://blogs.technet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=3295862" width="1" height="1">http://blogs.technet.com/b/jamesone/archive/2009/11/21/a-windows-7-trick-for-multiple-sound-cards.aspx#3295603Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:01:13 GMTd5e57398-b9ef-4490-9955-07cbb4e4a80d:3295603ThomasL<P>Vista and W7 have excellent handling of multiple sound devices.</P> <P>My circumstances are different than yours, but I also have occasion to use several devices simultaneously. &nbsp;I'm able to play music out one sound card, standard Windows noises for new mail, IM, Skype rings etc. out another at lower volume, and Skype conversations through a headset, all automatically.</P> <P>Having that happen kind of behavior was much more complicated with XP, and required frequent fiddling with the settings. &nbsp;W7 (and Vista) require little to no fiddling once the default devices are set.</P><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://blogs.technet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=3295603" width="1" height="1">