How do I play two audio sources at the same time on my Samsung?

This article will explain how to play two audio sources simultaneously on a Samsung device. We’ll cover the different methods you can use, including Samsung’s built-in audio apps, split screen mode, Bluetooth connections, Smart View, audio focus settings, third party audio mixing apps, and automation apps.

The goal is to provide Samsung users with a comprehensive guide to playing two audio streams at the same time, whether it’s music, podcasts, audiobooks, or videos. We’ll go over the pros and cons of each method so you can choose the right approach for your specific needs.

By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to seamlessly play multiple audio sources together on your Samsung for enhanced multitasking and enjoyment.

Check Audio Sources

When trying to play two audio sources at once on a Samsung device, it’s important to first understand what audio sources are available. The main options are:

  • The built-in smartphone speaker – This allows audio to be played out loud directly from the phone.
  • Wired headphones – Connecting wired headphones to the headphone jack disables the built-in speaker and outputs audio directly to the headphones.
  • Bluetooth headphones/speakers – Samsung devices can pair with Bluetooth headphones, speakers, and other devices to stream audio wirelessly.
  • External speakers – Audio can be played through external speakers connected via Bluetooth, WiFi, or an audio cable.

The smartphone speaker and wired headphones allow one audio stream at a time. However, Bluetooth and external speakers can enable multiple simultaneous audio streams. This allows you to play two separate audio sources at the same time. Understanding these output options is the first step to achieving dual audio on a Samsung device.

Samsung Audio Apps

Samsung devices come with the Samsung Music app pre-installed as the default music player. This app provides basic music playback features and integration with Samsung services. However, many users prefer installing third-party apps that offer more customization options and advanced features.

Some popular third-party music apps for Samsung devices include:

Compared to the stock Samsung Music, third-party alternatives provide more ways to customize and enhance the listening experience. Features like advanced audio effects, tag editing, and library management make them popular choices among audiophiles.

Split Screen Mode

One way to play two audio sources simultaneously on a Samsung device is by using Split Screen mode, also known as Multi Window. This feature allows you to view two apps side-by-side on a split screen

To use Split Screen for playing two audio apps:

  1. Open the first audio app you want to use (like Spotify or YouTube Music)
  2. Swipe in from the right side of the screen and hold to activate the Multi Window tray
  3. Tap on the second audio app icon to open it
  4. Both apps will now display side-by-side on a split screen
  5. Play audio in one app, then start playback in the second app
  6. Use the divider bar in between to adjust sizing if needed

This allows you to play music, podcasts, YouTube videos, or other audio simultaneously. You can control the audio levels and playback of each app independently while using split screen mode. Just note that audio may duck and fade between the two apps periodically as only one app can use the audio focus at a time.

Bluetooth Connections

One way to play two audio sources simultaneously on your Samsung device is by connecting to multiple Bluetooth audio devices. Most modern Samsung smartphones and tablets support a feature called Dual Audio or Dual Bluetooth Audio, which allows you to stream audio to two Bluetooth devices at the same time.

To use Dual Audio, first make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your Samsung device. Go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth and turn on Bluetooth. Next, pair your two Bluetooth audio devices (speakers, headphones, etc) to your Samsung device. Once paired, open the media app you want to play audio from and start playback. Tap the media output icon (may look like a Bluetooth symbol or cast icon), and you should see your two paired Bluetooth devices listed. Check the box next to each device to connect them for dual audio streaming.

With both devices connected, the audio from your Samsung will now play through both outputs simultaneously. You can control the volume and playback independently on each Bluetooth device. Keep in mind that both devices need to support the A2DP Bluetooth profile for audio streaming over Bluetooth.

Dual Audio allows you to essentially turn your Samsung device into a two-channel audio source. This is useful for scenarios like listening on headphones while a speaker plays out loud, or connecting two speakers for stereo sound. Just make sure your Bluetooth audio devices are within range of your Samsung device to maintain a stable connection. With Dual Audio, you’re no longer limited to a single audio output source.

Sources:

https://www.samsung.com/latin_en/support/mobile-devices/how-can-i-use-dual-audio-to-share-media-on-multiple-devices/


https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00087863/

Smart View

One of the easiest ways to play audio from your Samsung device through your TV is by using Smart View. Smart View is Samsung’s built-in screen mirroring application that comes pre-installed on most of their smart devices and smart TVs (source). To use Smart View to play audio:

  1. Make sure both your Samsung device and TV are connected to the same WiFi network.
  2. Open the notification shade on your Samsung device and tap the Smart View icon.
  3. Select your Samsung TV from the list of available devices.
  4. Your device’s screen will now be mirrored to your TV display. Any audio playing on your device will also play through your TV speakers.
  5. You can now open a music app or audio file on your phone as usual and the sound will be heard through your TV.

The benefit of using Smart View for audio is that it works seamlessly with minimal setup required. As long as your Samsung devices are on the same WiFi network, you can quickly cast audio from your phone, tablet, etc to your TV with just a tap. No cables, adapters or external devices needed. Smart View also allows you to control playback right from your phone.

Audio Focus

When multiple apps attempt to play audio at the same time on an Android device, the system needs to determine which app should have priority access to the audio output. This is managed through a system called audio focus in Android.

By default, audio from different apps is mixed together by the system. However, apps can request audio focus when they need exclusive access to the audio channel. This will pause audio playback in other apps temporarily until the app holding audio focus releases it.

There are several audio focus requests apps can make such as gaining transient focus to play short sounds or gaining permanent focus for long media playback. Apps should always check if they have audio focus before playing audio and release the focus when done.

To handle audio focus between multiple media apps, developers need to properly implement request and release audio focus lifecycle methods. They also need to gracefully handle audio focus denied scenarios by pausing playback.

With proper audio focus management, multiple Android apps can coordinate shared use of the audio channel.

Audio Mixing Apps

One of the best ways to play two audio sources simultaneously on a Samsung device is by using a dedicated DJ or audio mixing app. Apps like DJay allow you to load two or more audio tracks or playlists and crossfade between them.

DJay has native support for many pro DJ controllers and turntables, making it easy to mix and scratch your music like a DJ. The app includes Automix AI that can mix tracks automatically for you. There are also intuitive controls for EQ, filters, loops, cues and more to tweak your mixes.

DJay has both free and paid versions. The free version has all the key mixing capabilities but the paid Pro version ($4.99) unlocks additional features like high definition audio, MIDI learn, and integration with music services like Spotify, Tidal and SoundCloud.

Overall, DJay is a very full-featured and professional quality DJ app for Android. With two audio sources loaded, you can mix between them, play them simultaneously, or make perfect transitions from one to the other.

Automation Apps

One of the best ways to play two audio sources simultaneously on a Samsung device is by using automation apps like Bixby Routines. Bixby Routines allows you to set up triggers and actions to automate various functions on your device.

You can create a Bixby Routine that will open two audio apps and begin playing them at the same time whenever a specific trigger occurs. For example, you could set it to open Spotify and YouTube and start playing music/video when you connect Bluetooth headphones.

To set this up in Bixby Routines:

  • Open Bixby Routines and tap “Add routine”
  • Choose “Bluetooth device connected” as the trigger
  • Add actions to “Open app” for Spotify and YouTube
  • Add action to “Play audio” for both apps

You can also set other triggers like time of day or opening a specific app. Bixby offers robust customization for automating multi-audio playback [1].

Other automation apps like MacroDroid and Tasker can also schedule routines to open and play multiple audio sources simultaneously. The benefit of using Bixby is that it’s pre-loaded on Samsung devices.

Conclusion

In summary, there are a few different ways to play two audio sources simultaneously on Samsung devices. The easiest options are to use split screen mode, install a third party audio mixing app, or use Bluetooth to connect to two sets of speakers or headphones at once. Smart View can also stream audio to external devices while playing media on your Samsung. When using multiple apps, pay attention to audio focus to ensure both sources play properly. With the right setup, you can seamlessly merge and control two audio streams on your Samsung.

Some final tips are: adjust volume levels in your device settings or in each app, use equalizers to balance the audio, and consider connecting wired headphones to your device while also streaming Bluetooth for maximum flexibility. With a bit of experimenting, you should be able to achieve a setup that allows you to hear two separate audio sources clearly on your Samsung device.

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