JAWS - Using the sound splitter feature

JAWS - Using the sound splitter feature

Problem

A JAWS user wants to work with an application eg Teams or Zoom where they will have call audio and JAWS at the same time and wish to manage the sound of the two.

Applies to

  1. JAWS

Resolution

The sound splitter is a convenient tool provided in JAWS to allow the user to position JAWS audio and any other sound from an online call to opposites sides of s stereo headset.  This can increase the legibility of each so tghat users may navigate a text chat stream whilst still listening to online call audio.  

  1. Press JAWSKey+SPACEBAR to activate layered commands.
  2. Press letter V to activate the volume layer, then letter B for Balance.
  3. Press the RIGHT ARROW key to steer JAWS speech to the right channel, or press LEFT ARROW to steer it to the left channel.  Which ever is chosen the call audio will then be routed to the opposite channel to JAWS speech.
  4. When you want to restore balance, press JAWSKey+SPACEBAR, then V, B, followed by UP ARROW.  Audio will then be restored to both channels as before.

Selecting a soundcard for speech

In some circumstances a JAWS user may wish to select a different soundcard for JAWS speech to be output from.

  1. Press JAWSKey+SPACEBAR to activate the command layer mode.
  2. Press letter V to activate the volume layer, then letter C to access the sound cards layer.
  3. Press UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW keys to navigate the list of available sound devices.
  4. When the desired sound device is reached press ESCAPE key.

Further reading

Freedom Scientific have provided information on using sound splitter, in addition to which provides a list of suggested headsets for use with online calls and sound splitter feature:
  1. https://blog.freedomscientific.com/increase-productivity-with-new-sound-features-in-jaws-and-fusion-2022/

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