DISCLAIMER: I have way too much time on my hands.
That said, I digress.
A few months ago I was presented with a simple dilemna that began with a desire to listen to my iPod Nano through my Altec-Lansing ATP3 speakers without un-hooking wires or reaching around the back of the computer. A trip to Radio Shack The Source found the Nexxtech Computer Audio Selector Box. I think I blogged about it before. It has two big buttons (A/B) on the front of it that let me select either the computer or an auxilliary as the source that feeds the speakers. I was pleased - momentarily - but I sought to improve on it.
I went out and bought an ARTcessories MacroMix. I’d link it, but due to the crappy architecture of their site, I can’t link it directly. Here’s the link from Sweetwater’s catalog with a decent picture.
I still use both of them. Sort of.
The Nexxtech box serves the sole purpose of extending the microphone input on the back of my computer around to the side of the MacroMix so the headphone jack on the Macromixer is in roughly the same postal code as the mic input on the Nexxtech switch.
My soon-to-be-replaced Plantronics football announcers headset has two plugs. One for audio and one for mic. The mic plug goes into the Nexxtech switch and the headphone jack goes into the headphone output on the front of the Macro Mix.
The Macromix has four inputs. Two are RCA stereo only, the third is RCA stereo “or” 1/4 inch mono, and the fourth is 1/4 mono only. I have the computer in Channel 1, and the iPod in Channel 2 and can mix them however I like. The rear output feeds the ATP 3’s and the front output feeds the headset. I also have two more inputs for other sources. Instruments? Sure. Why the hell not. I’m anxious to try it.
Since the headset and the speakers both have volume controls I can switch back and forth without much bother and I can have music from the iPod without squelching whatever sound is coming out of the computer.
It’s awesome. 
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