# PsychPortAudio can output to \>2 channels

**URL:** <https://psychtoolbox.discourse.group/t/psychportaudio-can-output-to-2-channels/5001>\
**Category:** Hardware\
**Tags:** windows\
**Created:** [May 25, 2023, 4:29pm UTC](https://psychtoolbox.discourse.group/t/psychportaudio-can-output-to-2-channels/5001 "2023-05-25T16:29:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jacanterbury](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/psychtoolbox.discourse.group/jacanterbury/32/433_2.png) [@jacanterbury](https://psychtoolbox.discourse.group/u/jacanterbury)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2023, 4:29pm UTC](https://psychtoolbox.discourse.group/t/psychportaudio-can-output-to-2-channels/5001/1 "2023-05-25T16:29:57Z")

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Windows 10  
Matlab 2022B  
PsychtoolboxVersion : '3.0.18 - Flavor: beta - Corresponds to SVN Revision 13005

As I recall previously seeing a post or two relating to trying to work with more than 2 channels using PortAudio, I thought I’d post to say that I’m successfully working with 8 audio channels using a Creative SoundBlaster X4 USB connected surround sound box on Windows 10 & 11 systems (one is a laptop which is nice for portability).

It has 4 stereo outputs that can each easily be split to left and right to give 8 channels and was easy to get working.

No noticable latency though I guess there may be more than on a dedicated sound card.

Warning, it didn’t work properly using the 2015-2022 redistributable libraries but works a treat with the 2015-2019 ones.

Also, make sure that you don’t enable surround sound in Windows (I assume this would cause problems)

Cheers,  
John