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For some reason, I seem to be unable to use both line in and mic in at the same time. My computer seems to lump them together as a single audio device, Realtek HD Audio Input. I need to take these inputs and use them at the same time, but for separate purposes. I do not want my line audio playing over the mic, and vice-versa.

So my question is, if there is no workaround as-is, can I use a PCI sound card at the same time as my motherboard sound? Would the card show up in my selectable audio devices as a totally separate thing? Would my current motherboard sound work exactly the same way it has been?

 

Here's my motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128052

I have the same motherboard.  I actually have Realtek HD Digital Input and Realtek HD Audio Input as seperate choices.  I've never tried to play with it to see what the difference is.  I do know that it's pretty much impossible to use both the Line-in and the Mic ports on the back at the same time since they're seen as the same audio device.  However, if you use the front ports connector, I think you'd get the extra port you're looking for.  I think the rear and front audio are seperate devices.  You may have to enable both HD and AC '97 (or whatever it's called) in the CMOS settings to make it work(again, I haven't tried to do this).  I should note that adding a PCI card also works.  I currently use an Audigy 4 in mine.  The Audigy outputs sound to my surround sound speakers while the onboard is used for my headset on Vent.  This allows me to keep my conversation separate.

It would be PERFECT if the front audio ports worked (I bought a headset with analog mic and line jacks to replace my USB headset specifically for this purpose). Thing is, I don't know why they don't work. They're connected to the motherboard. I can't find settings for them in the BIOS anywhere, or the AC '97. Hmm.

I don't remember where the setting is but it sounds like your problem is that you haven't enabled it.  I have mine hooked up and it's working fine.

Personally, I hate Realtek with a passion.  Their drivers suck.  My previous board that had Realtek audio, I had to disable the onboard sound because it was causing my entire system to lock up a few seconds at a time whenever a wav file played and other such nonsense.  However, I don't have that problem with this board.  Since it has mostly worked without a problem, I deal with the crappy drivers because of the convenience of the front ports being on a seperate device.

I hope you figure out how to fix your settings.  I'd look it up but I really don't feel like rebooting and finding the setting again.  It's probably mention in the manual too. 

YES! It works!

 

 You have to DISABLE front panel detection, which sounds totally backwards to me. It's in the Realtek software in the I/O tab. THEN you have to go to the mixer tab and enable separate streaming for recording and playback. Madness. But it works. Front Pink has become its own audio device. Thanks for pushing me in the right direction!