Volume Control Level Range Inquiry

[cmx]

Not sure exactly where to put this one...I do need help understanding how things work.

Volume Control...

The issue I have is that at the "low end" of the scale there is simply not enough range.

In use this presents itself by the fact that I can't set my system to really low volume levels with the MM UI. It is either too loud or mutes completely. I've used the EQ to lower the output level and then I have more "range" to work with on the low side but on the high volume end is then too low level....

Is this a clear explanation?

Is there another adjustment I could make on my end?

Could it be possible to have "flatter" volume increase on the low level end and more exponential on the "high" end of the scale? Sorta related inversely to the way we perceive loudness? The higher the sound pressure the "more" sound pressure that is needed for a perceived loudness increase....so the "POT" UI should have more "range" at the low sound level....

Thanks for any help on this.

[rovingcowboy]

go to my control panel.

go to mulitimedia or sounds.

look for the tab for speakers click the advanced button.

slide those volume levels to a louder place.

that will boost the computers setting which will help.

[cmx]

Roving thanks for input. The settings you mentioned have always been set at maximum on all systems running MM. I was wondering if there was something within MM itself that could give more precise control of its output. It relates to the way MM regulates its output not the hardware of the computer or amplifiers. There is just not enough precision at lower output levels...its linear which does not relate directly to the perceived sound pressure generated at the speakers...

If I set MM EQ to 0db boost and then set my amps to maximum safe output level when MM's UI volume control is at max....I simply do not have enough precision at the low end of the MM UI...the output level from MM to my system is at a relatively high volume level at the low end then just cuts off...its either off or too loud.

[rovingcowboy]

not sure why that is.? i know there was an plugin for winamp that was an eq. that had like 32 level freq sliders.
it worked in mm 2.5 not sure if it works in mm 3. but you could try that one and see if the sound is louder.

it could also be a setting on one of the plugins that might be causing it to be low? not sure which one if any but worth a check of them.

you sure its not some setting on your sound card? does it have a built in equalizer?
if so try turning it on and setting it. then set the one in monkey,
that is what i do with the turtle beach card i have.

[cmx]

Thanks roving. It does not appear to be hardware related here. The same behavior occurs on four different machines in the same manner.

For want of better terms MM's output behaves in a "stepped" manner. I was just wondering if there was some way to accomplish a smoother "roll off" at the low end of the volume range. Possibly it is related to the output plugin? I use two different plugin at different times and they appear to function the same. Is this something that can be addressed with the software?
Does anyone else notice this bahavior?

I have always dealt with it by adjusting the absolute volume control level at the amplifier...a much lower volume level there gives me more range at low levels when using the MM volume level.

[nohitter151]

I don't think theres really anything you can do about this. I'm not sure if the volume bar in MM is exponential or linear but I'm not aware of any way you can change this. If you need finer volume control your best bet is probably to adjust the volume on the external speakers.

[cmx]

Thanks for the response nohitter.

Yes adjusting the amplifier levels is what I have always done as posted.

I'm just posting for:
Info on possible settings I have missed.
Corroboration of the behavior from other users.
Specific explanation as to this function in MM.
User feedback for possible enhancements and improvements in this area of interest to me.

[Just JP]

This method works for me and I believe it allows for better sound and finer adjustment.

I always keep the volume on MM at 100% and adjust levels with whatever I am listening to the music on, such as a laptop, desktop or audio component. This is the recommended method when using portable devices connected to audio equipment through headphone out. This way you are providing a the device that is producing the sound a full signal and are using one volume control and not two.

Jim

[chrisjj]

The issue I have is that at the "low end" of the scale there is simply not enough range.

Same here. The cause seems to be the volume control seems is linear rather than logarithmic as per real-world volume controls. Why MM's control was designed like this, I cannot fathom.

[cmx]

I'M NOT GONNA LET THIS ONE GO...LOL

I recently moved my "office" and relocated the amplifiers and routers. The new office location is much closer to some of the built in house speakers. The amplifiers and routers are much farther away and pretty much locked up. The inability to lower the volume adequately with MM has become kind of a problem.

Thanks to all for the solutions input....but I simply need better range control from MM. Currently I use the EQ preamp to cut the signal -20db when I need low volume control....but its pretty cumbersome. When I close MM and restart later I forget the settings...other users in the house aren't aware of the settings on a particular computer... we use several instances of MM from several computers...if someone wants to get the Led out its possible to nuke windows!!!..lol ...there is also huge track level differences in my collection and leveling everything is out of the question.

Devs? Log pot control? Just a "standard" full range volume control is needed. Ideas?

[chrisjj]

> Devs? Log pot control? Just a "standard" full range volume control is needed. Ideas?

First let's be sure the resolution is even available. I.e. does your Windows WAV out go to the low volume you need?

[cmx]

uhhhhh....

Not sure what you are asking. Its all relative, it appears to me...with MM's output control at the nexus.

I utilize any of four different computers running MM using Remote Speakers output.dll to an Airport express which feeds a stereo signal to a Sony Media Amp(which feeds other stuff, but is essentially the speaker driver).

Possibly the specific output.dll would have to handle this granularity/level issue...not sure but no matter the output driver I use
the "pre-amp" function of MM affects the ultimate output level of the MM control...

I don't have any computer directly connected to the power amplifier so I can't give you a real world answer to the specific question...I don't know if the "range" of the wav outputs of the computers would give the necessary latitude.

The not really sure how the "absolute" output level from the actual audio chips onboard the specific computers output is...might be "stepped" etc...MM appears to have no affect of the WAV output level on any of the computers I looked at, they remain static.

Just need MM's "volume bar" to roll off smoother on the lower end...with better range. If I can accomplish it with variable EQ boost levels I assume it could be integrated into the volume bar range itself.

Thanks for the discussion, open to any explanation as to how things operate and what can be expected.

[chrisjj]

> Not sure what you are asking. Its all relative, it appears to me...with MM's output control at the nexus.

I'm asking you to see if you get from the Windows volume control the range control you find you cannot get from MM's.

'Cos if not, then the issue is probably down to your OS/drivers/hardware rather than MM.

[cmx]

I can't see how it could be hardware/os/driver etc dependant.....possibly output.dll....

MM appears to be taking the output level range starting at a specific db level and going from 0-100% ...evidently in 1% increments. Take the same slice and give me 0.1% increments that would do probably it...or rolloff logrithmically starting with 1% at high volume end with higher granularity at the low volume level.

I'm able to get the output range I need with pre-amp EQ but at the cost of absolute level. Its granularity at the low levels that is my problem, 1% increments are not fine enough.

1% of my amplifiers and speakers is still pretty loud...I need 0.1%

[chrisjj]

> I can't see how it could be hardware/os/driver etc dependant.....

I can see you can't see. But still I suggest you try the test on Windows before jumping to the conclusion that this is an MM problem.