Windows 7 Volume Control

AtotehZ · Apr 28, 2013

Hey guys,

I have been using Windows 7 for a while now and there's something that bothers me.

The volume control level is too high. If I set the master volume in windows to 2% sounds are often way high while 1% is too low. I am using Sennheiser HD 595 headphones and they don't have a separate volume slider.

In WinXP you had 2 sliders, master and wave. This gave more flexibility.

How can I modify the volume slider on my Win 7 OS?

lorenzlopez · Apr 29, 2013

have you tried opening the volume mixer?

AtotehZ · Apr 30, 2013

To be more clear...

The question is "How can I modify the volume slider?" I do know how to open it.

The answer is probably going to be 3rd party software, but I've failed to find any.

andrew_berge · Apr 30, 2013

So just to be sure, *everything* is too loud, correct?
Common problem, yours is a bit more extreme, though.

Google gives me this:
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/nircmd.html
The seventh line in the list on that page lets you set system volume. With 65535 steps available.
I've never tried the software, but found it recommended on a forum where someone had your problem.

AtotehZ · Apr 30, 2013

andrew_berge :

Neat program. It doesn't really help me though. It is just another way to set the master volume. It doesn't modify the levels.

Here's an example of what I am looking for and how it is now. The numbers are hypothetical.

Now:
1% = 10db
2% = 20db
etc...

What I want:
1% = 2db
2% = 4db
etc...

The steps have to be way smaller. I don't care if it affects the max volume. The max volume is devastating to my ears and distorted.

NirCmd does indeed let me set the slider to between 0-1 % and 1-2 %, but I would have to have a *.bat script for every desired sound level. I wouldn't be able to change the volume with my keyboard or volume slider.

andrew_berge · Apr 30, 2013

Well, it's all i've got.
Using software like Autohotkey you could smooth things out with Nircmd. You could reassign any volume keys you have to trigger Nircmd instead. Kind of stinks to have two extra processes running all the time, though.
http://www.autohotkey.com/

or you could buy an attenuator:
http://www.amazon.com/Koss-155954-VC20-Volume-Control/dp/B00001P4XH/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_1_2

WyomingKnott · May 9, 2013

Your original post says "In WinXP you had 2 sliders, master and wave. This gave more flexibility." So I'm assuming that you only see one.

If I click on the volume icon in the corral, I get a single slider. If I right-click on that icon and select "Open volume mixer," I get four sliders. If I right-click on that icon and select "Volume control options," I can change which devices appear in the mixer.

Does this help? I suspect that this is what lorenzlopez meant.

AtotehZ · May 21, 2013

WyomingKnott :

That is correct, but it does not help me. The Master volume controls these as well.

If you put Firefox on 10% for an instance, it would be the same as putting master volume at 10%. In fact, the master volume can't go lower than 10% with Firefox on 10%, Firefox volume would be lowered simultaneously as you turn master down. The opposite is also the case, if you have master and Firefox at 1% and increase Firefox to 10%, master will follow automatically.

In other words it has nothing to do with sensitivity.

andrew_berge · May 21, 2013

Hey, i mentioned using Autohotkey paired with Nircmd earlier, as it turns out, Autohotkey can do it on it's own.
This only works if you're running your script, though. You can't compile a standalone exe, i'm not totally sure why.

The code looks like this, you can use even lower decimal values if you want:
SoundSet +0.5

AtotehZ · May 21, 2013

andrew_berge :

This could work as a patch-it-up solution, but I can't make it work.
The following script should be enough to make it work:
$9::SoundSet +1
$0::SoundSet -1
;..but even this doesn't work.
;
;The optimal would be:
$Volume_Up::SoundSet +0.2
$Volume_Down::SoundSet -0.2
;this would use the media keys and have the correct step per instance of pressing the button.
;

andrew_berge · May 21, 2013

Odd, that code works perfectly on my system.
What are the dollar signs for? The manual says they're to prevent recursion, i don't think you need them.

http://www.autohotkey.com/docs/Hotkeys.htm#Symbols

AtotehZ · May 21, 2013

andrew_berge :

Simply habit

When you look through a long script it is easier to spot the beginning of the hotkeys if there's a sign in front of them. That is why I always use them unless I need a replacement symbol.

FletcherVK · Nov 13, 2015

I was looking for an answer to the same symptoms, same OS (win 7). My audio device is made by Realtek and it adds "Realtek HD Audio Manager" to the system icons. Right-clicking that icon, select "Audio Devices". Select the device in question (speakers) and click on "Properties". In the "Levels" tab there is a scroll-down list. (I just realized it was a scroll-down). The items at the bottom of the list are "center" "subwoofer" "rear" and "front". I believe "front" is used for simple speaker setups or simple headphones. I selected front and set it to 10. This allowed me to use my volume control like a normal person and it doesn't blow out my eardrums.

I know this thread is from 2013 but perhaps this will still be helpful to someone.

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