Vista Volume Mixer adds per program volume control
Previous versions of Windows let you set the volume levels only for inputs (such as microphones) and outputs (such as speakers and headphones). The new Volume Mixer in Windows Vista lets you set volume levels for each program. While some programs offer the ability to control the program’s volume inside the program’s interface, some don’t. The new Volume Mixer makes it easier to control volume for every program in a single place.
The Volume Mixer shows the currently-running programs that make sound (a program shows up on the mixer the first time the program makes a sound). Simply adjust the volume for each program how you want it. And once you set the volume for a program, Windows remembers the setting.
To get the Volume Mixer, just click the speaker icon in the Notification Area (where the clock is) and then click Mixer at the bottom of the volume slider. Or, just hit Start and type sndvol in the Search box.
Hi!
Do you know how to “save” the Volume Mixer settings? The Mixer always seems to “forget” the adjustings at start-up…
I have the same problem. I don’t think it does save Mixer settings for individual programs. Instead, it looks like whenever they start, it sets them to the level of the main volume. I’ll check into it some more.
Hi, I accidentally ‘deactivated’ the mixer and now it’s gone. How can I can a reversal? Now it keeps saying No Audio Output Device is Installed.. Help pls
I have the same problem, even when I set the volume where I want it, Windows never remembers and randomly sets them for different applications. It’s very aggravating. If there are any solutions, please help!
Windows doesn’t randomly set them, but it also doesn’t exactly forget them. Rather, it seems to base the setting for a particular application relative to the master volume. Here’s an example:
The master volume is set at 50. You load up a game and set that games volume to 30. Now, use the slider to change the master volume and you’ll see that all the other volume levels change in relation to the master volume. So, you can set applications to different levels compared to each other, but when you adjust the master volume, it makes all apps that much louder or softer.
And it keeps these adjustments. Make some settings and close it. Now, mess around with your master volume level just by clicking the speaker icon and sliding the volume. Now, open mixer again and you should see that all those app volumes are still in the relative position you set them.
[...] Since my last article on Vista’s new Volume Mixer, I got a few comments from people saying that Vista didn’t remember their settings and just set volume for other apps somewhat randomly. But Volume Mixer does remember the settings, just not the way you might think. I thought I’d do a follow-up with a few more details about Vista Volume Mixer. Take a look at the picture below: [...]
Anyone knows if there is something like this but for windows xp (x64 the better)
Sorry about my english.
Hmm how can I put a mic device on that mixer list, when I record something even if I have set the volume to 20% at taskbar or controlpanel sound or hd sound icons, as I start recording it always resets the value to 100% messing up my recordings.
This mixer stinks. It does NOT remembered the volume settings for most programs. It is a real pain. I have to have the volume on speakers all of the way up in order to have full volume control over applications such as television, radio, and media player. But whenever I load up a new application it sets the volume to match the speaker volume. Or worse, a windows error or application error suddenly pops up and makes the windows shake it is so loud (not to mention the mood it puts my family in when it happens at 2am). Since in vista you can’t control application volume until the application is running, you get blasted every time. I have no idea why you can’t simply associate default volumes with services and applications. They could have at least included a default sound level for all new processes option…too obvious and simple I guess. The only alternative I have to random loud blasts of sound is to turn the volume down all of the time and give up multimedia in vista altogether.
If they couldn’t implement the audio per application right, why mess with it at all? With the old mixers you could just set your volumes the way you want and then control the volumes within the multimedia applications themselves.
Does anyone know how to disable the preview of the icon or thumbnail aka the logo of the program and just show text. I am having a very strange problem while viewing the volume mixer shown above.
as shown in this picture i have uploaded ….
http://pichostonline.com/u/081012/cb536b8c37.jpg
i was unable to insert a link but if anything has any ideas please help me as to i am out of ideas, i have reformatted and this is a recurring problem. I figure if there was a way to Hide the picture icons that would fix the problem.
NOTE: THIS PROBLEM IS ONLY VISUAL IN THAT IT DOES NOT DISABLE ME FROM USING THE FUNCTIONS OF THE VOLUME MIXER IT ONLY MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE I CANT SEE WHERE THE ARROW IS PLACING SOMETIMES IT LOOKS DISEAVING AND SOMETIMES THERE ARE TWO ARROWS.
DANIEL
DSW274@YAHOO.COM IF YOU CAN HELP THANKS
ellevelyn said …
Hi, I accidentally ‘deactivated’ the mixer and now it’s gone. How can I can a reversal? Now it keeps saying No Audio Output Device is Installed.. Help pls
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Hi Evelyn, and everyone else reading her question/ problem.
I have a Vista and I believe it should work in similar fashion with XP
I “RIGHT” click on My Computer, then on the left side I get link options:
*Device Manager
*Remote Settings
*System protection
*Advanced System Settings
I select the first option, Device Manager, then scroll down to:
“Sound, Video, and game controllers”
There you see the speaker Icon with an arrow pointing DOWN on it. Meaning it’s deactivated.
RIGHT click ON the speaker Icon, and select ENABLE
That should fix it. I may take a min to enable it, depending on your system configurations.
Tori
this really helped me i was wondering what was going on with my laptop, thankzz god i found this thread!!
I never change the relative settings on the volume mixer, I listen to one thing at a time. Nevertheless, windows keeps on changing the relative settings which is quite annoying and gives rise to unexpected faintness and sometimes very load things.
It would be useful if the person above who “accidentally deactivated it” would show me also how to deactivate it.
I have a problem where the volume mixer turns on/off apparently randomly. All apps can be turned off or on. Also, the volume, again for all open apps changes. When this happens a little pop up icon appears on the screen showing the volume and on/off status. So I know it is doing it, but not why. I can control the on/off and the volume from the tray, but the little pop up can come up several times a minute. But sometimes it doesn’t appear for weeks. It may be irrational, but I think it’s itunes related.
Any advice?
“Volume” displays every 2 seconds on my screen, and i can not get rid of it. Because I got a an HP Pavilion dv5, and it has those touch buttons above the key board, now VOLUME icon keeps displaying itself whenever it’s on.
Anyone who can help please:
nuri09460@hotmail.com
PLEASE! I really need the help. THANKS!
I also have all sorts of problems with the per-application volume settings. I wish I could just disable them and go back to simply a System volume, and let my apps with volume controls control their own volume internally.
Vista’s attempt at this (while seeming like a good idea) is way too much micro-management. And is broken, apps are constantly getting their sound turned down somehow even though I am always setting them to match the system volume (if system is at 30, I make sure all of my apps are at 30). In a couple days I may launch a program or game and find that it’s volume is at 10 (even though the system volume is still at 30 and I had set the app to 30 before).