How to increase max volume and decrease minimum volume

[ThumperSD]

I use W7's volume control for the studio monitors I use. It's not practical to use the knob on the monitors since it is located in the back.

The max volume (100%) in W7 is not loud enough while the minimum volume (0%) still makes sound when Id like it to be mute if it's at 0%

How can this be done?

 

[zekramcross]

Hi,
Did you make sure you upadated your sound card drivers from the manfacuter's website?

 

[Slam Dunk]

There is a pink or green cable.
Have you plugged in the green.
cause if not plugged in, the sound
may become quiet.
if not, right click on your sound icon
and put them all up to 100%
if not, then as zekramcross said
update your sound card drivers.

hope this helps.

 

[xarden]

How would you describe the sound when its at 0%? Is it just noise like a hum, or is it like its not at mute and you can still hear audio?

On your sound card, the green socket is for passive speakers. Generally this can get up to about 50W, and is advised not to be put through to an amplifier. You should use the Line Out socket instead, (blue, if memory serves correct). This will give a line level output which is nicer to amp.

You should then turn the Windows volume to around 90-95%, and play some normalised audio like an MP3 or CD. Next, turn the speakers up to as loud as you want the maximum to be.
The speakers are now your master volume output, so you shouldnt need to touch this anymore.

Now turn your Windows volume down to 0%. Do you still get any noise or audio?
If your using the Line Out port on the soundcard, you shouldnt hear anything.


The reason we went to 90-95% is for those days you have a good song, and want that extra 'boost'. Also, you shouldnt really have the Windows volume at 100% for extended periods of time, as this runs too much gain into your amp.

 

[zekramcross]

xarden is right thats why my volume right now is 85% instead of 100% becuase doing so runined my speakers and made me go out by new ones =( I really hope this doesn't happen to you or anybody else with a same problem(If my memory serves me right I think there is a thread already about this not sure though..).

Also test xarden's steps and see what you get out of it.

 

[ThumperSD]

I dont have regular speakers. I have BX5a studio monitors. I am using a dual 1/4 to 1/8 (3.5mm) cable connected to my Asus Xonar DX. Drivers are up to date.

I would rather increase the volume in windows than on the monitors themselves. Each monitor has it's own knob so it's not very practical to balance them every time I want to increase/decrease volume.

When it is at 0%, there is no hum. It is just like a very low volume, but not completely muted.

I am using these:
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studi...EBM0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288768082&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP159-Stereo-8In-Mono/dp/B000068O3C/ref=pd_bxgy_MI_img_c

 

[Slam Dunk]

Oh right, I didn't know. Sorry.
I don't know what to suggest.

 

[xarden]

I would rather increase the volume in windows than on the monitors themselves. Each monitor has it's own knob so it's not very practical to balance them every time I want to increase/decrease volume.

You shouldnt need to set it everytime. Just the once to calibrate the max level you want.
The controlling of the volume when it needs to be controlled is through Windows.

Think of it as a hall, or theatre. The monitors are the front of house speakers, which have been set only once, and the only other times they get touched is to get powered on/off. And your PC as the sounddesk, which all applications, guitars, singers are controlled by.

 

[zekramcross]

Hmm.. so your using a home audio system...

Do you have an audio reciever with those speakers if so try messing with the knob on that if you don't have one then, I don't know what to say at this point except going with xarden's plan and see if that works.

 

[xarden]

Zek, it looks like those speakers are active, so he wouldnt need an audio reciever. They just need a line level signal.
From what I can tell, the cable he's using should suffice for the job.

 

[ThumperSD]

I would rather increase the volume in windows than on the monitors themselves. Each monitor has it's own knob so it's not very practical to balance them every time I want to increase/decrease volume.

You shouldnt need to set it everytime. Just the once to calibrate the max level you want.
The controlling of the volume when it needs to be controlled is through Windows.

Think of it as a hall, or theatre. The monitors are the front of house speakers, which have been set only once, and the only other times they get touched is to get powered on/off. And your PC as the sounddesk, which all applications, guitars, singers are controlled by.

I understand but if I calibrate it to the max level I desire, my 0% volume will be louder, which will not fix my problem. My 0% volume already has a quiet sound. I want it to be muted when it's at 0%.

 

[ThumperSD]

Hmm.. so your using a home audio system...

Do you have an audio reciever with those speakers if so try messing with the knob on that if you don't have one then, I don't know what to say at this point except going with xarden's plan and see if that works.

Yea receiver is not needed. It's not really a home audio system, more of a music producer's studio monitors. It's used to edit and find flaws in music and stuff.

 

[xarden]

I understand but if I calibrate it to the max level I desire, my 0% volume will be louder, which will not fix my problem. My 0% volume already has a quiet sound. I want it to be muted when it's at 0%.

I believe that would have something to do with Windows communicating to the sound card itself.
Likely a driver issue, which is outside the scope of my expertise.

 

[ThumperSD]

I know it's not a driver issue. I have connected other speakers to this exact setup just weeks ago with no problem. Max volume was higher than I wanted and minimum volume has NO sound (which is what I want).

I guess I'll just have to adjust the knob in the back of my studio monitors then.

 

[Aphelion]

I dont have regular speakers. I have BX5a studio monitors. I am using a dual 1/4 to 1/8 (3.5mm) cable connected to my Asus Xonar DX. Drivers are up to date.

It sounds like you have "Loudness Equalization" active.. except, I'm not sure if the Xonar drivers integrate with the Win Seven's audio system in such a way that you have any of the Windows 7 Enhancements.

Loudness Equalization is another name for compression & level limiting.

The Xonar is Win-7's default audio device, right?

Right click on the Microsoft Speaker icon and select "Playback Devices", single left click on your default audio device... "Speakers" ? Then select the "Properties" button.

There should be an Enhancements tab, select it and scroll down the list of Enhancements, (first select "immediate mode) see if you have Loudeness Equalization enabled.

Or if it's even there.. I don't know if this is even applicable with the Xonar card.

If not, maybe there's something similar in the Xonar's audio control panel.

Ap

 

[ThumperSD]

^ Actually I never disabled the onboard sound when I installed my Xonar. I never found the need to however since my Xonar has not given any problems so far. But I will look into what you mentioned when I get home.