Volume

[ciphergoth]

Between the MP3 file and the speakers there are no fewer than seven different volume controls. One is on the MP3 application itself. Two in the Linux kernel, "master" and "PCM". Then it comes out of the sound card and into Kitty's mixer, where it goes past a "gain" dial, a level slider and a crossfader. Finally the amplifier which feeds the speakers has a standard issue dial on the front.

Many of them don't like being right at the top; you have to push them up until it sounds nasty. I get that "all life is misdesigned" feeling.

I have a note in my brain to quote purplerabbits as saying "You wouldn't want an off-centre badger spinning mechanism!". I have no idea why now, but anyway, there's an item off my TODO list.

Comments

[zotz]

The gain and volume controls have to cope with the fact that there are likely to be a variety of input levels. If you allow enough leeway to play a quiet input at reasonable volume, then you allow the amplifiers to be overdriven from a high input level. I don't think there's any way around it.

The multiplicity of gain and volume controls in that particular system, meanwhile, comes from the fact that the signal's running (for convenience) through more components than it strictly needs to. There's no reason (in principle) why the line out from the computer couldn't go straight to a power amp, apart from that you'd do a lot of plugging and unplugging to use another source. That would cut the number to three.

[gnomatron.livejournal.com]

You could use an amp with multiple inputs and a switch, like I do. That'd cut out the mixer, and is well within the capability of most decent amps. Mine is a fairly cheap one from Richer Sounds - ~100 quid - and has 5 inputs, not all of which are useful, but it does the job.

[zotz]

I think (as I recall, anyway) they already are - the mixer's there to provide more flexible volume controls rather than just more inputs.