Any audio programs that can allow individual program volumes above 100

Darkness Muta · 14 Oct 2018

I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations for an audio program for Windows 10 (or at least compatible with it) that will allow you to adjust certain programs that are running to a volume level above 100%. I have a few games and things that seem to have low volume levels even when at 100% and I am trying to avoid having to constantly adjust my whole audio setup just for those few random oddities so a program would help.

I just found Volume Master for Chrome so that has helped with stuff like YouTube and Twitch but now would like to see if there is something similar anyone has used for specific programs in Windows.

dalchina · 15 Oct 2018

Hi, you could try Peace Equaliser - very comprehensive - don't know about >100 in particular. Free.

It says in help:
automation: you can let Peace automatically activate a configuration (equalization, etc.) when a program starts or a device is selected

So you could have it automatically enabled for particular progs apparently.

Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO download | SourceForge.net

Darkness Muta · 15 Oct 2018

Thanks I will look into this but but hopefully someone might have a simpler option that is almost like the default volume mixer that just allows one of the active program's volume slider to go above 100. That equalizer program looks like it would be more for setting up something permanent before hand but I am trying to find something that might allow me to do this quickly on the fly for multiple different possible programs that I run or may run into issues with.

I am actually suprised my searches have come up pretty empty so far but maybe what I am trying to find is just harder to do as maybe the Windows Volume Mixer layout does not interact well with another program to crank it up past 100% on the fly.

dalchina · 15 Oct 2018

trying to find something that might allow me to do this quickly on the fly for multiple different possible programs that I run or may run into issues with.

Once set- it should be automatic. That's quick.

Or you could experiment with this:

Any audio programs that can allow individual program volumes above 100-1.jpg

- don't know what the perceived max level is though- hence experiment
- and use e.g. Autohotkey to create a script to apply this as you wish when a particular prog is running.

dalchina · 15 Oct 2018

Normalisation - see:
3 Ways to Normalize Sound Volume on Your PC

6 Best Free Audio Normalizer Software for Windows

Maybe something here will help.

Helmut · 15 Oct 2018

I use YouTube and Twitch in Chrome and other Browsers and certainly don't get any such problem.
Standard stuff is sufficient, from the speaker icon in Task Bar:
Right click > Open Volume Mixer > change the level of what you want.
Further control:
Right click > Open Sound settings > Sound Control Panel > Select Speaker etc > Properties > Enhancements > Loudness Equalisation may help.
Tick boxes for Applications exclusive control and exclusive mode applications priority.

4 competing 'Volume' controls instead of 3 won't exactly make it any easier.
As far as I can tell from the few games I have is that there are controls in those that add yet another layer.

The current Windows 10 versions seem to be moving sound settings in to the Apps settings, like others, which inevitably leads to glitches.

Darkness Muta · 15 Oct 2018

With 95% of the stuff I do my audio setup is fine I am just hoping to find something for that other occasional 5% of the time. I always run dual monitors so usually have my gaming, work, etc on my main monitor that I am focused on and then my web stuff going on the second monitor and have a 5.1 surround sound set-up. With Volume Master for Chrome I am fine for cranking up any Twitch stream, YouTube or any Chrome tab that has low or bad audio as it can go up to 600% of the volume level, so for web stuff I am set. I am just trying to find something that would be similar to the Windows Volume mixer that would do the same easily on the fly. Like using the below example with the default Volume mixer, just having everything at 100% volume and if Battle.net was the random troubling app, being able to just quickly have that slider at 150% volume.

Any audio programs that can allow individual program volumes above 100-volumemixer.png

Barman58 · 15 Oct 2018

dalchina said:

Hi, you could try Peace Equaliser - very comprehensive - don't know about >100 in particular. Free.

It says in help:
automation: you can let Peace automatically activate a configuration (equalization, etc.) when a program starts or a device is selected

So you could have it automatically enabled for particular progs apparently.

Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO download | SourceForge.net

PEACE does have an option for Preamp which can be used, with care, to boost the base volume level of any particular program.

What I actually recommend is that you find your quietest output program, set your "external" amplification to suit this program, (or game), and then set all other programs internal volume levels to an acceptable level based on the base setting. Peace APO can be used to sound shape programs output including those that do not have their own internal controls. This is not an easy setup to do as our ears are variable over time, even during a day, but this type of setup will allow a single master volume to change the volume of all outputs - this is the way that volume leveling is set on expensive multi input HiFi systems, so is a proven method.

EDIT

For quality reasons you should never run any audio system anywhere near 100% so in the case shown in your above post set everything to 50 - 75% and adjust the balance from that point. (you use the 5.1 system volume to set the actual output level based on the quietest output, @ 75% and match the volumes of the others by reducing the volume output of the other inputs accordingly

dalchina · 15 Oct 2018

For interest: for quick volume adjustment by hovering mouse over task bar and using scroll wheel:

Volume2 (free) is neat.

Any audio programs that can allow individual program volumes above 100-untitled.png

- but not beyond 100% (when there is of course a potential risk of distortion)

HeM · 15 Oct 2018

Hi,

First, I don't know any app that can do exactly what OP wants, setting permanently individual levels to other apps or exceeding 100% when needed etc.

There are 2 apps which among others, can do what OP wants, in a different way: "on the fly" on real-time directly to system (or desired) output. Unfortunately, they are not simple and easy to use, except familiar to sound configuration users. Also unfortunately, there are no other standalone apps like them.

1. Stereo Tool : Free for most features including AGC (Auto Gain Control), paid for some other features which are not going to be needed by OP. A virtual sound card (like free VB-CABLE Virtual Audio Device or paid Virtual audio cable) will be necessary for audio redirection.

2. Breakaway : Easy (relatively) to use but only paid. I think, "Breakaway Audio Enhancer" is what exactly OP needs because it's easier to use and cheaper, if he's willing to pay for.
"Breakaway" has its own virtual sound card.

What those apps do (among many others, like changing your acoustic experience

), is not an easy thing. Actually, they increase low level sounds and decrease higher ones, without any distortion, keeping always about the same level, "on the fly" (real-time, when it happens, when needed).
Thus, you have to adjust only the desired final level (Win or any output) and you don't need to adjust it all the time for each one app, game, video or song, according to source level.

Both apps can do that perfectly but some audio delay must be expected. ASIO drivers can help with that or by adjusting audio/video delay settings -if exist- of running app/game and then...good luck!

I hope that helps.