It's for a long time I'm looking for a tool that can do this :
I'd like to know what the general output volume is set to, but not the volume percentage that is set, but the ACTUAL volume that is being sent to the output devices. Sort of like measuring the decibels next to your output devices itself, but something that can do similar from Windows itself.
And, preferably command line controlled.
Is that even possible ?
Not sure what actual volume means here.
E.g. an rms voltage output will be audible in dBa at a volume dependent on the external output device.
I don't think that this will be possible because the actual volume is controlled by the output device itself.
As an example, I have a set of speakers. I can set the volume in Windows to 100%. But then I have a volume knob on the speakers that let's me change the volume as well. So even without touching the Windows controls and leaving the Windows setting the same, the device can output a wide range of different volumes by adjusting that volume control. Windows has no idea what the actual volume is. It can only determine the percentage of output sent to that device.
We've both said the same essentially..
Turning to the command line: to get/change the volume, see
View / change sound volume on Windows from command line or GUI
(Scroll down for command line options).
I don't know precisely how the math goes, but it goes something like this.
Windows default volume is -6 dB (66 on the 100 scale). Right click to get dB.
Then you look at the particular audio chipset you have on your computer, then look at the datasheet to look at the maximum output voltage.
Then you convert that maximum output voltage into dBV.
So the Realtek ALC662 audio chip will have the 2.92 dBV as its maximum analog audio line-out output. Since the reference level is -10dBV, the audio chip has 12.92 dB of "headroom".
Since the default Windows volume is -6 dB, the ALC662 will output at -3.08 dBV or 0.701 Volts. Since the reference level is -10 dBV, you are getting 6.92 dB above the reference level.
This is actually most useful in setting microphone levels. Look at the ADC maximum input at 1.4 Volts (2.92 dBV). So your microphone will have 12.92 dB of headroom. If you plug in your 3.5mm headset into this computer, you set the microphone level to be at -13 dBFS on the DAW. This is the best microphone gain setting for this particular computer with the ACL662 audio chipset.
Common RF Terms3 dB rule: A 3 dB gain means twice (x2) the power. A 3 dB loss means half the power. For example, a system with 40 watts of input power and a 6 dB insertion loss will only have 10 watts of output power.
S331P Site Master Help
What Are Safe Decibels?Both Apple and Android phones support sound level meter apps that measure decibels.
Keep Listening | What Are Safe Decibels? — Hearing Health Foundation
Actual volume is the noise as produced by the speaker, that what is measure in dB.
But I don't need dB levels, I need an indicator of that
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OK, yes but obviously the sound volume regulations AFTER leaving the computer is unknown to the computer itself.
I agree.
BUT, I have a volume set on my speaker, it's been set to the same for the last 5 years. Why ? Because I have levels on my Windows (and I'm not using any special software, just VLC):
- Windows levels
- sound application level : VLC
The only unknown factor here is the sound volume as present on the sound/media file. That is what some tools can actually calculate as well. That one tool that levels different media file "to the same level", would be doing that. So, it knows the "volume", even before it's being played.
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OK, so I set my Windows volume to 100%.
What is coming out of my speaker ?
Nothing, cause I'm not playing anything. Yet, volume is set to 100%. Can also be 0%, or 20%. Or 55%.
I already use Nirsoft to change my volume, that works very good indeed.
But I don't need dB levels, I need an indicator of thatOk, so place a microphone in a suitable position, hooked up to your PC, to a program that you calibrate to report the sound level it is receiving in dBa... (!).What is coming out of my speaker ?
Amazon dBa meter
You don't seem to have understood what people have said, or are simply rejecting it as not the answer you want.
Sound Meter (Noise & Decibel) - Chrome Web Store
Default settings are meant to be the best settings.
Default windows audio volume is -6 dB (or 67 in the 100 scale).
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/wi...olume-settings
Klipsch THX speakers manual tells you to keep your windows audio volume at around 70% (i.e. don't touch the default volume).
https://assets.klipsch.com/product-m...nersManual.pdf
Nobody tells you to set your windows audio volume to 100. If Microsoft wants you to set your volume to 100, then they would have set the default volume to 100.
The REFERENCE level is defined by a sine wave at certain voltage.
You can buy this thing and it will generate the correct reference level to your speakers.
Just a moment...
Then you use a handheld decibel meter to check your speakers' decibel level.
What you want doesn't exist because when you change computers, you change audio chipsets. Each audio chipset will have its own maximum audio output voltage. If Realtek ACL662 maxes out at 1.4 volts and Realtek ALC889 maxes out at 1.6 volts. Then windows audio at 100 will sound louder with the ALC889 desktop computer --- even when you have the same computer speakers at the same volume knob setting.
You need a mastering audio software to calculate your audio file. Run your audio file through a LUFS meter and you get to know how loud the audio file is and then you lower/raise the mastering volume to the exact same LUFS. Then the whole "album" or all your youtube videos will sound at the exact same volume.
Or just use "loudness equalization" like any sane person would do.
Is that an exclusive or an inclusive "or" in that sentence ?
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Yes, that would be suitable, but not all audio played is in an album. I'm talking about any Windows output. Anything. Also streaming ..
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Sounds great, I'll Google it.
