Optimum volume on playback software at DVinfo.net

Marco Leavitt · December 18th, 2008, 08:30 AM

Is there an optimum volume for your playback software, relative to your analog amplifier, both in terms of noise and fidelity? In other words, would it be best to set the volume on the software very low (and crank the amplifier), keep the software volume on medium (amplifier on medium), or keep the software volume all the way up (amplifier low)?

To complicate it, what about when there are two volume controls on the software side? For instance, VLC has its own independent volume control, and then there's the volume control on my Mac itself. I've noticed that with the VLC volume all the way up I sometimes get distortion.

Allan Black · December 18th, 2008, 10:21 PM

Marco, the simple answer is...the manufacturers design all their rigs to operate with the volume controls at the middle setting and they desperately hope the others do too.

And the secret is the original recording. If it's recorded properly, *in the middle* then everything in the following chain should be in the middle. Unfortunately that's not the case which is why they give you a volume control on everything. It's called gain structure.

If you have to screw one up, or down too far, somethings wrong, could be any number of things. The weakest link in the chain will likely be the cause, a cable maybe? Always stop and check the connections first.

What's it like in the inner circle mate, is there aircon, free coffee, any donuts in there?
One day I might get a look :)

Xmas Cheers.

Sam Rosado · December 30th, 2008, 03:25 PM

actually, you never want to adjust the main vol on your software platform. leave it at "0" adjust everything else.

December 18th, 2008, 08:30 AM	#1
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Optimum volume on playback software Is there an optimum volume for your playback software, relative to your analog amplifier, both in terms of noise and fidelity? In other words, would it be best to set the volume on the software very low (and crank the amplifier), keep the software volume on medium (amplifier on medium), or keep the software volume all the way up (amplifier low)? To complicate it, what about when there are two volume controls on the software side? For instance, VLC has its own independent volume control, and then there's the volume control on my Mac itself. I've noticed that with the VLC volume all the way up I sometimes get distortion.

December 30th, 2008, 03:25 PM	#3
Sam Rosado Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: bridgeport ct Posts: 161	actually, you never want to adjust the main vol on your software platform. leave it at "0" adjust everything else. __________________ "Catering to all of your needs, from A to V."

December 18th, 2008, 10:21 PM	#2
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	Marco, the simple answer is...the manufacturers design all their rigs to operate with the volume controls at the middle setting and they desperately hope the others do too. And the secret is the original recording. If it's recorded properly, in the middle then everything in the following chain should be in the middle. Unfortunately that's not the case which is why they give you a volume control on everything. It's called gain structure. If you have to screw one up, or down too far, somethings wrong, could be any number of things. The weakest link in the chain will likely be the cause, a cable maybe? Always stop and check the connections first. What's it like in the inner circle mate, is there aircon, free coffee, any donuts in there? One day I might get a look :) Xmas Cheers.