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Windows Master Volume doesn't do anything when using USB Audio

C

carlanga

New Member
Hello Everyone,

I just purchased a Dacmagic (not one of the two new models) to connect my computer to some near-field monitors that I have. The problem I'm having is it seems the device driver ignores the Windows Volume Control. It always plays on maximum volume no matter what the volume control is set to. I know things are going through a software mixer because I can play audio from multiple applications at the same time. So it's just the volume control that's not working. If I go to Control Panel->Sounds to set the volume level, it gets ignored there as well.

Has anyone else experienced this, and is there a way to get the volume control to work? I'd like to use the balanced outputs of the Dacmagic at some point, and I'd hate to have to buy a $1000 integrated (or pre-) amp just to have a volume control with balanced in/outs.

I searched all over this site and the internet and can't find a solution. Any help would be appreciated! I understand a lot of people don't want the Windows volume control to do anything because they have an external volume control, but I'm not in that situation.
 
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I think that is by design. I have read that USB-out is basically line-out, and the volume control on the computer has no function since your sound card/internal DAC is now being bypassed. Perhaps others will chime in with a different viewpoint.
 
Yep. Just leave windows (and all programs) at max volume and use your external volume controls.

The volume in your music player application (foobar, etc.) should still work, but everything I've read recommends leaving those at max volume as well.
 
I am using a Musical Paradise MP-302 DAC/integrated in my computer system. In order to get the Windows master volume to work, I had to select USB Audio DAC as my Sound Playback Default Device, in Audio Properties.

How have you hooked up the DAC output?
 
You need to make the usb DAC as the default Windows playback device first.
Usually, I don't make the USB DAC as Windows default playback device since I only use my MP-D1 DAC exclusively for foobar music player. I suggest you try foobar with Wasapi output plugin to see if the volume control works.

BTW, it is dangerous to drive the power amp directly with the DAC output. Software volume control is not reliable. Accidental mouse click on the software volume bar to its max could kill your speakers unless your power amp have input gain control. Be careful.
 
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