http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ How-To Geek Forums Topic: Vista style mixer in XP? en Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:06:14 +0000 http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/vista-style-mixer-in-xp#post-80517 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:38:30 +0000 Justin 80517@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>Windows Vista has a new Audio Stack that was developed with volume control of individual programs in mind.<br /> Basically, it does this by taking the sound from all the applications, adjusting the volume if needed, combining it and sending it to the sound output of the sound card.<br /> The Audio Stack in Windows XP is simpler, it just sends all the sounds right to the output of the sound card.<br /> There is a cost to the way Windows Vista does it though, it uses more of the CPU to do the mixing.<br /> Microsoft probably figured that with the usage of newer faster processors in computers that it was an acceptable cost as it would be a minimal usage difference with newer processors.<br /> Though, of course if you want to use a digital output like SPIDF then Windows Vista will still do the Windows XP style and not let you control individual programs volume so that the audio is sent unaltered to the Digital Output. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/vista-style-mixer-in-xp#post-80510 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:43:48 +0000 satansoldier 80510@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>Well, thanks for helping me look. I s'pose I'll still have to avoid doing noisy stuff while using a voice chat program. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/vista-style-mixer-in-xp#post-80447 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:30:06 +0000 ScottW 80447@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>@satansoldier, sorry that I sorta hijacked your thread with the Vista question. However, I did research as you suggested and may have found an answer for you. In this blog post about the Vista volume mixer, the MS employee writes:<br /> <blockquote>Windows XP had a single control for all sounds, and this controlled only the hardware.</blockquote><br /> I suspect that this means XP does not even track individual application volumes, so it's unlikely that there is a 3rd party app that can control per-application volume in XP.<br /> .<br /> @johnhill987, thanks, I will fool around with this feature some time and see how it works. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/vista-style-mixer-in-xp#post-80435 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 09:33:04 +0000 jonhill987 80435@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>@ ScottW: Applications only show in the mixer when they are running, Firefox however dosn't seem to be picked up until it is plays some sound, run a youtube vid and it shows up. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/vista-style-mixer-in-xp#post-80431 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 06:51:55 +0000 satansoldier 80431@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>i assume so, but i dont use vista, you should google it. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/vista-style-mixer-in-xp#post-80427 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 06:34:59 +0000 ScottW 80427@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>I have the Realtek HD Audio Manager on my system, which perhaps has taken over the running of the sounds. When I open the mixer from the standard Windows volume control icon, I only have 1 Device, "Speakers" and 1 Application, "Windows Sounds". Maybe if Realtek hadn't taken over, I would be able to add applications to that mixer? </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/vista-style-mixer-in-xp#post-80414 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 05:02:37 +0000 satansoldier 80414@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>right click on the sound icon in the taskbar and select the one with mixer in the title, or so i've read, it might not be there on some versions. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/vista-style-mixer-in-xp#post-80404 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:56:05 +0000 ScottW 80404@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>Firefox has a volume control? I don't know about it and I'm running Vista. Tell me where I can find this, 'cause I don't want my browser to be too loud. :) </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/vista-style-mixer-in-xp#post-80372 Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:53:09 +0000 raphoenix 80372@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>satansoldier,<br /> I gotcha now.<br /> Let me research a bit.<br /> Best Regards,<br /> Rick P. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/vista-style-mixer-in-xp#post-80371 Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:48:36 +0000 satansoldier 80371@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>In vista you can turn down the volume of Firefox and turn up the volume for AIM. Im looking for a way to get this functionality in XP, I have realtek drivers and home edition SP2. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/vista-style-mixer-in-xp#post-80367 Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:34:30 +0000 raphoenix 80367@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>satansoldier,<br /> I have the same setup.<br /> Run XP3 with Realtek Audio Driver and have all kinds of sound / voice controls.<br /> Not sure what you mean ??<br /> Best Regards,<br /> Rick P. </p> http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/vista-style-mixer-in-xp#post-80360 Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:07:21 +0000 satansoldier 80360@http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/ <p>Any one heard of a way to have a Vista style sound mixer in XP? Being able to selectively adjust volume for individual programs would make things alot easier. I use a headset with my PC more than the speakers and its difficult using voice chat while anything else is running if it cant be turned down in its options. I've been googling for about an hour to no avail. </p>