7 replies to this topic

[kurt91]

My laptop has two keys on the keyboard specifically for volume control. I don't have to go through any programs or anything, I can just tap those keys to lower or raise the computer volume. At least, that's how it used to be.

 

I was trying to figure out how to record system sound and microphone input for CamStudio when I read about a program called VoiceMeeter. I installed it, and it came with a driver to work the program. It's now the primary driver on the computer, and if I want, I can use it to boost the output of the crappy speakers on this laptop. The problem is, as the primary driver, the volume keys affect it instead of the actual speakers. This means that I can no longer use the keyboard to lower the volume when I need it quieter as to not bother others.

 

I tried changing the settings back, but all I managed to do was mute all the sound from my laptop. I managed to undo my attempt to fix it, but would like to be able to switch the volume keys back to the main speakers so that I don't have to always manually open Volume Control. Does anybody know how I would do this?

[Nicholas Steel]

Unsure, but boosting your speakers like that can be potentially problematic as it makes them run hotter and can cause structural damage in the computer case if they run too hot or just straight up damage themselves (Vibrate too much and break their restraints/case).

Edited by franpa, 25 April 2014 - 03:47 AM.

[David]

Yeah, I have absolutely no idea why that is happening to you, but what franpa said could be true. Sorry.

[Timelord]

Unsure, but boosting your speakers like that can be potentially problematic as it makes them run hotter and can cause structural damage in the computer case if they run too hot or just straight up damage themselves (Vibrate too much and break their restraints/case).

The likelihood of this ever happening is positively preposterous. The only thing that may happen, is that the speaker cones will wear faster, and of course, that by overdriving them, that the sound clarity will worsen. Most laptop speakers never cap out at their maximum dB range with standard software control.

The problem here is that your third-party software is interrupting the system input from your keyboard: What happens if you use the keys to minimise the amplification settings in VoiceMeeter, to zero? Can you use the standard, system tray volume control to adjust the pre-amp sound level, as normal?

If you can still use the system tray volume slider, you could set the amplification to zero with your sound keys, and lower the volume using the slider until you can;t hear anything, and then use the volume keys to increase amplification, to a suitable level.

That said, in reading the VoiveMeeter Manual, it appears that it acts as an output device, controlled via sound settings in system preferences, and that you can change back to your normal speakers, using these settings ( ref, page 8 ).

You should also be able to disable the programme, via the contextual menu ( ref, page 13 ).

You may want to detail your problem to the VB-Audio contact groups. If the programme is changing registry values for keyboard functions, that's pretty bad, and I don't see anything in their manual, or their website documentation--the website is truly terrible---that covers keyboard preferences, or anything similar. They have no documentation section, and no direct contact forms, or bug report forms.

It's just one gigantic advert, in modern, useless, PR spin style.

Restoring your system, assuming that you have a backup, or a restore point, should repair the problem.

I hesitate to mention this, but this MS Knowledgebase article, may give you an exit route; however, you may be better to restore your system from a backup though, especially if yoj need to edit registry values, and this article anticipates expert knowledge of MS Windows, which is why I wasn't going to include it; but I decided to add it at the last moment.

If you try any of these solution, make a full system backup first, as editing the registry, without expert knowledge, is as sure a way as I know to destroy a Windows install, short of format C:\.

It is also possible that your system shipped with special KB drivers, and that you may need to re-install them. That's system specific, and I can;t help you much there. You may want to locate your installation discs, or download driver packs for your model and OS.

As this programme requires Vista or later, I wouldn't even be able to run it; and my Windows knowledge is essentially limited Windows XP, 2003 Server, and earlier. I know some basic things about W7, such as re-enabling services that Microsoft disabled by default, for no clear reason, and instructing people on basic networking functions, but W7 differs so much from XP, that the applicability of my knowledge is often useless for Vista, or later, due to MS moving everything about, and making their interfaces absurdly confusing, by dumbing them down.

Really, if I could run W7 in XP mode, with absolutely no changes in the interfaces, the system preferences, and no limitations (such as driver compatibility, and special functions--including the ability to use MACCHANGER--I would consider it, but it not only needs more resources for everything, but it also removes basic utilities, and capabilities that I require.

My Windows usage is limited to the following:
General web use, with various security plugins for everything (not as important on OSX, or Linux).
Zelda Classic / ZQuest
Ripping YouTube videos.
Watching streaming media that depends on Silverlight.
Use of specific CAD Tools.
Using Office, when I don't feel like shifting to one of my Mac systems to write something, or make a spreadsheet.
VNC control of servers, and other machines.
FTP/SFTP/SSH communication with servers.

I do all of my other work on OSX. or Linux, including all of my artwork, publishing layouts, music composition, video editing, website design, non-ZC programming, etc..

Edited by ZoriaRPG, 26 April 2014 - 01:55 AM.

[kurt91]

Thanks for the help. I got it figured out. I don't know why it muted everything the first time I tried, but when I tried switching to the speakers again, it started working correctly. It kept the program as a secondary device, so I can fiddle with the settings on there still if I want to.

[Timelord]

Ace! I don't know if anything that I'd mentioned had been helpful, but at the least, you've resolved it.

[kurt91]

To be completely honest, the most helpful part was reminding me that a user's guide existed. I looked through your advice, realized too late that I didn't have a single system restore point on this laptop for some reason, moped around for a while in frustration, followed your link to the user's guide, and found out that their uninstall program is designed to only be accessible through add/remove programs. It even removed the drivers and reset the computer back to the original ones at the proper settings. My original attempt to fix it that I thought had worked had screwed up the settings to where I either didn't get audio from games, or couldn't record ANY audio through my microphone.

 

Honestly, this program confuses me. Every mention of the program on all the different websites I've seen it mentioned in has nothing but good things to say about the program. However, the site has no explanation for how to do things like you mentioned, and it's almost like the developers actively tried to hide any ways to remove it or turn it off. I've had easier times removing viruses from a computer than removing this program.

[chris2u]

Just installed Voicemeeter and was having the same problem and a Google brought me here.

So thought I would share what I found out myself..

 

The problem is that when Voicemeeter is installed, your default playback device is no longer your speakers, but it is the Voicemeeter Input..

Therefore your volume keys along with your main system tray volume control will attempt to vary this...Which probably won't actually change any volume, anyhow!

 

Here's how you can..

 

Go to Voicemeeter and click on the Menu button.

You will see various "Hook" options..

Click the first one (Hook volume keys for level output A1)

Now if you press your volume keys (or use a media centre remote for that matter), you should see the A1 output slider move up and down!

 

Provided you have selected the A1 output for your speakers, it will control the volume of your speakers.

(Just turn the volume of the speakers themselves to maximum and you will have full control.)

 

And if you don't have multimedia keys, you want to use the scroll wheel instead, or you want to control your actual speakers...You can use Volumouse..

I set mine for...Mixer Device > Realtek High Definition Audio....Component > Speakers...(This will then control the speakers directly).

 

Works Well.......For any sound application!

Edited by chris2u, 03 June 2015 - 06:10 AM.