How do you all control your volume in your cabs?

[aldub516]

On my last build for a friend, I had 3 "admin buttons" up top.. 1 for enter, one for exit, one for pause. Now, i remember i had one of those set to something like shift+5 (coin), with the setting to only apply shift if another button is hit, and applying a coin if i only push that one button..Also setting gameex volume keys to shift up and shift down..  So if i wanted to insert a credit, i would hit the coin button, and if i wanted to change the volume, id hold the coin button and push up or down on the joysticks. That worked, but now i have a new build, with a spinner and such as well. So I ask, how do you conveniently control your mame volume while playing games and using front ends? I currently use the spinner to quickly scroll up and down menus, does anyone use it for volume? and how would u use it for volume during a spinner game. If anyone feels like throwing out ideas, heres my setup of buttons i have to use. I have 4 admin buttons up top. Ideally one is enter, one is exit, one is pause, and one is coin. With a spinner and trakball as well. How would YOU set up a volume control.

[EMDB]

I use Shift-Joystick Up/Down to control the volume using the build in iPAC2 commands. I also have a dedicated mute admin button which triggers an simple AutoHotKey program to actually mute.

[Vigo]

I've run a pot from the speaker amp. Had it hidden.

[eds1275]

On a per-game basis... but I have just received the parts to build an inline controller. I also use a television and the clicker lives on top of the arcade.

[deadmoney5]

I just have one admin button mapped to Volume in the Mame menu within a game.  You push it once to get the volume bar, then I use the joystick to raise or lower volume, then push button again.

easy peasy.

[mgb]

I used Logitech s 220 speakers and installed the little volum pod on the top of the cab.
It's easy to reach up and adjust volume as needed.

[yotsuya]

I've run a pot from the speaker amp. Had it hidden.

This. Most authentic way.

[DaOld Man]

I've run a pot from the speaker amp. Had it hidden.

This. Most authentic way.

+1.
Although mine have been easily accessible. Original build was on the control panel. Other 4 builds were between the speakers below the marquee.

[Slippyblade]

I've run a pot from the speaker amp. Had it hidden.

Yep, same here.  Had to unsolder the pot from the amp and solder in some long wires though.  Also had to use a different pot with a longer shaft to poke through the wood.  Stupid me grabbed a 10k linear pot instead of a log pot so it doesn't work very well...  Live and learn.

[jdbailey1206]

Dis little guy has worked wonders for my cab.

[Le Chuck]

Hammer.

[yotsuya]

Hammer.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=can't%20touch%20this&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCIQyCkwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DotCpCn0l4Wo&ei=kw0uVJDhFePBigKo4IDIBQ&usg=AFQjCNHhVT6IO53LRnbfsFuRoVmik13V9Q&sig2=YbkwehlMgLu2CVzOQxlE9w

[DeLuSioNal29]

I used Logitech s 220 speakers and installed the little volum pod on the top of the cab.
It's easy to reach up and adjust volume as needed.

+ 1 on an external switch.  Mine is hidden underneath the control panel.
Mine is similar to this:


D

[SavannahLion]

I've run a pot from the speaker amp. Had it hidden.

Yep, same here.  Had to unsolder the pot from the amp and solder in some long wires though.  Also had to use a different pot with a longer shaft to poke through the wood.  Stupid me grabbed a 10k linear pot instead of a log pot so it doesn't work very well...  Live and learn.

This....
I usually place it behind the coin door. All but one are just the original pots desoldered with pigtails added.

My newest one has two buttons for volume control instead of a pot. Not sure how I want to deal with that one.

[nugarp]

I used a pot on the line out, before getting to the amp. I am debating switching to this guy: http://www.amazon.com/PAC-LC-1-Remote-Amplifier-Controller/dp/B0002J226O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1412320089&sr=8-2&keywords=volume+controller+stereo

I have a couple and they are great. The knobs come out and they are mountable. My current pot isnt exactly 90 degrees away from my CP, so that kinda blows. Also, given this guy uses RCA, I can kill off my custom soldered connections.

[BadMouth]

My CP slides to the right so P1 can be centered when playing vertical monitor games.
When shifted right, an audio control panel (and cupholder!) is revealed.

So to adjust the sound when 2 people are playing, I have to slide the CP to the side, adjust the volume, then slide it back.
It's not that hard, but it's kind of annoying because I like to fiddle with the volume so much.

If I had it to do over again, I'd have a knob on top the cab that can't be seen from the players perspective.

[pbj]

I run the line in from the PC to the monitor, then I run external speakers from the monitor. I then use the TV's remote control to adjust the volume. Least authentic way, but oh so convenient.

Generally, I won't bother with external volume controls.  You dealt with whatever volume you encountered in the wild.

That being said, I went Malenko's route for Turtle Box and it was freaking annoying because I had to crank the volume way up to get some decent thumping out of my TV's line out.  Internal TV speakers actually sounded okay but if I've got this much time and money wrapped up in it, I want my balls to shake on demand when I play it.   Plus I can't yell in anger while I'm pissing on a tree in my backyard if I can't hear the Cowboys outside the garage.

So, I finally broke down and got some cheap little amp.  Kludged it to a switching power supply from the junk box, and I'm good to go.  There's just something so intuitive and natural about a physical knob that I can't imagine using button combinations to do it.

[jdbailey1206]

There's just something so intuitive and natural about a physical knob that I can't imagine using button combinations to do it.

Tru dat.

[Generic Eric]

Next question:

Where is your volume? 

[pbj]

Ground loop isolator, bro.

[keilmillerjr]

I got a lepai amp. I also have two push buttons that will be mounted on the cabinet and connect to my encoder. I created a script to have the push buttons change the computers system volume up or down. I'll just turn it up and adjust the amp accordingly for maximum volume. Then he user can adjust the volume and I don't have to worry about them blowing my ear drums.

[8BitMonk]

I bought a cheap-ish all-in-one speaker system from Wall Mart similar to this. I looked for one with a lip around the controls, a seam between them and the upper part of the speaker. I cut off the top part of the speaker and use the bottom as my controller and then wired in some 6" car speakers along with the subwoofer. I cut a notch in the side of my CP right under the lid for mounting.

It works really well. Looks good and you get a sub, power button, headphone jack, led indicator and volume pot for ~$20.

[Wilimnot]

These are all awesome ideas.  I'm new to arcade building/restoration, so I'm thankful for this forum.  I start my project next Friday. 

[SavannahLion]

I got a lepai amp. I also have two push buttons that will be mounted on the cabinet and connect to my encoder. I created a script to have the push buttons change the computers system volume up or down. I'll just turn it up and adjust the amp accordingly for maximum volume. Then he user can adjust the volume and I don't have to worry about them blowing my ear drums.

I experimented with this on my WinXP box. I wrote a program with a couple of really nice features that worked very well but I ended up using an analog pot and never really finalized the code.

Like someone mentioned, a dial tends to be more intuitive.

[nofxbam]

Check out the Griffin Powermate: http://store.griffintechnology.com/powermate

Plugs into USB. Nice thing I like is it operates independently from your game spinner and controls.

Just got one and am using it on my bartop with Windows 7 32 bit. Easily programs to volume once software is installed. Turn the knob for volume and press it for mute on/off.

[equlizer]

I wonder if you could use that as a spinner

[danny_galaga]

I had a volume knob cunningly poking out the bottom of my cocktail cab, but it was such a nuisance to reach I now just use ~ if I need to.

[yotsuya]

I wonder if you could use that as a spinner

Not in any sort of practical way.

[bradx]

the little speaker icon on the bottom right hand corner of the screen.  i wish i was joking.  it bugs me sometimes but not enough to install a control or anything.  maybe this thread will inspire me to finally do something about it.

[aldub516]

There are so many amazing ways you all have your volume controls set up. I shouldve mentioned that, i will not have on board audio/speakers. This build is a pedestal and will run out to a tv via hdmi and an audio cable. My problem im having is windows 8 doesnt seem to support any of those old cabvol/volume tray apps to set hotkeys and such for volume. I finally figured out how to set up my buttons and shift correctly.. Not i cant seem to figure out a way to change/use the actual volume up/down hot keys.

[BadMouth]

There are so many amazing ways you all have your volume controls set up. I shouldve mentioned that, i will not have on board audio/speakers. This build is a pedestal and will run out to a tv via hdmi and an audio cable.

http://www.amazon.com/PAC-LC-1-Remote-Amplifier-Controller/dp/B0002J226O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1412819630&sr=8-3&keywords=inline+volume+control

[SavannahLion]

Wouldn't that assume that a T.V. with  a remote is being used?

[Rick]

I install one of those mini-amplifiers in between the speakers, just behind the marquee light, so there's no shadow. The volume control faces the rear of the cab, so if you need to change the volume, you open the door and reach in. I'm of the mind, if you're playing an arcade game, there's going to be sound. I may configure an external control for volume in the future, but if I do, it'll either be hidden or a custom request.

[Vigo]

I'd like to see a universal remote hacked into a pedestal control panel. Solder the power button, volume buttons and anything else needed to arcade controls. Have the IR LED pop out the back. Use something like one of those base line harmony remotes so it can just be powered directly via usb, and programmed to the tv from USB as well.

[DeLuSioNal29]

How about "Cabvol" by ahofle?  It allows you to map buttons to control the Speaker tray icon in windows. There is a version for Vista and higher OSes.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=69901.0

D

[mike boss]

I got (and love) an inexpensive ($20) 3pc LOGITECH set that has the external switch.
I simply put some double sided tape on it and mounted it on the inside of my coin door on my Nintendo machine.
Like others said I could have placed it under the control panel just as easily. It is a great, easy solution.

[Rick]

I got (and love) an inexpensive ($20) 3pc LOGITECH set that has the external switch.

Why am I guessing you got that at XS Cargo? If so, I think I know the one, and it's got great sound.

[mgb]

I got (and love) an inexpensive ($20) 3pc LOGITECH set that has the external switch.

Why am I guessing you got that at XS Cargo? If so, I think I know the one, and it's got great sound.

I'd guess he got the Logitech S220. That's what I used and for the cheap price, you can't go wrong

[aldub516]

The point is to keep everything within the pedestal. Grabbing the remote off the couch to change the volume just hurts the overall experience. Realistically my only issue is that windows 8 doesnt support cabvol or other such apps yet. With windows 7, i simply set 2 buttons for volume up or down on my pc.. And i could change volume at any given time by simple holding my shift key and up or down on the joystick. It was super easy, super clean and can be used at any time.. You could realistically change the volume in the middle of a game without misssing much of a step. Windows 8 is whats kind of screwing me here Its becoming a big issue as i now have to find a way to change the computer volume from the control panel, with no built in speakers to hardwire a switch to. The hotkey issue is killing me right now

[aldub516]

holy goodness.. i just tried installing cabvol again on my windows 8.. and it works!!!

If i can get these settings right, ill be the happiest person on this board tonight.

I guess for future reference.. cabvol works on windows 8 lol

[ahofle]

Thanks for being the guinea pig on that one! 

[paigeoliver]

I set the volume on my mame cabinet in 2002 and never changed it. I have done the same with each of the 200ish games that have rotated in and out of my gameroom in the same time period (well for most of them I never had to touch the volume).

[EMDB]

I use iPAC2 internal mappings to lower and raise the volume with Shift-Player1-Up and Shift-Player1-down and use this autohotkey script to let my dedicate mute admin button toggle Windows mute:

Loop {
    F12:: Send {Volume_Mute}
}


I use this button a lot to quiet my cab down when it is temporarily not in use while Hyperspin plays the in-game-movies.

[mvolke1]

Dis little guy has worked wonders for my cab.

That thing is pretty sweet. What speakers do you use with it?

[eds1275]

Do games sound better with better equipment? I'm using the built in tv speakers on my Spinal Tap machine and they are probably better quality than any arcade machine ever had, but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference.

[Rick]

Do games sound better with better equipment? I'm using the built in tv speakers on my Spinal Tap machine and they are probably better quality than any arcade machine ever had, but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference.

Funny you mention that - on the latest bartop, I tried plugging in an old set of Logitech Z-623's, sub and all, and they were ... marginally better than the standard 4" speakers I ended up going with. I really only used them for testing, but I think you're right, most of the classic games don't sound a lot better with heavier hardware.

[mgb]

Do games sound better with better equipment? I'm using the built in tv speakers on my Spinal Tap machine and they are probably better quality than any arcade machine ever had, but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference.

It really depends on the game.
I don't think you're gonna get hi-fi theater like sound out of Pac man, no matter how much you spend on speakers.
However, with some kind of sub, you'll get a little more bass out of games that will benefit.
My speakers are far from hi-fi and the sub is small but its makes a nice little difference for bass

[ChanceKJ]

a hacked up Griffin PowerMate.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,139540.msg1443132.html#msg1443132

[newoski]

Volume2 is a similar free application that works perfectly. Allows volume controls to mapped to any buttons you choose.

Even better, you can still use it, if you include it in your startup script, while shelled in Windows 7.

Download Link: http://irzyxa.wordpress.com/