Volume control on a shelled cab?

[IAmDotorg]

This isn't a problem per se with any particular software package or front-end, but this seemed like the best place to ask it.

The volume keyboard shortcuts are monitored by the volume application running in Explorer's tray. On a shelled system, there's no tray and thus no tray applications like the volume one. So there's no keyboard-based way to control the volume in Windows.

While it seems like something a Front-end (Hyperspin in this case) ought to be able to handle, HS doesn't.

Anyone know how people generally handle it? Just not have volume control? Are there any background apps out there that can do it? (Worst-case I'll write one, but no reason to re-invent the wheel if I"m just missing something stupid...)

[BadMouth]

Haven't dealt with it myself, but from being around the forums too much.....
google "running a program as a service"

Personally, I prefer having a physical volume knob.

[keilmillerjr]

My app, FrontEndHelper, can adjust system volume with two buttons. It can also switch sound devices by pressing both volume buttons at the same time.

However, the other day I started completely re-writing the app. It will include more features and no more gui interface. Hopefully it should be completed in about 2 weeks. I'll place a link to the new app when done in my signature.

[EMDB]

My app, FrontEndHelper, can adjust system volume with two buttons. It can also switch sound devices by pressing both volume buttons at the same time.

However, the other day I started completely re-writing the app. It will include more features and no more gui interface. Hopefully it should be completed in about 2 weeks. I'll place a link to the new app when done in my signature.

How does frontendhelper (or other background tools) start if HS is started as the shell?

[keilmillerjr]

My app, FrontEndHelper, can adjust system volume with two buttons. It can also switch sound devices by pressing both volume buttons at the same time.

However, the other day I started completely re-writing the app. It will include more features and no more gui interface. Hopefully it should be completed in about 2 weeks. I'll place a link to the new app when done in my signature.

How does frontendhelper (or other background tools) start if HS is started as the shell?

Some front ends allow the starting of another app. Or you can create a script to start both services.

My new revision will include automatically starting the front end.

[IAmDotorg]

What I ended up doing -- at least temporarily -- is just using a login scheduled task to start Explorer a minute after the hyperspin user logs in. That keeps HS the shell, with all the associated benefits, but enables volume control.

I'll probably write something at some point -- I'd like a bigger OSD for the volume than the default Windows one, anyway -- but this is fine for now.

[juggle50]

I use this cabvol application.  Works like a charm. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=69901.0

[jelwell]

I'm sure there are better ways to solve this now, but this is how I do it:
I use XYNTService combined with VolumeTray.
http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Utilities#Run_Files_as_a_Service
http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Utilities#Audio_Tools

Joseph Elwell.

[haynor666]

Personally I use volume control on my Thomson TV or shortcuts build in MAMEWAH.

However I'm looking for application that can bust audio above windows standard range. Some game have really weak sound so it would nice to boost them straight from windows with shortcuts instead regulating ouside windows.

[yotsuya]

Personally I use volume control on my Thomson TV or shortcuts build in MAMEWAH.

However I'm looking for application that can bust audio above windows standard range. Some game have really weak sound so it would nice to boost them straight from windows with shortcuts instead regulating ouside windows.

You can boost the sound directly from MAME. Hit TAB and look at the slider controls.

[haynor666]

That's not enough in most cases.

[IAmDotorg]

That's not enough in most cases.

Generally speaking, you can't boost above 100% in Windows. If the emulator is at 100% and your PC is at 100%, you're maxed out. You wouldn't want to go any higher, anyway, because you'd just start clipping.

What you should do is set the volume lower in windows, and turn up your amp. Set the PC to 50%, then boost the amp, and you have some leeway to go up and down on the PC for each emulator.

[haynor666]

This will generate too much noise also in some cases on white screen/very bright colours there will produce noticable buzzing from speakers. I'm using custom VGA-SCART cable (very noticable) and UMSA (barely noticable).

Long time ago there was option in some derivatives builds that optimize/normalize audio output but is long gone in mamefx and not available in groovymame.

[IAmDotorg]

This will generate too much noise also in some cases on white screen/very bright colours there will produce noticable buzzing from speakers. I'm using custom VGA-SCART cable (very noticable) and UMSA (barely noticable).

Long time ago there was option in some derivatives builds that optimize/normalize audio output but is long gone in mamefx and not available in groovymame.

There's something wrong with your hardware, then. Why not fix that instead?

[Jollywest]

Long time ago there was option in some derivatives builds that optimize/normalize audio output but is long gone in mamefx and not available in groovymame.

Not sure what OS your using but on Windows 8 you can normalise the sound by going into control panel/sound settings under speaker properties. It's possible this option is available on other versions of windows as well.

[haynor666]

Sadly is not available in Windows XP x64.