If your using a tv, why not just use the volume controls on the tv?
This is exactly what I'm doing right now, I just thought it would be nice to use buttons on the cab itself.
Before I start getting hassled, I know these are all answers I can figure out on my own. The point of the thread is to discuss how everyone is handling these types of things, and hopefully provide some feedback on their experiences. Do you guys find having a dedicated modifier key is handy or a waste of space? Is per-game volume control the best way to go or does OS level shortcuts work better overall? These types of things.
What I was thinking I'd do is set the TV volume as loud or louder than I'd ever want it then configure hot keys to adjust the PC volume. I'm actually a bit surprised by the replies, I thought hotkeys would be the normal way. Unfortunately I only have one unused and uninstalled key/button so my thoughts are:
1)Buy another keyboard or joystick encoder, change existing button connections as needed, install new buttons, program buttons for volume up/down. Most work, most expense, but no change to logical config, no re-mapping of keys or configuring hotkey shortcuts. Doesn't seem worth it but I'd have dedicated volume up/down as well as being able to add other dedicated buttons such as p (pause), ESC (quit) and tab (settings).
2)Install the existing unused button, switch it with one of the existing ctrl or alt buttons, and configure hotkey combinations as well as the updated button config within the games. For example, "new button" + "p1 joystick up" = volume up.
3)Not installing new buttons, just setting up hotkey shortcuts. I'd need the hotkeys to use key combos that are unlikely to be hit during gameplay, say "p2 coin" + "p1 joystick up" or whatever.
4)Do nothing. Between the TV remote and the keyboard in the cabinet I have access to everything I need. It's not as slick or handy as using buttons on the control board, but it's functional.
I don't think I'll do option 1. The cost and effort just don't see worth it and quite honestly I don't want a bunch of extra buttons on the control board. I suppose I could hide the buttons on the back side, but at that point I may as well use the TV remote or keyboard from the inside the cabinet. For option 2 or 3, there are more questions. First, where is the best place to configure the hotkey - at the OS level, within the Attrace Mode front end or within the emulators (currently just MAME and Daphne)? Is it even possible to configure hotkey shortcuts for volume control in all 3 or are my options more limited? Is it better or possibly required to use ctrl (player 1 button 1) or alt (player 1 button 2) as part of they hotkey, in which case I'll need to swap one with a coin button and reconfigure game mappings.