No volume control for headphones

[KernelKarter]

- Desktop PC
- Onboard sound: nVidia MCP61 high definition audio
- Sound driver: snd_hda_intel

I have my speakers plugged into the rear audio socket and when I fire up KMix, I see a volume slider for the speakers (Master). I also see a Headphone channel but no volume slider (just a mute button). The speakers work perfectly and I'm able to adjust the volume with the slider. If I plug my headphones into the front audio socket, I get sound through the headphones and the speakers are muted. Great! That's exactly what I want to happen. However, there is still no volume slider for the headphones, so I have to use the Master volume slider to adjust the volume. This is fine, but of course, it also adjusts the volume of the speakers. Interestingly, the headphone mute button works. I'm wondering why there's no volume slider for the headphones. Ideas anyone?

-- Eddie

[Just17]

I presumed it was because there is one sound stream (not split) which is directed to either headphones OR speakers and thus there is one volume control.

If there were two sound streams, one to the headphones and another to the speakers I would expect two volume controls.

That would be my preference ...... and it would allow two different sound streams to be sent to the two separate sinks ......  allowing maybe a VOIP call to use the headphones while a song or whatever continued to play through the speakers.

Although the present scheme where the headphones switches off the speakers, it would be nice if that function was under user control as it is not always desirable.

I use a USB headphone because of this ....  more user control 

[KernelKarter]

I presumed it was because there is one sound stream (not split) which is directed to either headphones OR speakers and thus there is one volume control.

Makes sense.

If there were two sound streams, one to the headphones and another to the speakers I would expect two volume controls.

That also makes sense.

That would be my preference ...... and it would allow two different sound streams to be sent to the two separate sinks ......  allowing maybe a VOIP call to use the headphones while a song or whatever continued to play through the speakers.

In my case, it would be a simple case of System Sounds to the speakers and music to the headphones.

Although the present scheme where the headphones switches off the speakers, it would be nice if that function was under user control as it is not always desirable.

Yes, that would be nice.
With my current setup, would installing PulseAudio make matters better.

-- Eddie

[Just17]

With my current setup, would installing PulseAudio make matters better.

Some time ago I did some tests about the relative volume on speakers and headphones with the plug-in switching ....  but cannot recall if I ever got a definitive answer.
Instead I just stopped using the plug in headphones and use USB wireless or bluetooth devices which are treated completely separately and have their own controls in PulseAudio Volume Control.

I *think* I was of the view that the switching was happening, but that there should be more user control, and that this just might happen in the future.

For you own case I suggest trying PA for about a week.

It might help or you might dislike it .....  but you would need to give it some time to see if you can get used to a different method of applying your preferences.

PA is most definitely for me ....  I have multiple sound devices and want full control over them and what sound stream is sent to them. Having them all plugged in at the one time makes no difference to my control, as they are all treated separately ----  with the exception, as I recall it, of the plug in headphones which now switch off the speakers 

[KernelKarter]

OK then, I'll take PA for a spin, thanks.

-- Eddie

[Just17]

OK then, I'll take PA for a spin, thanks.

-- Eddie

If you want some reading here are a couple of links where I raved a bit about PA so there might be some relevant info there for you   

http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,105160.0.html

http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,105480.0.html