Setting Up the Windows Volume Control

Windows XP:
(adapted from Silicon Pixels’ ChromaSound Technical Supplement - Feb 2001)

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to set up the WVC. Since brands and models of sound cards differ, the specific names of controls may not match exactly with the illustrations. Most of the differences are relatively minor, though.

Step 1 Launch the WVC
On the Windows Task Bar, (where the Start button is) launch the WVC by double-clicking on the small speaker icon. It’s located at the far right, next to the clock display:

Your machine probably has other icons in the same general area, that’s ok. Also, note that if you “miss” the double-click, a single-slider window will appear, instead of the full WVC window. If that happens, try again.

Note: If you don’t have a taskbar icon like the one shown above, it’s either been disabled, or the WVC hasn’t been loaded on your computer. In either case, the WVC must be loaded and enabled before you’ll be able to proceed with these instructions.



Step 2 Navigate the menus to the Recording Control
Select (click) “Properties” from the Options menu. Then select "Recording".

Step 3 Enable the Controls
You’ll now see a window that looks like the one above. Click the “Recording” option, then look through the list of controls at the bottom. If there are any that don’t have checkmarks, put one in. Remember to scroll the list, if it has a scroll bar. When you’re finished, click the OK button.

Step 4 Setting Recording Options
You’ll now see a window titled “Recording Control” (Right). This is where you’ll set your Recording (input) options. Locate the section that contains the controls for the LINE or MIC inputs, whichever you’re using. Starting from the top down, center the “Balance” slider, set the Volume Slider to 50-75%, and make sure there’s a checkmark in the “Select” box.

NOTE: Most PCI sound cards manufactured by Creative Labs and Ensoniq require using the MIC input rather than the LINE for full-duplex applications. Since most other cards on the market will work with the LINE input, we’re using the LINE input in the examples.

Windows Vista:

Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar, then choose "Recording Devices". Choose the device you will be reccording from - usually "Line--in" for music and "Mic" for voice. Then click "Properties".

This will open the screen shown below. Click the "Levels" tab to move the Level slider most of the way to the right to start.