Automatic volume leveling during audio playback

Hi I have the same problem on windows 7, and I tried also all steps described above and it did not help me out. But I found some kind of solution which comes handy :)

So I am using XMPlay for audiofile playback and its like winamp (plugins etc) and it has an output plugin called WASAPI.

This plugin gives you the ability to use windows7's internal Exclusive mode (access the soundcard directly via kernel driver mode) that means you simply pass the agc thingy which is only used in "normal mode".

If your soundcard is asio ready you can even use an asio output driver with xmplay.

So you have to control the volume manually, making it too loud will cause clipping because disabled agc, so turn the volume down till you get no distortion anymore. Be aware when you play too loud that could hurt/destroy your ears/earphones or speaks, yes blabla I now but I wanted only to remember that. I assume that was some of that reasons why they included that agc stuff into the sound manager.

Now the manual for XmPlay:

First you need to download xmplay on http://www.un4seen.com/xmplay.html

Then you need the wasapi driver http://www.un4seen.com/download.php?xmp-wasapi

Ok now unpack xmplay, its a zip file no install required. Open the xmplay directory where you see the .exe file and the .dlls. Then open the xmp-wasapi.zip and put the xmp-wasapi.dll into xmplays directory. You're ready with the files so far. :)

Now open xmplay.exe and so for the configuration:

Click on the wrench icon on the right top to open the config dialog. Now goto Output and extend the list with clicking on the [+] to see your output plugins. Now you should see WASAPI in the list. Click on that and now in the configuration dashboard on the right, there must be 3 options in the current version.

Check "Enable" so its activated and then "apply". Then for the last step, in the selection list left click on "Output", the thing you extended before, so you open the config dashboard for the main output settings. Now set Device to [WASAPI - ...], the ... denotes your soundcards name!

> Apply

Voilà, Now you ready to hear some "action", just drag some audio file into xmplay and hear the difference.

You can play around with that by selecting the standard output device on "output" and compare between that and WASAPI.

The important thing is that you check Enable for the Exclusive mode as descrited above.

If you like xmplay you can even bind all audio files to it! Just study the options.

And if you want more plugins, just go to   http://support.xmplay.com/ and look around.

Thank you, hope I could help someone.

Greets

I am having this problem too for far too many years. I'm using Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio (PCI Version).

The only solution I could came up with to coup with it was

"to not raise the playing software volume in volume mixer more than 35% or 40%" and the problem is gone.

Unfortunately all of the answers in here didn't work out for me.

So I was kind of used to it now... in Windows 7 ...sadly.

Ps. My rig has Dual-OS and I don't experienced this problem in Windows XP Professional (32-bit)

so BYE BYE to Windows 7!

It works until you adjust equalizer of WMP.

*I HAVE A SOLUTION FOR USES WITH REALTEK HD AUDIO ONBOARD SOUND CARDS*:

1. Right click the Volume icon in the bottom right
2. Click Sounds
3. Go to the Playback tab
4. Right click Speakers (or your currently working check-marked audio device)
5. Click properties
6. Go to the Enhancements tab
7. Check the box labeled "Disable all sound effects" and prepare for a boost in volume if you are currently listening to music. Music will not automatically level down anymore!