output sound volume

[rtomasov]

It seems Audacity takes control of the output volume on all devices: built-in internal speakers, USB headset, etc.
For example, after having used Audacity with built-in internal speakers output checked in, when I try to listen through the USB headset, there is no sound at all.
I must open an audio file in Audacity, check the USB headset for output; quit Audacity and try again to listen through the USB headset but, the volume is not what it would have been had Audacity done nothing to change the output.
This happens with all applications.
The volume is limited and it cannot be made louder no matter what one tries to do.
My USB headset volume is less than one half of its original volume.
I shall appreciate all help anyone can provide.
Thank you


iMac 2.5 GHz Intel core 15, 16GB memory

[cyrano]

What USB headset is that?

I've used Audacity extensively with Snow and never seen that behaviour. So I'm guessing the driver for the USB headset has something to do with it.

[Gale Andrews]

It seems Audacity takes control of the output volume on all devices: built-in internal speakers, USB headset, etc.
For example, after having used Audacity with built-in internal speakers output checked in, when I try to listen through the USB headset, there is no sound at all.
I must open an audio file in Audacity, check the USB headset for output; quit Audacity and try again to listen through the USB headset but, the volume is not what it would have been had Audacity done nothing to change the output.
This happens with all applications.
The volume is limited and it cannot be made louder no matter what one tries to do.
My USB headset volume is less than one half of its original volume.

What is supposed to happen is that you can choose whatever output device you like in Audacity, and that does not affect which device is the default (selected) device in the system Sound Preferences.

But when a particular device is selected as the Audacity output device, then if that device has output level controls, changing the playback level slider in Audacity changes the output level of that device in the system (whether that device is system default or not).

The same applies to input devices and input levels too.


Gale

[rtomasov]

What USB headset is that?
I've used Audacity extensively with Snow and never seen that behaviour. So I'm guessing the driver for the USB headset has something to do with it.

The headset is a Sennheiser PC 8 USB
It is a plug and play set so, I don't think it has a driver.
I had the same problem with a Logitech USB headset before.
Thanks

[rtomasov]

What is supposed to happen is that you can choose whatever output device you like in Audacity, and that does not affect which device is the default (selected) device in the system Sound Preferences.

I am saying that if I choose whatever output device in Audacity, that device affects the system Sound Preferences.
If I want to use a particular output device in system Sound Preferences, I must first open a file in Audacity and change the output device (in Audacity) so that Audacity's match the system Sound Preferences I choose, otherwise I get no sound.
This procedure is quite a drag.

But when a particular device is selected as the Audacity output device, then if that device has output level controls, changing the playback level slider in Audacity changes the output level of that device in the system (whether that device is system default or not). The same applies to input devices and input levels too.

For some reason, this does not solve the volume output problem I mentioned on my post,
Thank you

[Gale Andrews]

What is supposed to happen is that you can choose whatever output device you like in Audacity, and that does not affect which device is the default (selected) device in the system Sound Preferences.

I am saying that if I choose whatever output device in Audacity, that device affects the system Sound Preferences.
If I want to use a particular output device in system Sound Preferences, I must first open a file in Audacity and change the output device (in Audacity) so that Audacity's match the system Sound Preferences I choose, otherwise I get no sound.

Are you saying that if you select device A in Sound Preferences, change in Audacity from device A to device B (or launch Audacity with device B already selected), then device B becomes physically selected in Sound Preferences?

What exact version of OS X and what exact version of Audacity (all three numbers) are you using? Look in Audacity > About Audacity... for the version number.

Do you have more than one USB audio device connected at the same time? If so do they both have the same name in Sound Preferences?


Gale

[rtomasov]

Are you saying that if you select device A in Sound Preferences, change in Audacity from device A to device B (or launch Audacity with device B already selected), then device B becomes physically selected in Sound Preferences?

No; what I say is, if I select device A in Audacity and want to listen sound through device B selected in Sound Prefs I get no sound.
Audacity actually overrides whatever is selected in Sound Prefs.

What exact version of OS X and what exact version of Audacity (all three numbers) are you using? Look in Audacity > About Audacity... for the version number.

OS X 10.6.8
Audacity 2.1.1.0

Do you have more than one USB audio device connected at the same time? If so do they both have the same name in Sound Preferences?

I have only one USB audio device.

[Gale Andrews]

Audacity 2.1.1.0

Well you could try 2.1.3-alpha from http://www.audacity.homerow.net/index.php?dir=mac/ then at least we will know if it happens there.

Also please save and attach the contents of Help > Audio Device Info... top right of Audacity. Please see here for how to attach files: http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 49&t=64936. What different playback device are you using in Audacity and why can't you use the USB headset in Audacity too?

No-one here still has OS X 10.6.8 as far as I know. Apple make it near impossible to install 10.6 on a modern Mac and you can't test audio issues properly in a virtual machine. But no-one else has reported your issue.


Gale

[rtomasov]

Well you could try 2.1.3-alpha from http://www.audacity.homerow.net/index.php?dir=mac/ then at least we will know if it happens there.

There are 67 folders in the parent directory (this is what I get when clicking on the link you give me.)
Can you please tell me which folder contains 2.1.3-alpha?

Also please save and attach the contents of Help > Audio Device Info... top right of Audacity. Please see here for how to attach files: http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 49&t=64936. What different playback device are you using in Audacity and why can't you use the USB headset in Audacity too?

See attachment.

No-one here still has OS X 10.6.8 as far as I know. Apple make it near impossible to install 10.6 on a modern Mac and you can't test audio issues properly in a virtual machine. But no-one else has reported your issue.

I know about using OS X 10.6.8 on newer Macs. My experience with Lion and Mavericks is not good. I still prefer OS X 10.6.8 and would not give it up until I'm forced to buy a new Mac. I have an iMac 2.5GHz Intel core 15 that I like a lot. I have tried some newer Macs and have not been satisfied with their behavior. Also, I've installed Mavericks on an external HD but stopped using it after the second run.

Thank you

[Gale Andrews]

Well you could try 2.1.3-alpha from http://www.audacity.homerow.net/index.php?dir=mac/ then at least we will know if it happens there.

There are 67 folders in the parent directory (this is what I get when clicking on the link you give me.)
Can you please tell me which folder contains 2.1.3-alpha?

Normally it is best to take the latest build, so try the ZIP of the release configuration build:
http://www.audacity.homerow.net/index.p ... add979.zip.

I still prefer OS X 10.6.8 and would not give it up until I'm forced to buy a new Mac.

Audacity will sooner or later drop support for OS X 10.6 because it impedes developing Audacity for current macOS. It will happen as soon as we fix enough bugs to make a good "final version" for Snow Leopard.


Gale