Application volume

[JulianBlau]

Now in Windows one has to Right Click on the bottom bar select the Sound icon (after finding it in the dizzying array of icons). The Application I linked to does this and even a lot more. Sure you want it to act actually like Windows and it is not setup like that.

Alright, this is the time you start saying things that make no senses. If you don't know how Windows works, and how to open the Mixer please do not talk about it. In no situation do you have to click the right mouse button to open the mixer.

It is 2 clicks, 2. Now if you want to customise your sound some more, yes, it's there when you right click. But that isn't what we want here. What we seek, is a simple Mixer for Mac. And Audio Highjack, is that, but really is only does Mixing on a side note, and it is rather, complex. Not to mention the price tag. I don't know the program, and don't own it, but let me go ahead and assume, you probably have to do a loot of clicking before you get to the mixer. But don't take my word on that, i haven't tried it.

Now if you read the reviews of SoundBunny then you see it looks like abandonware! It barely works in 10.9 and absent in 10.10.

Now in Windows one has to Right Click on the bottom bar select the Sound icon (after finding it in the dizzying array of icons). The Application I linked to does this and even a lot more. Sure you want it to act actually like Windows and it is not setup like that.

Plus I bet you don't even know if you hold down the 'option' key while clicking the sound icon while turn it into a sound slider. I bet you never open System Preferences->Sound panel either.

And again, the assumptions you make, from where do you know it is Abandonware? Just because apple pushed Yosemite out the door, does mean they immediately make an update on it. I stay with my word, "Soundbunny" is a more elegant and proper choice here, also cheaper. It even has a 30 day trial. I have just installed it, and it does work on Mavericks... I installing Yosemite atm, to check if it works on that.

Now you can probably see it has added some weird applications like Android File Transfer, but with a simple right click, I can hide those. And I does exactly the same as the Windows mixer. It is my best solution so far.

I will go ahead and say, Soundbunny is your best option so far Unhyper!

Trial for Soundbunny:
http://www.prosofteng.com/downloads/download.php?prodID=88

It also is just 2 clicks, and you got your nice sound Mixer. Now it ain't the best looker, but it gets the job done. And you can close the application after you have done your mixing, and it will keep on running in your status bar:

PS:

I am trying to make them understand is OS X is not Windows! Things work differently besides is OS X is more related to BSD Unix! That Apple a long tie ago gave sound control to developers and it probably will never change.

This has never been about Windows vs. Mac. Having a mixer has NOTHING to do with Apple and it's developers. Please understand, that not only Apple has developers. Having a mixer just doesn't take away from anyone. Read my last post. From my experience, the mac user likes his world simple. But a single volume rocker doesn't always add up, and when it doesn't add up, you get yourself some add-ons to fix it.

I do also have Boomsound, which does some system wide equalising for me. And regardless, if your developers want their control (they do still have it), if i don't want my highs as loud as it is by default, I go about fixing it. Soundbunny is a nice asset, and I will keep it for now. And what ever you are trying to prove here. A mixer is something nice and useful. And if you like me, love music loud, it really can safe your everyday. I myself will keep Soundbunny, and if I find something even more simple, I will tell you peps about it.

 

[satcomer]

Alright, this is the time you start saying things that make no senses.

What?

This has never been about Windows vs. Mac. Having a mixer has NOTHING to do with Apple and it's developers. Please understand, that not only Apple has developers. Having a mixer just doesn't take away from anyone. Read my last . I myself will keep Soundbunny, and if I find something even more simple, I will tell you peps about it.

Yea but like I said SoundBunny has NOT been updated since 2013 and is starting to look like abandonware! AudioHijack Pro has been update continually and is ready for Yosemite!

So I am warning you if you continue to use that program it might screwup your Yosemite.

 

[JulianBlau]

What?

Yea but like I said SoundBunny has NOT been updated since 2013 and is starting to look like abandonware! AudioHijack Pro has been update continually and is ready for Yosemite!

So I am warning you if you continue to use that program it might screwup your Yosemite.

Sometimes apps work in new systems, just saying, i run a program called "Shutdown" on Windows 8.1, which is rather simple program made for Win98. And it has not been updated yet. The worst thing that could happen, is that it says: "Not supported". And trust me, i do often run completely outdated software, and none have been capable of obliterating my OS so far. I feel confident.

But alright, not being updated since 2013, does look suspicious, but it might just be that there was nothing to fix. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I will tell you later if it worked or not

 

[satcomer]

But alright, not being updated since 2013, does look suspicious, but it might just be that there was nothing to fix. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I will tell you later if it worked or not

According to the MacUpdate reviews it messes with the Yosemtie sound and eating people's batteries. I just would've link to it yet and trust when I say in OS X these extra sound applications need to be updated for new versions of OS X. Being a long time OS X user I am tring to tell you be careful with sound shaping programs especially when updating OS X.

 

[JulianBlau]

According to the MacUpdate reviews it messes with the Yosemtie sound and eating people's batteries. I just would've link to it yet and trust when I say in OS X these extra sound applications need to be updated for new versions of OS X. Being a long time OS X user I am tring to tell you be careful with sound shaping programs especially when updating OS X.

Quite, i just read some things about it aaaaand, Transparent is cool and all, but you can go and overdo it. Seem like people with bright backgrounds are finding it hard to read things. Rofl. I think i'll stay with Mavericks for now. And this brings me back to, "If it ain't broke don't fix it".
This reminds me of Windows removing Aero in 8. Stupid decision.

Edit:
Time Machine to the rescue, i'll simply use Time Machine to go back to Mavericks later on. Can't believe i didn't think of that.

 

[satcomer]

Quite, i just read some things about it aaaaand, you didnt mention the design, but it is the thing that put me off. The Design looks annoyingly "Cartoonish". I mean, the backdrop on the Doc, is so Ugly. And why everything is flat. Transparent is cool and all, but you can go and overdo it. Seem like people with bright backgrounds are finding it hard to read things. Rofl. I think i'll stay with Mavericks for now. And this brings me back to, "If it ain't broke don't fix it".
This reminds me of Windows removing Aero in 8. Stupid decision.

Edit:
Time Machine to the rescue, i'll simply use Time Machine to go back to Mavericks later on. Can't believe i didn't think of that.

If I were you I would check all your applications to the reviews at MacUpdate and the reviews on the Mac App Store before updating. The better bet us to wait for 10.10.2 before making the plung. Let others be the ones that complain of a new OS X before moving. I learned a long time ago to wait to at least the .2 of any OS X.

I have to many reviews of professional users of OS X complaining that their expensive applications don' t run on a new OS X and they don't have any viable backup!

 

[daliarock]

This is one thing that annoys me the most. for the sake of simplicity, Apple sometimes trashes essentials.. and then usually brings them back as features from the future, like the notification center and stuff I hate trying to go through preferences to mute an app. It shouldn't be that hard to control all the data coming from different sources to the volume interface. I mean, if Windows can achieve it, Mac should do a backflip on it!

 

[q3xe7]

As a 6 months old mac user i find this mixer thing a pain in the ass and Apple should add a simple mixer.

 

[JulianBlau]

If I were you I would check all your applications to the reviews at MacUpdate and the reviews on the Mac App Store before updating. The better bet us to wait for 10.10.2 before making the plung. Let others be the ones that complain of a new OS X before moving. I learned a long time ago to wait to at least the .2 of any OS X.

I have to many reviews of professional users of OS X complaining that their expensive applications don' t run on a new OS X and they don't have any viable backup!

Thanks for the warning there. I will check that out But with a Nice backup I think i'll take the risk. And I must admit, I never was a fan of Backups. Nothing wrong with them, but i just never did it. And of course paid the price, once the time for OS failure came for my PC
And I agree, letting other feel the pain is easier, I learned that when I installed Windows 8 on launch date. Oh the staggering amount of Blue-screens I witnessed. Some might say, I never where the same after that fatal day :O ... Just kidding.

This is one thing that annoys me the most. for the sake of simplicity, Apple sometimes trashes essentials.. and then usually brings them back as features from the future, like the notification center and stuff I hate trying to go through preferences to mute an app. It shouldn't be that hard to control all the data coming from different sources to the volume interface. I mean, if Windows can achieve it, Mac should do a backflip on it!

Agreed, that thing like this are missing is beyond me. If Windows makes their system superior, like with the sound mixer, Apple should roll out their own, better version of it asap. Now, not everything should be on the Mac, I do like it simple, but a Mixer is handy for everyone. Things like advanced system design changes, and more advanced things, don't have to be on OS X. If you want that, you have 2 excellent OS, with just that compatibility (Windows or Linux).

As a 6 months old mac user i find this mixer thing a pain in the ass and Apple should add a simple mixer.

I do think that a mixer accessible with simple right click instead of having to click twice like on Windows, is quite the elegant solution. That is exactly what i meant before. Make it better than Windows. Nothing improves better than a healthy competitor.

But sadly I don't think Mac has that type of customization. Tbh, I don't think this is possible on Windows as of now, I can't say for sure though. But despite, what do you think of SoundBunny as a solution so far? My biggest complaint is the design not fitting the rest of the Mac. And of course, having the bunny icon on the top bar

 

[baroquebassoon]

Satcomer, allow me to explain what it seems like you're missing:

I work with musicians on a daily basis, and one of those roles is as a recording engineer. When in a recording session, one of the main tools that an engineer uses is called a mixing board, or mixer for short; this is a picture of a mixing board (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixing...@_The_Cutting_Room_Recording_Studios,_NYC.jpg), and one of its functions is to allow the engineer an easy interface with which to adjust the balance of sound coming from multiple channels.

In the OS world, an OS-level mixer would serve similar functions. Earlier, you said something about Apple wanting to give that control to the app developers, and you're right that the developers should have control of volume leaving their app. That's akin to a musician having control over what dynamic at which they're playing (how loud their instruments are), and that's a good thing to have, yes.

BUT, suggesting that only having that level of control is sufficient is sadly ignorant on several levels. All of these apps are ignorant of how they fit into the overall output of the speakers. Having an OS-level mixer would allow the user to more easily prioritize WHICH apps are carrying the most important signals to the DAC (speakers). Yes, some apps like VLC have their own controls (and that's all well and good), but having a means to be able to meter and attenuate ALL outbound signals INDEPENDENTLY is not only a nice potential feature, it's a necessity, and its absence from OS X is simply gross oversight.

Take for example, if I'm working in a program that doesn't do any sort of music or sound playback, like photoshop. Occasionally, these programs trigger system sound alerts if one accidentally hits the wrong key or makes a ding when a process has finished. But, if one is listening to sound coming from another app, perhaps they DON'T NEED OR WANT those extraneous sounds. That is one strong benefit (among many) for having a mixer. Or let's say I'm listening to VLC while surfing tumblr on Safari; as one user pointed out, Safari doesn't have its own volume control, and the hotkeys affect the system volume. If I'm in that situation and come across a tumble-blog that has auto-playing audio (a huge, HUGE petpeeve for me), we have an instant clash between competing music sources; having the ability to mute Safari while leaving VLC untouched via a mixer would be, in short, damn useful.

Furthermore, take a moment to check your prejudice; yes, as it stands, OSX is a better operating system (at least, for my needs and probably for yours too given your attitudes, but others should feel free to prefer Windows if it better suits their needs). BUT, even despite OSX being more preferable, that doesn't preclude it from having deficiencies; it's not disloyal to find fault, it's what spurs improvements.

Lastly, it's been nearly 30 years since Microsoft borrowed its GUI from Apple. Get over it. And, gasp, Apple borrowed elements of their LISA gui from Xerox P.A.R.C., which was based upon research conducted at Stanford. It's all derivative, so get off the high-horse there, sonny.

(And to the rest of you, I'm also looking for a solution.)

Best,

A Grumpy Musician

 

[AlecZ]

What I seeing today is a lot of switchers wishing OS X was exactly like Windows but don't realize that Windows GUI got it's GUI after Steve gave them a preproduction Mac for software development.

I am trying to make them understand is OS X is not Windows! Things work differently besides is OS X is more related to BSD Unix! That Apple a long tie ago gave sound control to developers and it probably will never change.

What does BSD have to do with anything? I don't see why OS X couldn't have the ability to change the audio levels for each application. That's one of the very few features that only Windows has and OS X should have.

 

[xji]

wow guy, aspergers much? Do you ever find that in social situations people do not enjoy talking to you?

Well that guy has indeed been quite ridiculous. But a jerk/jock certainly doesn't have much to do with Asperger's. Don't associate Asperger's with such nonsense!

Actually I posted because somebody at http://superuser.com/questions/1503...me-settings-possible-on-mac-os-x-snow-leopard mentioned an app called Jack, which seems to be able to "reroute" the audio input/output of individual applications and therefore solve the problem. Unfortunately it seems complicated and when I tried to launch it it said something about "will change the whole system sample rate", so I was not sure whether it would work. Does any of you bother to give a look? Thanks!

 

[joejoejoe]

Workaround

Found this in a lightroom thread on adobe.

Not the most elegant/easiest solution but it seems like ti'll work:

The solution requires AUDIO HIJACK software (Rogue Amoeba) and I don't know if it will work with anything other than the PRO version. The solution is

- start AHP and go to the quick record menu (don't worry you're not going to record anything).
- As input select lightroom (or whatever application) as the INPUT.
- Click HIJACK followed by MUTE.

 

[Yoshi Yogurt]

As much as i hate windows, this is THE one fatal flaw for Mac.

If you seriously defend this crap you are a blind fanboy,

2015 and still no sound mixer on such a multimedia based OS.

Frikin ridiculous.

 

[niall.munnelly]

First - hat tip to baroquebassoon for the thorough and clear description
of the issue; I suspect that anyone who continues to deny the point of
this requirement is being deliberately obtuse.

I've used Audio Hijack Pro (now Audio Hijack) for app recording, but
never thought of using it as a system mixer replacement a la the BeOS
app mixer of old. It's a primitive modular setup - add up application
modules, connect their outputs to volume modules, and connect the volume
modules' outputs to the system out, which will be your headphones,
macbook speakers or whatever hardware you've set up:

This works great for browsers, iTunes or the DVD player, but the trouble
is with app notifications (including Textual and Messages in this
screenshot), which cannot currently be hijacked, even by the system
audio object. I opened a support ticket about this, and Rogue Amoeba
might consider it for a future enhancement. Until it's possible to
control the volume of app notifications, Audio Hijack will not be the
optimal solution to this problem.

 

[chiwaw]

Yes, I also solved my problem using Audio Hijack Pro. I'm using the free version and so far so good!

It's too bad OS X doesn't support this natively tho. Hopefully one day they'll do like Windows and add that feature!

 

[Meik295]

What I seeing today is a lot of switchers wishing OS X was exactly like Windows but don't realize that Windows GUI got it's GUI after Steve gave them a preproduction Mac for software development.

I am trying to make them understand is OS X is not Windows! Things work differently besides is OS X is more related to BSD Unix! That Apple a long tie ago gave sound control to developers and it probably will never change.

The ability to control the volume for multiple applications is a phenomenal feature to have. If Apple were making the decision not to include that simply because Windows has it, they would be idiotic. That's essentially saying "lets use the less optimal design because we don't like the person using the optimal design". They have clearly acknowledge the difference and are looking to find the feature that is missing. Your commentary is useless for that purpose.

Back to the real point, here is an app ONLY for Yosemite that I just found that claims to do what is being asked for. I hope it helps people.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/volume-mixer/id1004617419?ls=1&mt=12

Here are some other ways to describe this that will hopefully help some google searchers find this as well.

Windows volume mixer for Mac
Mac application volume control
app volume control center
sound panel mac

 

[satcomer]

The ability to control the volume for multiple applications is a phenomenal feature to have. If Apple were making the decision not to include that simply because Windows has it, they would be idiotic. That's essentially saying "lets use the less optimal design because we don't like the person using the optimal design". They have clearly acknowledge the difference and are looking to find the feature that is missing. Your commentary is useless for that purpose.

Back to the real point, here is an app ONLY for Yosemite that I just found that claims to do what is being asked for. I hope it helps people.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/volume-mixer/id1004617419?ls=1&mt=12

Here are some other ways to describe this that will hopefully help some google searchers find this as well.

Windows volume mixer for Mac
Mac application volume control
app volume control center
sound panel mac

Way to pick up on an old thread!

Besides if you feel this stronly them why haven't become an developer and transmit this request to Apple! Then with enough requests they might change it to your preference.

 

[falux]

Been using Apples since ~1990 and agree, this basic feature is missing.

Currently testing Hear in trial mode and so far it seems worth the $20. Has many additional features (that I was not actually looking for).

P.S. satcomer - don't bother. Man, are you annoying.

 

[gxxr1130]

Way to pick up on an old thread!

Besides if you feel this stronly them why haven't become an developer and transmit this request to Apple! Then with enough requests they might change it to your preference.

I came here to thank the other people on this thread for trying to be helpful or steering my in the right direction.

You, however, fail to realize how unhelpful you are (assuming you are trying to be helpful). In actuality, you annoy and offend and annoy people with your responses. You are not unique. A small percentage (high number) of mac users are very loud and obnoxious with how superior mac is. As a user of both OS' I see the pros and cons in each. When someone asks about a feature that is an obvious mac limitation someone like you has to assert how it's not windows, it's up to the developer, or some other defense mechanism.

I'm sorry that a computer is your one and only baby and you get very emotional and defensive over it. This happens in religions too. I love mac as well, but I'm not going to makes excuses and blame others for asking for a simple and useful feature as a sound mixer.

 

[satcomer]

I came here to thank the other people on this thread for trying to be helpful or steering my in the right direction.

You, however, fail to realize how unhelpful you are (assuming you are trying to be helpful). In actuality, you annoy and offend and annoy people with your responses. You are not unique. A small percentage (high number) of mac users are very loud and obnoxious with how superior mac is. As a user of both OS' I see the pros and cons in each. When someone asks about a feature that is an obvious mac limitation someone like you has to assert how it's not windows, it's up to the developer, or some other defense mechanism.

I'm sorry that a computer is your one and only baby and you get very emotional and defensive over it. This happens in religions too. I love mac as well, but I'm not going to makes excuses and blame others for asking for a simple and useful feature as a sound mixer.

I'm not being defensive! I was trying to explain the Apple way of letting developers to add there own sound preferences! If the developer doesn't included eat a user wants then find another and complain to that developer.

If you want Apple to add a 'system sound mixer' then report the request to Apple OS X Feedback. If enough requests are received by Apple then you former Windows Switchers might get then to add a requested feature! Just remember the old saying "you catch more flies with honey"!

 

[gxxr1130]

I'm not being defensive! I was trying to explain the Apple way of letting developers to add there own sound preferences! If the developer doesn't included eat a user wants then find another and complain to that developer.

If you want Apple to add a 'system sound mixer' then report the request to Apple OS X Feedback. If enough requests are received by Apple then you former Windows Switchers might get then to add a requested feature! Just remember the old saying "you catch more flies with honey"!

You're completely unaware of how annoying and unhelpful that is. Say it once and then go away, not 20 times. Also, it doesn't solve a legitimate problem. The problem is not "Windows Switchers." An OS sound mixer is a useful and basic tool OS X should have. It's a failure on the part of Mac to not address this. Stop making excuses for "the Apple way," it is not always superior.

Here's a tip: on threads and IRL - if you can not solve a problem do not respond to the person, especially in a way that blames the users or makes excuses for the way things are. It does not SOLVE the problem. It only irritates people. "Explaining" and "Reasons" are not a pass on this. Google "Social Intelligence" for insight into how this works.

 

[satcomer]

You're completely unaware of how annoying and unhelpful that is. Say it once and then go away, not 20 times. Also, it doesn't solve a legitimate problem. The problem is not "Windows Switchers." An OS sound mixer is a useful and basic tool OS X should have. It's a failure on the part of Mac to not address this. Stop making excuses for "the Apple way," it is not always superior.

Here's a tip: on threads and IRL - if you can not solve a problem do not respond to the person, especially in a way that blames the users or makes excuses for the way things are. It does not SOLVE the problem. It only irritates people. "Explaining" and "Reasons" are not a pass on this. Google "Social Intelligence" for insight into how this works.

You are saying not sending the suggestion to add a mixer to Apple and convincing others to do the same that want this? Are you saying I 'm being bad to suggest this?

 

[Jan Eppo]

You're completely unaware of how annoying and unhelpful that is. Say it once and then go away, not 20 times. Also, it doesn't solve a legitimate problem. The problem is not "Windows Switchers." An OS sound mixer is a useful and basic tool OS X should have. It's a failure on the part of Mac to not address this. Stop making excuses for "the Apple way," it is not always superior.

Here's a tip: on threads and IRL - if you can not solve a problem do not respond to the person, especially in a way that blames the users or makes excuses for the way things are. It does not SOLVE the problem. It only irritates people. "Explaining" and "Reasons" are not a pass on this. Google "Social Intelligence" for insight into how this works.

I agree with the tip. This thread's original problem has already been solved in this thread. No further contributions are required. The remaining problem is satcomer saying it's not solved. Obviously, that problem is unsolvable by ANY SINGLE person. It can be solved however, if ALL OF US stop responding in this thread. Then I bet satcomer will soon stop replying. And we will all know that problem has finally been solved too.

 

[Riginos]

On Windows, if I right-click on the volume icon and select the mixer, I can adjust the individual volume levels of applications or even mute them.

It's probably something so profoundly simple that I am overthinking it, but I can't figure out how this is done on OS X. The audio icon is just that one master setting, and the audio options in System Prefs has very limited options.

SoundBunny does that dude
There is a free version but probably you will have to buy it at the end as I did...
https://www.prosofteng.com/soundbunny/