Re: [Tails-ux] Audio: The Case for Non-Flat Volumes

<bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1265267>

Good discussion on possible changes to defaults in Fedora...remote hope for PulseAudio itself.

One note: user Alexander E. Patrokov says "clipping" when he means limiting, as in non-flat master volume control being the only way to prevent large sudden spikes in sound levels. Forget about audio distortion "clipping" (square shape sound waves).(1)

Flat volumes only has a surface resemblance to Windows - it is not "easier" for Windows converts. Commentator brings up questions by new users confused by flat volumes. I will add that Windows forums are as filled with confusion over the Vista and post-Vista volumes. Integration of application volume sliders with Audio mixer panel streams was never widespread.

To summarize, one master volume and various application volumes is easiest. Pulseaudio, in the early days, had great addition, which was visualization of application streams in panel and synchronization with the respective in-app volume sliders.

(1) If anything, the direct control of the physical sound card/DAC (digital to analog converter) helps in reducing distortion, but PulseAudio applies mixing and must resample if various simultaneous streams have differing sampling frequencies. In other words, the marginal gains in flat volumes are countered by several other points in the chain. The choice of words here is imperfect since "clipping" can mean putting a cap on levels or on distortion caused by low bit depth, over amplification upstream, poor speakers, etc.

A specific issue is Gnome system alerts. They only appear for a second and disappear - no time to adjust volume slider. In any case it would be after the fact. Alert sounds could play at 100% of the sound card level.

Tails places importance on accessibility. My suggestions prioritize user experience and safety over misguided and failed attempts to mimic Windows Vista and concerns for direct sound output - and, again, professionals use JACK in the use cases where one would specifically want flat volumes. Or the app hijacks all Pulseaudio sound.