Why can't ALSA control volume logarithmically?

Asked by Paul Swanson

It seems to me that ALSA doesn't offer logarithmic volume controls, but rather linear ones. Why?

Logarithmic controls are present on practically every audio device in existence except, as it seems to me, ALSA audio controls. This makes no sense at all. Linear control means that effectively only the last 25% of the volume control is useful to humans. A logarithmic control gives a more natural sweep of attenuation, the kind of curve that we are used to on everything from iPods to TVs. Is it just me, or has the whole ALSA user base gone to sleep on this one?

I'm using Ubuntu 9.04 with an Intel HDA sound card. If it's just me that has linear volume controls I won't be offended, but my googling to date has revealed little debate on what seems to be such a fundamental topic of usability.

Thanks for your comments in advance!

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Expired
For:
ALSA Tools Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Paul Swanson (paul-swanson) said :
#1

Bump ... well? Why is the volume control linear? How can this be changed?

Revision history for this message
Paul Swanson (paul-swanson) said :
#2

Bug #204898 relates to my question. Just to prove that I'm not alone with this question.

Revision history for this message
Launchpad Janitor (janitor) said :
#3

This question was expired because it remained in the 'Open' state without activity for the last 15 days.