The VU meter in Peace shows the default output device - I have another
output device selected for the equalizer in Peace and would like the VU
meter to show that. Is there a setting somewhere that I am missing? Thanks!
The problem is that Windows only has peak values for the current selected device so no values are present for non-selected devices. In principle Equalizer APO could "measure" peak values but it doesn't have this feature. Besides, it might have the same problem: no values when not selected. Only virtual devices, with their own peak value metering software, can have peak value meters. For instance, VoiceMeeter has such virtual devices. I think it has VU meters for these devices.
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Switching in Windows to another output device is usually automatic when using Bluetooth or USB headphones. But to do this right click on the Peace VU meter and set the default device in the Windows device manager that pops up by right clicking.
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Ah, here's what I am doing that is different - I'm using headphones to mix songs in a DAW and leave the windows default output device as the speakers while I use a separate headphone output (USB or even on my monitor) for that. I select the headphones interface in my DAW instead of the windows default. I don't want windows notifications to go to my headphones and when I put them down I don't want to miss windows notifications.
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And whilst doing that, does the sound come from more than one output at the same time? By default Windows isn't capable to output to 2 or more devices at the same time. But there are some tricks for doing that.
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No, the DAW program can select input and output devices different from the default windows devices - as can many third party media players. I don't have need of multiple simultaneous outputs.
BTW it's unclear what the "prevent clipping" checkbox does to the right of the "Peak value meter" - its placement infers that it acts on whatever the "Peak value meter" is displaying but I think it is actually working on the output of the equalizer?
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If an app switches to another input/output device means that the Windows default device changes. Therefore the VU meter in Peace changes to that new set default device. The "prevent clipping" checkbox is applied on the selected output device. Notice that the device list in Peace has nothing to do with the VU meter. Selecting a device in this list only means that the Equalizer APO commands Peace produces are applied to that device, regardless if it's selected or not.
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Okay, that's nice. Unfortunately Windows doesn't have a way to get the peak values for non-default devices to draw their VU meters. Of course a DAW can, as it produces the output itself. I guess, it's a big lack in implementation of the audio architecture by Microsoft (amongst others btw.). In other words, Peace can only have a VU meter for the default device.
Talking about lacks in implementation. By default there isn't a way for programmers to select the default audio device. There isn't such a programming function. However, there are 2 "hacks". One by writing a certain value in the Windows registry. And one by using the policy system of Windows. But both these methods may be changed by Microsoft. In the worse case, prohibiting the selection altogether.
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The VU meter in Peace shows the default output device - I have another
output device selected for the equalizer in Peace and would like the VU
meter to show that. Is there a setting somewhere that I am missing? Thanks!
The problem is that Windows only has peak values for the current selected device so no values are present for non-selected devices. In principle Equalizer APO could "measure" peak values but it doesn't have this feature. Besides, it might have the same problem: no values when not selected. Only virtual devices, with their own peak value metering software, can have peak value meters. For instance, VoiceMeeter has such virtual devices. I think it has VU meters for these devices.
Being able to just switch it to the output of the equalizer would work for my needs :) .
Switching in Windows to another output device is usually automatic when using Bluetooth or USB headphones. But to do this right click on the Peace VU meter and set the default device in the Windows device manager that pops up by right clicking.
Ah, here's what I am doing that is different - I'm using headphones to mix songs in a DAW and leave the windows default output device as the speakers while I use a separate headphone output (USB or even on my monitor) for that. I select the headphones interface in my DAW instead of the windows default. I don't want windows notifications to go to my headphones and when I put them down I don't want to miss windows notifications.
And whilst doing that, does the sound come from more than one output at the same time? By default Windows isn't capable to output to 2 or more devices at the same time. But there are some tricks for doing that.
No, the DAW program can select input and output devices different from the default windows devices - as can many third party media players. I don't have need of multiple simultaneous outputs.
BTW it's unclear what the "prevent clipping" checkbox does to the right of the "Peak value meter" - its placement infers that it acts on whatever the "Peak value meter" is displaying but I think it is actually working on the output of the equalizer?
If an app switches to another input/output device means that the Windows default device changes. Therefore the VU meter in Peace changes to that new set default device. The "prevent clipping" checkbox is applied on the selected output device. Notice that the device list in Peace has nothing to do with the VU meter. Selecting a device in this list only means that the Equalizer APO commands Peace produces are applied to that device, regardless if it's selected or not.
Nope, switching the i/O devices in a DAW typically does not switch the default windows devices. Same thing in many media players :) .
Last edit: Roadranger 2021-11-17
Okay, that's nice. Unfortunately Windows doesn't have a way to get the peak values for non-default devices to draw their VU meters. Of course a DAW can, as it produces the output itself. I guess, it's a big lack in implementation of the audio architecture by Microsoft (amongst others btw.). In other words, Peace can only have a VU meter for the default device.
Talking about lacks in implementation. By default there isn't a way for programmers to select the default audio device. There isn't such a programming function. However, there are 2 "hacks". One by writing a certain value in the Windows registry. And one by using the policy system of Windows. But both these methods may be changed by Microsoft. In the worse case, prohibiting the selection altogether.