Change the default granularity of sound volume increments on Mac OS (for the whole system)?

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Level 1

6 points

Change the default granularity of sound volume increments on Mac OS (for the whole system)?

Hello,

By default on Mac OS, when pressing the "increase volume" or "decrease volume" keys from the keyboard, it changes according to 16 increments (so each time I change the volume, it increases or decreases by 6.25%).

I would like to change the volume according to finer increments by default, and for the whole system.

For instance, if I combine the "increase" or "decrease" volume keys with the Shift + Option keys, then I can change the volume in 64 increments, resulting in increase/decrease volume by 1.56%, which is much finer.

And here is my question then, would it be possible to change the overall default configuration of Mac OS so the volume is always changed according to 64 possible increments?

Please note that I am actually asking this question because I need such fine-grained volume increments to be actually working with an external bluetooth device attached to a proprietary software, that's why I am insisting about my requirement to change the default configuration of Mac OS here (and therefore I am not looking for any other kind of workaround involving additional applications for instance).

Any idea?

Posted on Dec 13, 2021 11:39 PM

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Answer 1

Camelot

Level 9

58,899 points

Dec 15, 2021 10:43 AM in response to Fred_on_mac

Short answer: No. Not without some kind of external application.

Without knowing the specific bluetooth device you're using, I don't know what hooks it has to facilitate this. It may have its own application for programming inputs, or it may act like a keyboard, in which case any number of macro applications that can run a script based on an arbitrary keypress may suffice.

The standard AppleScript command set volume allows for a 0-100 range for the volume setting, which is even finer than the Shift-Option technique you describe. You just need a way to trigger the script from your bluetooth input device.

Either way, there's no way I'm aware of (other than programming your own kext in Xcode) to override this kind of functionality.

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Answer 2

Missy5937

Community Specialist

Dec 14, 2021 5:51 PM in response to Fred_on_mac

Hello Fred_on_mac,

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. We understand that you're looking to fine-tune how your Mac adjusts the volume. Reviewing the macOS User Guide there wasn't anything that provided the option to make the changes you'd like with the default setting.

If you'd like to submit feedback to Apple regarding adding this option, you may do so at Product Feedback.

Best regards.

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Change the default granularity of sound volume increments on Mac OS (for the whole system)?

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