Is there a list of the sound-generating System events for OS X? How to tweak?

Question

Level 1

4 points

Is there a list of the sound-generating System events for OS X? How to tweak?

I work with a community with some minor physical and visual impairments. I have limited current OS X experience, and I am volunteering on their behalf. But this question is not directly about OS X assistive technologies. Right now, we would just like to add more+additional sound effects than seems to be the default for OS 10.8.

In particular we would like:

A loud sound when a USB device has become unplugged (when plugged in would be nice as well.)

A clear sound when a password has been entered incorrectly.

One of my users swears these sound events are already in there, and I am inclined to believe her. But confirming this is difficult on Mac OS 10.8.4 The “Sound Effects” dialog in the System Preferences only seems to be for alerts.

So two questions:

What are all the system sound events in OS 10.8.4

How can we configure the sounds that are played for individual events?

Thank you!

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)

Posted on Jun 18, 2013 4:25 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Jun 18, 2013 4:31 PM in response to Charlweed

Sound volume can be controled by going to System Preferences > Sound and set sound, volume, etc.

Individual applications, like Mail, have in the Preferences under the apps name on the menu bar, control to play a sound with certain actions.

Check each app you are concerned with and see what controls you want to use.

Reply

Answer 2

Charlweed Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 18, 2013 4:36 PM in response to Ralph Landry1

No Apps at all.

System events. USB becomming unplugged, and Password authentication failing.

Overall volume is not an issue either.

Reply

Answer 3

Jun 18, 2013 4:40 PM in response to Charlweed

Unplugging USB and Password authentication do not have alert sounds...at least my Macs have never made any.

Reply

Answer 4

Jun 18, 2013 5:49 PM in response to Charlweed

The only system level alerts are those for things like startup, clicking where you aren't supposed to...but not for the kinds of things you are seeking. There are the alerts listed in Notification center, but those are associated with apps.

Reply

Answer 5

BobHarris

Level 9

53,003 points

Jun 18, 2013 6:31 PM in response to Charlweed

Growl.info and HardwareGrowler can play sounds when hardware in attached/removed.

Unplugged can tell you if your laptop power adaptor has been plugged in or unplugged.

Reply

Answer 6

Charlweed Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 20, 2013 4:47 PM in response to Charlweed

Thanks guys.

The Growl is not a handy solution, as I would have to purchase with my own $$$ get my "friends" on the app store, and install it on several Macs, but maybe I can get someone to write a free one. I think that there is sufficient need in this community.

It seems strange that there are plenty of sounds for stuff like downloads finishing, copies failing, putting something in the Trash etc., but there is no documentation for them, and no way to customize them.

Reply