Volume control for multiple output devices. Speakers and/or headset
My work has changed over to VOIP phones now. Getting Audio out from more than 1 Device is not working properly.
Here is what I have learned so far:
To get Volume from the Headset, you need to select the headset from PREF>Sound>OUTPUT and INPUT and select Headset name. But doing this kills the sound from the speakers.
If you want to watch/listen to something you want your speakers/headphones, but if someone calls you would have to go to settings to switch to the Headset.
This is an Obviously Problem.
[BANDAID SOLUTION]
- Open "AUDIO MIDI Setup" from /UTILITIES
- Click + (Add) at the bottom
- Choose Multi Output Device or Aggregate Device (Output ONLY device / Output and Input devices) - In my case, only the Multi Output Device works—Partially, I'll explain in a moment.
- Check off your Line Out (should be your Speakers / Headphone)
- Check off your Headset
- [WARNING] - Next step you may want the headphones off your head
- Go to "System Preferences" > Sound > Output > select Multi Output device
- Go to "System Preferences" > Sound > Input > select headset device (this is your Mic)
As mentioned, this is a Bandaid / Partial solution. You'll now note that your Volume controls no longer work. The Volume is set to MAX and you'll ONLY be able to change the volume on your earpiece, and if your desktop speakers have a volume knob, there too. But the volume control is now dead.
What's really funny is that our SMART Phones are Smarter than our computers. If you're listening to music, it's smart enough to turn off the music an answer phone, Why can't a Computer figure this out?
VOIP is OLD news these days, I'm surprised a decade later this problem still exists!
Has anyone Solved this yet?
3.2 GHz Quad-OTHER, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4), 24 GB 1066 DDR3 ECC
