Windows 11 might have a better audio mixer in the foreseeable future.
Microsoft revealed it is testing a newly redesigned audio mixer for its Windows 11 systems, allowing users to tune their audio experience better and manage their favorite apps.
Microsoft also mentioned that Windows 11 users should have the newly revamped volume mixer soon.
Windows 11 Redesigned Volume Mixer Details
Microsoft mentioned in its latest Windows Insider Blog post that it is introducing a new enhanced volume mixer into Quick Settings, allowing Windows 11 users to quickly customize audio on a per-app basis with additional control to swap devices on the fly. It even provides a toggle to switch between spatial sound technologies like Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos.
Additionally, Microsoft also gave the new volume mixer a new keyboard shortcut to open the volume mixer without bringing up the desktop with ALT+TAB, providing users with faster and easier access to the new volume mixer. As a result, users can soon press WIN + CTRL + V to open the new volume mixer whenever they want to tweak the volumes of specific apps on demand.
While the news of a new volume mixer for Windows 11 with these abilities is welcome, it isn't anything new, according to Bleeping Computer. The publication mentions that the new volume mixer is similar to the popular EarTrumpet volume control mod for Windows.
For those unaware, the third-party Windows mod provides users with controls for modern and classic app volumes along with support for moving apps between their playback devices, per Windows Report and EarTrumpet's official website.
Additionally, it also provides two-click default audio device controls and even has Feedback Hub integration, allowing users to send their feedback about the app with Windows' Feedback Hub app.
Interestingly, the app is available on both Windows 10 and 11, meaning that Windows 10 users can also have the same volume tuning capabilities as its more advanced counterpart, though not natively.
Once Microsoft begins its official rollout for its new volume mixer for Windows 11, users can locate the new mixer inside the Quick Settings Panel on the Windows taskbar, accessible by clicking on the volume icon, per The Verge.
Windows 11 New Volume Mixer Release Date
Windows 11's new volume mixer is part of the new Preview Build 25309, which is being rolled out to testers in the Windows 11 Insider Dev channel for testing.
Unfortunately, Microsoft has yet to provide an official launch date for the new volume mixer for Windows 11, nor did the company mention anything about bringing a similar change to its aging Windows 10 operating system.
However, the release of the new feature to testers in the Windows 11 Insider Dev channel could mean it should be well on its way to becoming publicly available soon.
Regardless, the addition of the new volume mixer is a step in the right direction for Microsoft to catch up to third-party options.
