Manage Individual App Volume in Windows Taskbar with EarTrumpet

For those who have attempted to enjoy a WhatsApp voice message while immersed in a movie, the constant adjustments of the master volume can be quite vexing. Although Windows features a volume mixer to manage audio levels per application, it is often buried within the Settings panel, making it less user-friendly. This is where the utility of EarTrumpet shines. This tool offers precise audio control for individual applications straight from your taskbar, letting you mute notifications without disrupting the thrilling audio of your movie.

Effortless Volume Control for Individual Apps Using EarTrumpet

EarTrumpet is a complimentary application for Windows that enhances the default volume mixer capabilities, allowing users to manage audio output for each app with ease from the taskbar.

Upon installation, you have the ability to control the volume output of specific applications—such as Chrome alongside Spotify—directly from the taskbar. This application also provides visual feedback on which apps are currently producing sound, and allows for assigning different audio outputs for various applications (for instance, directing music through speakers while handling Zoom calls through headphones).

The integration of EarTrumpet into your taskbar is seamless, and it does not require any account setup post-installation.

How to Set Up EarTrumpet

You can easily download EarTrumpet from the Microsoft Store, ensuring a secure and straightforward installation process.

On your Windows taskbar, the EarTrumpet volume icon resembles the standard Windows speaker icon, often appearing in the Show hidden icons menu. This similarity can lead to confusion, as users find two volume buttons adjacent to each other.

If you’re using Windows 10, you can hide the default volume icon by right-clicking on a blank space on the taskbar and selecting Taskbar settings → Turn system icons on or off. Toggle the Volume switch to Off.

Windows 11 users, however, cannot hide the default volume icon as it remains affixed to the Wi-Fi and Battery indicators. To differentiate between the two icons, a simple tweak can be made to change the EarTrumpet icon:

Click the EarTrumpet icon on your taskbar, navigate to Settings → General, and toggle on Use legacy Ear Trumpet icon.

This adjustment changes the icon from a standard speaker to a distinctive trumpet logo, allowing for easy identification amidst other system icons.

Adjust Audio Levels for Each Application

Clicking the EarTrumpet icon on your taskbar reveals a list of all applications currently playing audio.

To modify an app’s volume level, simply drag the slider corresponding to that application (such as Spotify) to decrease its volume while leaving the overall system volume unaffected.

To mute an app instantly, just click its icon, and it will silence that specific program.

Customizing Audio Outputs for Each Application

Rather than switching your entire system from speakers to headphones, EarTrumpet allows you to assign different apps to specific audio devices. For instance, you might want your music app to stream through external speakers while maintaining calls or meetings on your headphones.

To reassign playback while different audio streams are active, click the EarTrumpet icon, find the application you wish to switch, and right-click on its icon or name. A small context menu will appear with an icon resembling a rightwards arrow over a leftwards arrow (⇄).

A dropdown will list your available playback devices (such as Headphones, Realtek Audio, etc.).Click on the desired device, and the change will be applied immediately.

Impact of EarTrumpet on System Performance and Battery Life

From personal experience, I can confirm that EarTrumpet does not compromise system performance or drain battery life, even on less powerful laptops. This is primarily because it utilizes the existing Windows Audio APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) instead of creating a separate sound engine. Essentially, it acts as an enhancement for features that are already embedded in Windows but remain obscured within various menus.

If you often run multiple audio-producing applications or wish to enjoy soothing background music while engaging in meetings or gaming, EarTrumpet serves as an excellent solution, streamlining audio management effortlessly.

For even more customization options, take the time to explore how to change your Windows notification sounds for an optimized auditory experience.

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