Several system settings, which can be disturbed by other software, affect the volume of the sounds played in the ChordWizard workspace.

The Check Sound window can diagnose and fix most problems with sound settings that are preventing the sounds from being heard, and it can be accessed with the following command:

Menu

Help-Check Sound

You can have a sound settings check performed each time you start ChordWizard, with an option in the General page.  You will be alerted and guided to the Check Sound window if any problems are detected.

The Check Sound window displays the current status of the most important system settings, and offers a diagnosis and automatic fix for any conditions which are not ideal.

Critical settings which are probably causing problems are shown in light red. 

Low settings which may be causing problems are shown in dark red. 

Acceptable settings are shown in green.

Controls

Main Volume

This is the main Windows volume setting, which controls the output level of all forms of sound on the system.

In Windows Vista (unlike earlier versions) each application is responsible for its own volume level, so the displayed value relates to ChordWizard only.

Wave Volume

This is the Wave channel volume, which controls the output level of recorded waveform audio, including Wave and Mp3 files.

There are only a couple of waveform sounds in the How Music Works tutorials, but some Midi devices (such as software synths) actually send their generated sound output through this channel.

In Windows Vista (unlike earlier versions), there is often no separate Wave output channel, and this will simply display the same level as the main volume.

Midi Volume

This is the Midi channel volume, which controls the output level of generated sound from Midi Output devices and MID files.

Most of the sounds in the How Music Works tutorials are generated by a Midi Output device, which is most likely to use this channel.

In Windows Vista (unlike earlier versions), there is often no separate Midi output channel, and this will not display a level value.

Midi Output

This is the Midi Output device which is currently being used for sound output.  The selected device can be changed in the Workspace Options, and you should try the other available devices if you are having problems that are not being diagnosed.

The best device will depend on your particular system configuration, and it is possible that some devices may not work properly even if they seem to be a valid selection.  For example, a Midi port device requires that an external synthesizer or sound module is connected to the computer.

Test Sound

Plays a sample sound to audition the current state of the system sound settings.  If all settings are appropriate, you should be able to hear this sound at a comfortable volume.

Diagnosis

A paragraph of text appears here, summarizing the results of the sound check, and showing the recommended corrective action if required.

You can take this action manually, or use the Fix button to have the correction made for you.

Fix

This button performs the recommended corrective action as shown in the Diagnosis area.  The test sound will be played immediately afterwards.

This is normally all that is required to restore wayward sound settings to appropriate levels.

System Mixer

This button opens the System Mixer window, which allows you to manually change the volume levels and mute settings for the Main, Midi and Wave output channels.  Other channels may also be shown, but these are not generally used by ChordWizard.

Close

Closes the Check Sound window and returns to the workspace.

Help

Opens ChordWizard Help at this topic.