Voice volume apps/software?

December 30, 2022 8:03 AM

ISO an app, website, or low-install-need software that gives visual feedback on voice volume (from microphone input).

I've received feedback from a few people that I can get really loud on conference calls when I'm in (open space) office. I genuinely feel terrible about this and want to fix it! I strongly suspect I have ADHD and I think this is related.

I do try to keep one ear of my headset off (so that I can be mindful of my volume and surrounding noise), and I try my best to move into conference rooms for more talk-y calls but they're not always available. However sometimes I just get distracted, forget, then have a (usually very productive and good!) work convo, after which a nearby colleague will come by and kindly tell me that I was basically yelling.

What I would love to supplement my various approaches is an app that I could train at different speaking volumes to give me a visual warning when I'm getting too loud. Does anyone know of something like this?

One caveat: this would be on a work computer, so could be tricky to install some software.

Thanks!

posted by Paper rabies to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

Best answer: If you have Zoom, you already have this. In the Settings screen, under Audio, there's a Microphone Input Level meter. I think most videoconferencing platforms have this. At least, Webex does too, and those are the only ones I have access to. You can keep the Settings window open during a call and use it as a monitor. The main benefit of this is that the levels are actually being monitored by the same program your interlocutors are using to hear you, so it'll be an accurate representation of what they hear.
posted by kevinbelt at 8:23 AM on December 30, 2022 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I don't have a specific recommendations, but it sounds like you are looking for a decibel meter. If you search in your phone app store you should have a lot of options. Most will give you a visual indication as well as numerical indication of how loud it is.
posted by phil at 8:23 AM on December 30, 2022

You might be able to set yourself up to self-correct by turning up your microphone volume in your headphones so you sound quite loud to yourself when speaking. This will naturally make you talk more quietly when you’re getting loud.
posted by music for skeletons at 10:28 AM on December 30, 2022

You might be able to set yourself up to self-correct by turning up your microphone volume in your headphones so you sound quite loud to yourself when speaking.

Specifically, in Windows 10, you can do this pretty easily:

- hit Start, type "mmsys.cpl" (this brings up the old Windows 7 style audio settings)
- in "Recording" tab, find your mic, hit Properties (edit: also this tab is another way to see your mic levels when you're talking, it's not super responsive though)
- in "Listen" tab, tick "Listen to this device" and pick the appropriate output device

There's a small audio delay when you do this though so it might not do the trick.
posted by neckro23 at 4:04 PM on December 30, 2022

Response by poster: We do use Zoom, so that might be my best bet. Unfortunately I think the suggestions to get my voice as feedback will be too distracting to be helpful but I can give that s try too. Thanks,, everyone!
posted by Paper rabies at 9:40 AM on December 31, 2022