hardware volume control

**ODYSSEY** · 03-12-2001, 03:29 PM

How would I go about making a hardware volume control? I'm using a SB Live and all four channels. Before the sound get inputed to the amp I need a hardware volume control. I want to make one knob controling all four channels volume. Is there a POT that contols for items? How do I use the POT, ie which wire goes where? What type of POT do I need. I want to be able to mount the knob in-dash or console. Any suggestion?

ODYSSEY

**Arby** · 03-12-2001, 05:04 PM

There is a small, 5 pin header on the sblive that you can hook up momentary switches to to control the volume. Lemme go find some more info.

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http://mp3box.2y.net

**Arby** · 03-12-2001, 05:36 PM

I'm planning on doing this for my next project, so I dug up a little more info. I took a couple of pictures of my SBLive:

http://mp3box.2y.net/temp/livevol1.jpg
http://mp3box.2y.net/temp/livevol2.jpg

I belive a switch between the top and the bottom would be volume up, and a switch between the middle and bottom would be volume down.

Hope this helps you.

**ODYSSEY** · 03-12-2001, 07:01 PM

That is a good idea. But what if your system/sound card happens to lock-up? I want something that not depentant on the computer. Any suggestions?

ODYSSEY

**Kain101** · 03-12-2001, 07:29 PM

use a poteniometer (it is basically a variable resistor)... wire it so that it has an input and output and u can just connect it between your existing wires with out cutting them

**TheDingo** · 03-12-2001, 09:04 PM

I just have volume control built in to hot keys on my touchpad...

**ODYSSEY** · 03-12-2001, 10:36 PM

Any type of poteniometer? Do I need 1K, 10K?I was thinking about using 4 like the one below. Then just stacking the four on top of each other and put a rod in the hole.

**Caviar** · 03-12-2001, 10:55 PM

chek out Tehota's thread...... he has added volume switches to his Passat.

**Kain101** · 03-12-2001, 11:52 PM

go with the 10k... and i like the stacking idea

**Mp3_Truck** · 03-13-2001, 01:53 PM

im staying away from the soundblaster live and going with a hercules 5.1 with upfront bay contols and rear rca ouputs, i beleive they make a model with hardware volume built into the bay, i just have to see if it controls the front bay outputs or the rca rear outputs.