Hi guys,

This morning I had a strange sound problem with P3D5 and QW 787. Every time I contact ATC or if there's chat over ATC from other aircraft, all of my volume levels drop and I have to crank volume up to around 75% (it's usually at around 40%). Then suddenly a minute or so later, all sound levels will suddenly go back to where they were and I have to crank the volume down again.

Can anyone help? It's really affecting use of P3D.

Here are my sound settings... https://imgur.com/wh0gUJn

Thanks,

Ben

That's almost certain a Windows issue. I can't see from your screenshot as the dropdown covers it up, but I'd bet your voice or microphone sound setting is 'default primary communications device'? Windows has a default setting where, when it senses activity on a 'communications' device, it reduces other device volumes. It's supposed to auto-mute other sound when you're making a voice call. Windows will see P3D's voice output as a voice call if you have it set to use the default communications device. 

You can turn this behaviour off. Try these links:

Fix: Volume Automatically Goes Down / Up Windows 10 - Appuals.com

How to Prevent Windows from Automatically Reducing System Volume (techjunkie.com)

It's almost certainly one of those. I had the 'reduce volume when communications is active' problem myself.

Alternatively, if you only have the one sound device, then change all your sound devices to 'default primary playback device' and it should go away. 

Edited February 11, 20215 yr by neilhewitt

Thanks for this Neil.

I had the 'Reduce sound by 80% when communications is active' selected and now appears to be fine. How strange that Windows thinks P3D ATC is real comms!

On a side note...what volume level do people have on the various settings. I have:
Engines 60
Cockpit 100
Environment 100
Voice 100

I mostly use QW787 and PMDG777 so would like to know the best sound settings for those aircraft.

Thanks

I have exactly the same problem with the FSL A321 in P3Dv5.1. When I switched of my computer last night it did an update which I suspect may be the cause of the problem. I'll see if the above advice works on my system.

For what it's worth, the only thing that fixed my problem (the same sudden reduction of volume) was to completely remove all sound devices and codecs and let Windows restore them. I suspect the main culprit was Realtek. 

Hi Ben and Neil

Me too; engine sound drops away when ATC talks and returns loud several seconds after ATC is silent ..........GrrRR!

In football terms, I've just awarded you Goal-Of-The-Month!!

From Neil's links, I simply tried:

Control Panel/Sounds/Communication/change selection from a reduction to "do nothing"

Result = IT WORKS; no engine noise reduction; YOU'VE SOLVED IT

Actually, this 'sound issue' felt even more of a problem as I took it to be a symptom that my system couldn't handle my newly installed P3DV5.1; and I was that close to hitting it with sledge hammer and reinstalling v4.5 hf3. (Though I suppose that could still be true).

Many thanks,

Rod

EGBB

 

Thanks so much for this solution. Windows update must have reset. Can’t recall this setting before. Regardless, thanks a bunch!!

Update on my earlier post.

After the update I checked my system and the 'Do Nothing' option was already checked so I unchecked it then re checked the option but that did not work. I then unchecked the Do Nothing option, rebooted my computer then rechecked the Do Nothing option and this time it worked. 

It seems that a reboot is required in my instance.

Thanks everyone.

On 2/11/2021 at 1:55 PM, rod321 said:

Result = IT WORKS; no engine noise reduction; YOU'VE SOLVED IT

It was annoying for me too...not a big deal but couldn't figure how to fix it....This works. Thank you 

Edited February 15, 20215 yr by cyyzrwy24