pavucontrol is a graphical volume-control utility for PulseAudio and compatible desktop audio setups. Unlike a basic master-volume control, it exposes individual application streams alongside the system’s input and output devices.
Its interface separates playback, recording, output devices, input devices and hardware configuration. This makes it possible to alter the volume of one application without affecting another, move an active stream to a different output, change device ports, and select the appropriate profile for a sound card or Bluetooth device.
pavucontrol remains particularly useful on PipeWire desktops because PipeWire’s PulseAudio compatibility layer allows applications designed for PulseAudio to continue managing streams and devices.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Control the volume of individual playback streams.
- Mute and unmute application streams independently.
- Manage recording streams.
- Adjust input and output device volumes.
- Move playback streams between available output devices.
- Select device ports.
- Configure audio-card profiles.
- Display live volume meters.
- Separate views for playback, recording, outputs, inputs and configuration.
- Works with PipeWire through its PulseAudio compatibility layer.
Website: freedesktop.org/software/pulseaudio/pavucontrol
Support:
Developer: Colin Guthrie
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
pavucontrol is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Graphical Volume Mixers | |
|---|---|
| pwvucontrol | Pipewire volume control |
| KMix | Sound mixer |
| Myxer | Lightweight, powerful volume mixer built with modern UI design |
| pavucontrol | Simple GTK based volume control tool |
| Mixxc | GTK4-based volume mixer |
| xfce4-mixer | Volume control application based on GStreamer |
| volctl | Tray-based mixer with per-application volume control and OSD |
| QasTools | Collection of Qt-based mixer and setup tools |
| Pulsemeeter | Graphical mixer for routing audio through virtual devices |
| pavucontrol-qt | Pulseaudio mixer in Qt |
| deej | Hardware volume mixer |
| Bridge | PipeWire mixer with crossfading between two virtual outputs |
| Mixer | No-frills volume mixer |
| hyprmixer | Volume mixer and media controller |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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