Digital volume control

Hello every one I have a project I would like to try at work. We have an old radio at one bench and speakers running to every other bench. The volume is a pain to change. I thought what if I built an app that every one can change the volume individualy on our own workstations. I tried doing some reading on digital pots but I'm still lost in the sauce and am in serrious need of help.

So I need something to controll the speakers and design the app to controll the speakers from multiple computers on a network.

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shabaz over 6 years ago

Wow, I'm not sure I could work with a speaker nearby that I couldn't easily turn down/switch off at times.
If you're just interested in productivity and want to have a quick solution, consider something like this 12-way rotary switch12-way rotary switch
and lots of 10 ohm resistors (probably 1/2W ones should be fine, but I don't know what power level the amp operates at, so you may wish to go for (say) 1W resistors for some of them).
Not the same as a remote-controlled app, but maybe quicker to assemble, connected directly to the speaker connections on your desk.
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shabaz over 6 years ago

Wow, I'm not sure I could work with a speaker nearby that I couldn't easily turn down/switch off at times.
If you're just interested in productivity and want to have a quick solution, consider something like this 12-way rotary switch12-way rotary switch
and lots of 10 ohm resistors (probably 1/2W ones should be fine, but I don't know what power level the amp operates at, so you may wish to go for (say) 1W resistors for some of them).
Not the same as a remote-controlled app, but maybe quicker to assemble, connected directly to the speaker connections on your desk.
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Jan Cumps over 6 years ago in reply to shabaz

shabaz wrote:

.... but I don't know what power level the amp operates at, ‘..
30 Watt per channel. It’s a serious kit.
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shabaz over 6 years ago in reply to Jan Cumps

I see.. in that case, if it's cranked to the max, then at least 7W per resistor is needed for the first couple, reducing to about 5W or below for the remainder. These MCKNP 5W resistors are cheap, some could be paralleled for >7W capability (i.e. just buy all of the same value to get cheaper bulk cost).
But it's not the same as digital control so maybe a redundant suggestion.
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ctucht16 over 6 years ago in reply to shabaz

Thank you but its not a fix I need quick its more of a project I want to try.
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billpenner over 6 years ago in reply to ctucht16

Question. Do you want the volume controls at the amplifier or at each speaker.
If at each speaker, google "speaker volume controls" there many to choose from.
Impedance matching is probably necessary unless you are using low wattage speakers
in which case, a simple low wattage wire wound potentiometer might work.
These methods would require the Max volume to be set at the amplifier with the individual controls set at 0 Ohms
each station could then reduce the volume as needed. the value of pots would need to be selected so as to allow desired volume reduction.
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