What is EarTrumpet?

Updated

EarTrumpet is a volume control app for Windows. It replaces or supplements the default Windows volume flyout with per-app volume control, so you can set the loudness of each program individually instead of only adjusting one system-wide level. It is aimed at Windows users who want faster, more granular control over what is playing on their machine. The official site also notes that experimental dev builds are available for people who want to try what's coming next.

What problem it solves

Windows already lets you change the overall system volume, and it does expose per-app levels in the Volume Mixer. The friction is access: the built-in mixer takes extra clicks to reach, and it is not always convenient when you just want to quiet one app.

EarTrumpet puts per-application volume front and center. Instead of hunting through settings, you get a list of apps that are currently producing sound and a slider for each one.

Typical situations where this matters:

  • A browser tab or game is too loud while you want to keep music playing at the same level.
  • A communication app (calls, voice chat) needs to be louder than background audio.
  • You want to mute a single program without muting everything.
  • You switch between output devices (speakers, headphones) and want quick control each time.

How it works

EarTrumpet hooks into the Windows audio session system. Windows tracks each app that plays audio as a separate session, and EarTrumpet surfaces those sessions as individual controls.

The practical result:

  • Per-app volume sliders — adjust one program without touching others.
  • Per-app mute — silence a single app instantly.
  • Default device switching — move playback between output devices.
  • Quick access — the controls live in the taskbar area, so they are reachable without opening full settings.

Because it relies on Windows audio sessions, only apps that are actively using audio appear in the list. If a program is not playing anything, there may be nothing to adjust until it starts.

Who it is for

EarTrumpet fits you if:

  • You are on Windows and frequently juggle multiple audio sources.
  • You find the built-in Volume Mixer slow to reach.
  • You want per-app control without installing a large audio suite.

It is less relevant if you only ever change one global volume level, or if you already use a broader audio management tool that covers the same ground.

Experimental builds

The site mentions that experimental dev builds are available "if you want to try what's coming next." These are pre-release versions, so expect rougher edges than a stable release. If stability matters more than early features, stick with the standard version.

Getting started

  1. Go to the EarTrumpet site and get the app for Windows.
  2. Install and launch it.
  3. Play audio in one or more apps so they register as active sessions.
  4. Open EarTrumpet from the taskbar and drag the slider for the app you want to change.
  5. Use the mute control on any single app when you need silence from just that source.

If an app does not show up, make sure it is actually producing sound — inactive sessions may not appear until playback starts.