Five-Channel Volume Mixer Swaps Out the Sliders for Dials

In today’s multitasking world, it’s possible to have several sources of audio playing on your computer at once. As such, a single volume control like those available on some keyboards, doesn’t always fit the bill. You could go into the individual programs with a keyboard and mouse, but with SNR Tech Bytes' five-channel encoder-based mixer, you don’t have to!

The device is based on the deej open source hardware volume mixer, previously featured on Hackster. Instead of potentiometers, however, this new controller employs a series of five encoders. These turn the volume up and down for each app or set of apps, and giving the user a nice tactile feedback when manipulated.

Additionally, each encoder features a button that is activated when pushed down, allowing the unit to mute and unmute a channel immediately. The mute status is indicated by a series of NeoPixels below the encoders, which light up red for off or green for active. These lights are diffused through a clever multi-material print that shows an icon for each source.

An Arduino MKR Zero provides processing power for the device, which cleverly mounts in a receptacle for the header pins that is built into the 3D-printed enclosure. A program running on the computer is used to modify program volumes based on Arduino input, which can be set up to accommodate a particular user’s needs.

Code and more info for this clever mixer is available on SNR Tech Bytes' GitHub page.