Why Volume? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

20th Oct 2012, 9:57 am

It has just struck me, why is the gain control on domestic stuff called volume?

threeseven · 20th Oct 2012, 10:39 am

From a technical perspective it is an anomalous term, only loosely associated by controlling the 'quantity' of sound, which how I think it came into use.
A more correct term, and the one typically used in studio's etc is level.

G0HFCFrank · 20th Oct 2012, 12:36 pm

Just a guess but in the beginning they had to call it something and as the loudness of a mechanical gramophone depended on the size (or volume) of the horn then 'Volume' became the accepted word.
(If any radio archeologist unearths a control knob engraved 'Loudness' please float it here)

Stylo N M · 20th Oct 2012, 1:21 pm

From a non technical point of view, I suppose it's the end result of the level of noise you hear coming from the speaker.

Paul.

M0FYA Andy · 20th Oct 2012, 2:17 pm

Is the 'volume control' normally ever a 'gain control'?
The usual circuit controls the proportion of the signal output of the stage before the control available as an input to the stage after the control, by means of a simple potentiometric divider.
The overall gain of the circuit remains essentially constant, unless I am missing something?
Andy

julie_m · 20th Oct 2012, 2:27 pm

That surely depends whether or not you include the variable attenuator (with a "gain" beteeen -infinity and 0dB) in the circuit whose gain you are measuring.

Refugee · 20th Oct 2012, 5:06 pm

If the pot and also the amplifier were considered as one block then it would indeed vary the gain.
If the volume control was considered on its own it would be a basic potential divider.

M0FYA Andy · 20th Oct 2012, 5:30 pm

OK, I'll accept that whether it is indeed a gain control comes down to how things are defined in the circuit!
Andy

raditechman · 20th Oct 2012, 6:13 pm

Another guess for volume control, I suppose it controls the amount of volume of air that the speaker is moving.
A better term for volume control is "fader".
John

Herald1360 · 20th Oct 2012, 11:27 pm

Since electrical phenomena are often explained by watery analogies, volume control sounds like a pretty fair description of a tap

Ray Cooper · 21st Oct 2012, 9:44 am

'Volume' is in fact a legitimate musical term, and is synonymous with 'loudness', so it's not hard to see why the early set-makers hijacked the word....

21st Oct 2012, 11:20 am

Quote:

'Volume' is in fact a legitimate musical term

That must be the definitive answer, thankyou.

20th Oct 2012, 9:57 am	#1
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Why Volume? It has just struck me, why is the gain control on domestic stuff called volume?

20th Oct 2012, 10:39 am	#2
threeseven Octode Join Date: May 2010 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 1,880	Re: Why Volume From a technical perspective it is an anomalous term, only loosely associated by controlling the 'quantity' of sound, which how I think it came into use. A more correct term, and the one typically used in studio's etc is level.

20th Oct 2012, 12:36 pm	#3
G0HFCFrank Pentode Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Oldham, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 167	Re: Why Volume Just a guess but in the beginning they had to call it something and as the loudness of a mechanical gramophone depended on the size (or volume) of the horn then 'Volume' became the accepted word. (If any radio archeologist unearths a control knob engraved 'Loudness' please float it here)

20th Oct 2012, 1:21 pm	#4
Stylo N M Heptode Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Derby DE1, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 626	Re: Why Volume From a non technical point of view, I suppose it's the end result of the level of noise you hear coming from the speaker. Paul.

20th Oct 2012, 2:17 pm	#5
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: Why Volume Is the 'volume control' normally ever a 'gain control'? The usual circuit controls the proportion of the signal output of the stage before the control available as an input to the stage after the control, by means of a simple potentiometric divider. The overall gain of the circuit remains essentially constant, unless I am missing something? Andy

20th Oct 2012, 2:27 pm	#6
julie_m Dekatron Join Date: May 2008 Location: Derby, UK. Posts: 7,735	Re: Why Volume? That surely depends whether or not you include the variable attenuator (with a "gain" beteeen -infinity and 0dB) in the circuit whose gain you are measuring. __________________ If I have seen further than others, it is because I was standing on a pile of failed experiments.

20th Oct 2012, 5:06 pm	#7
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: Why Volume? If the pot and also the amplifier were considered as one block then it would indeed vary the gain. If the volume control was considered on its own it would be a basic potential divider.

20th Oct 2012, 5:30 pm	#8
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: Why Volume? OK, I'll accept that whether it is indeed a gain control comes down to how things are defined in the circuit! Andy

20th Oct 2012, 6:13 pm	#9
raditechman Heptode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: West London, UK. Posts: 867	Re: Why Volume? Another guess for volume control, I suppose it controls the amount of volume of air that the speaker is moving. A better term for volume control is "fader". John

20th Oct 2012, 11:27 pm	#10
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Why Volume? Since electrical phenomena are often explained by watery analogies, volume control sounds like a pretty fair description of a tap __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

21st Oct 2012, 9:44 am	#11
Ray Cooper Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Porthmadog, Gwynedd, UK. Posts: 199	Re: Why Volume? 'Volume' is in fact a legitimate musical term, and is synonymous with 'loudness', so it's not hard to see why the early set-makers hijacked the word....