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Audio Sliders offers several advantages over the normal Windows volume controls (found in the system tray or Control Panel/Sounds and Audio Devices/Volume). The first is its diminutive size. The Windows volume control panel is rather large, while Audio Sliders is tiny--especially when the drop-down controls are hidden. This means you can leave it open and on top of other windows with little visual interference.

Audio Sliders is also highly and easily configurable. Right-click on the Audio Slider window and you can easily switch between soundcards, as well as tweak the appearance and any number of other parameters. The program offers six switchable layouts (only two are functioning in the trial version) that you can configure to match your sound devices.

Everything I've described is all well and good, but in my book--not particularly compelling. It wasn't till I discovered Audio Slider's OSD (On Screen Display) that I stopped thinking of the program as merely a slightly rounder wheel. When you change the master volume or mute your soundcard using one of the Audio Slider's computer keyboard shortcuts, a larger meter transparently overlays the Windows desktop to show you the current setting. Think TV and remote and you've got the idea. Currently only the functions I mentioned are supported by the OSD, though program also provides shortcut support for transport functions such as stop, pause, play, etc.

Thanks to the keyboard shortcuts and OSD, I found Audio Sliders to be a handy adjunct to my audio setup. Code Sector will be missing a sure bet if they don't develop a more comprehensive OSD that also shows your speaker balance, input level, and the like.

--Jon L. Jacobi