Roon and Apogee Element

[Cemil]

In my ‘studio’, I use Apogee Element for Audio Output out or my iMac (as well as input but irrelevant here).

For some reason, I am unable to control headphone volume either from Roon or from the Apogee Element Control App. By using Device Control, I can control the speaker volume (from the volume control in Roon), but however I try, the only way to change headphone volume is to close Roon, change the volume, restart Roon. Really annoying.

What am I missing here?

[john (John Iburg)]

Hello @Cemil,

Are you able to switch the setting for “Keyboard Volume” in the Apogee Element Control software? It should give you options for “Speaker” or “Headphone”. I do not have an Apogee Element device to confirm, but this may allow you to switch which volume control is modified by Roon and other system applications.

-John

[Cemil]

I am able to switch, but the volume doesn’t respond to the keyboard commands. Somehow, Roon is not allowing the Element Control software to work.

[john (John Iburg)]

Hello @Cemil,

When Roon is playing to the device and “Exclusive Mode” is enabled, all inputs to the device besides for Roon playback and controls will be ignored. This is how all audio applications using CoreAudio Exclusive Mode function. If you’d like to be able to more quickly allow the Apogee application to have access to the device, you can initiate a “hard pause” in Roon which will release the device from Exclusive Mode by pausing with the keyboard combo of “cmd” + “T”.

-John

[Cemil]

Thanks - I’ll try it