[Win7] No easy audio pan/balance control!?

I've just been exploring my new Win7 installation, getting to grips with the new layout and all that, so far I'm liking it a lot, but I've just come across a pretty counter-intuitive design choice which is pretty frustrating.

Basically there seems to be no easy or quick way of controlling the 'pan' or balance of the audio signal in Win7, yet in XP, all you had to do was double click the speaker icon to bring up the mixer and bobs your marley, but now in windows 7 they've tucked this fundamental feature deep within the audio driver settings meaning no more quick access.

Normally I wouldn't need to do this, but when outputting to my hi-fi speakers (for gaming or casual listening) rather than my monitors or headphones I need to pan the signal left quite a bit to counteract some obstructions and equal out the stereo image. I switch between my different outputs frequently for referencing and whatnot, so I'm really missing that XP style quick access pan control!

Edit: BTW I'm using Realteks High Def audio drivers ATM.

Is there any way around this?

Cheers!

 

So often we have to install third-party programs to fix the shortcomings of Windows. This is another example. Last year I found Volume². The name is a misnomer because the program does so much more. With a single click you'll have access to the balance control. There's even a portable version. See screenshots.

http://irzyxa.deviantart.com/art/Volume2-version-1-1-3-247-Release-340146840

BTW Are you enjoying XnView?

 

or
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/get-the-realtek-equalizer-back-in-windows-7-vista/

 

Thanks for the suggestions! For quick panning so far I've been using good old Winamp but obviously only for music or already bounced down tracks.

Heheh, I am indeed enjoying XnView. After having used only Irfan for well over 5 years, Xn seems quite a bit better with its extra format support and nice looking interface. I haven't really delved into it much yet (I've been busy installing Ableton and all my plugins lol as well as migrating loads of files between drives). I still need to try the multi page image option to see if it fits the bill! One thing I miss though, is being able to view next/previous images with the mousewheel only if you're not zoomed, and if zoomed, it scrolls instead. With XnView it skips regardless of zoom but there's probably a setting.

Anyway I'll check out volume2! DeviantArt eh, that reminds me, I need to make an account for my new drawings... Thanks for the registry edit for the Reatek interface too DOA.

 

Balance: Volume² is an amazing program. It even includes a scheduler and shortcut keys.

Winamp: I will use it until I can no more. Visit Winaero for 500+ skins. Have a look at the WMP11 BlueVU skin. I'm still trying to get FFSoX Player sorted to enable Winamp to play all video formats.

XnView: Got to Tools > Options > Keyboard/Mouse and change what the mouse wheel does.

 

Yea, Winamps been my player of choice for as long as I can remember. I used to go skin crazy back in the day, always searching for the sweetest looking new skins but lately I've just been rocking the Winamp classic due to laziness. I was into all the futuristic hardware style skins and IIRC I even had a few real car stereo recreations lol. The visualisations are amazing too, some of them seriously mesmerising, and there seems to be hundreds built in ready to take you on a journey.

Nice skin man, even has VU meters!

I've just been exploring the settings on this Audio2 utility, the level of customization seems pretty tasty especially the user shortcuts. I've finally got my Focusrite 2i2 up & running aswell thanks to the switch to Win7 so its PROPER sound quality from now on lol, no more bottleneckin!g with the inbuilt Realtek HD board!

 

It's great that Volume² has solved your problem. Here's another Winamp skin from Winaero. As yes, some of Winamp's visualisations are unbelievable.