Help Volume boosting app for MAXX HD? Better sounds available?

[djhmis]

Hi all,

I just bought my first 4G phone less than 2 weeks ago, a RAZR MAXX HD. While I like the 4G features, I really miss the volume on my old 3G phone, and the choice of sounds. I work in a loud lab and need to be able to hear the ring or text tone; and at home, I'd like to be able to hear a call or a text from another room. The maximum volume on the MAXX HD is still not enough, and the stock sounds are like New Age hippie music rather than distinct, sharp sounds that cut through background noise (yeah, I'm 49 years old). So here is what I'm asking:

1) Does anyone know of a reliable app that will actually boost the volume from the speaker?

2) I don't want to hack or "root" the phone or whatever you kids call it these days.

3) I know almost nothing about smartphones... please be kind.

Thanks,
DJ

 

[PowrDroid]

Coming from a Droid 2, I find the speaker on the Maxx HD to be much, much louder, so I do not use an app to boost volume. In fact I rarely have the speaker turned all the way up.

There are separate loudness controls for ringtones, notifications, and alarms. Have you set them up? Here's how:

Tap Settings > Tap Sound > Tap Volumes then adjust slider bars.

If you don't like the stock ringtones or notifications an easy way to sample and download other ringtones is to get the Zedge app on the Google Play store.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.zedge.android

Once you have the app on your phone there are hundreds of ringtones and notifications to choose from. Keep us posted as to how you proceed.

 

[djhmis]

Thanks, I did find the volume controls and set them all to max. Not as loud as I want it, though.

 

[djhmis]

Well I looked at that app and found some better ringtones and notifications. Those will help. I tried some of the volume-boosting apps, but none of the free ones I've tried so far seem to do anything, or at least, not that I can tell, except install bloatware and spam ads.

 

[Methos1979]

Well I looked at that app and found some better ringtones and notifications. Those will help. I tried some of the volume-boosting apps, but none of the free ones I've tried so far seem to do anything, or at least, not that I can tell, except install bloatware and spam ads.

I don't think there is an app that can actually 'boost' the amount of volume, since the volume is a function of hardware and not software, at least on the top end. You can get apps that can control the volume and also shape with equalization, but I doubt there is anything that will actually boost the total volume louder than what the device will allow you do do manually.

One thing you can do (which you have already done to some extent) is to find certain tones that cut through your standard background noise of the various environments you work in. You can also use most any recording app to create your own and find loud, obnoxious sounds to record and then use as your various notification sounds.

I did this for my chess program. I used to always say "Chess Move" in this shrill, silly voice when I would get a chess move notification. So I just recorded myself saying this and then saved it and now when I get a chess move notification, my phone plays me saying "Chess Move". Drives my kids insane!

 

[Marc_G]

One further idea is to work with the ringtone or notification sound in an audio editing program (usually on a PC/Mac) so that the encoded sound is inherently louder.

I did this back in my blackberry days when my Pearl was not loud enough. I took my usual ringtone MP3 and opened it in I think Wavepad. There was a function to amplify it or some such that made the sounds louder at a given computer or phone volume. Using the higher end of the audio dynamic range rather than the middle. After doing that I brought the tone over to the phone and it was much louder.

Good luck!

 

[PowrDroid]

One further idea is to work with the ringtone or notification sound in an audio editing program (usually on a PC/Mac) so that the encoded sound is inherently louder.

I did this back in my blackberry days when my Pearl was not loud enough. I took my usual ringtone MP3 and opened it in I think Wavepad. There was a function to amplify it or some such that made the sounds louder at a given computer or phone volume. Using the higher end of the audio dynamic range rather than the middle. After doing that I brought the tone over to the phone and it was much louder.

Good luck!

Yes, good point. I use Audacity, a free shareware audio editing program.

Open the file with Audacity on your PC, Click Edit, Click Select All (entire waveform is now highlighted), Click Effect, Click Amplify, Type in 3.0 dB and click OK. Repeat as necessary.

 

[Methos1979]

One further idea is to work with the ringtone or notification sound in an audio editing program (usually on a PC/Mac) so that the encoded sound is inherently louder.

I did this back in my blackberry days when my Pearl was not loud enough. I took my usual ringtone MP3 and opened it in I think Wavepad. There was a function to amplify it or some such that made the sounds louder at a given computer or phone volume. Using the higher end of the audio dynamic range rather than the middle. After doing that I brought the tone over to the phone and it was much louder.

Good luck!

+1 on this as well - I did the same thing way back, using WavPad (free Windows program) and did exactly what this poster did - boost the volume and re-save then re-import to the phone and viola - a MUCH louder ringtone/notification.

 

[jtc303]

One further idea is to work with the ringtone or notification sound in an audio editing program (usually on a PC/Mac) so that the encoded sound is inherently louder.

I did this back in my blackberry days when my Pearl was not loud enough. I took my usual ringtone MP3 and opened it in I think Wavepad. There was a function to amplify it or some such that made the sounds louder at a given computer or phone volume. Using the higher end of the audio dynamic range rather than the middle. After doing that I brought the tone over to the phone and it was much louder.

Good luck!

along the same lines...the app ringtone maker allows you to increase volume if you want

||Speak of the Devil, and he shall appear...

 

[jroc]

The speaker on the Maxx HD is plenty loud....but Android after ICS has some soft ring tones....dont know why Google decided to do that. I use an old ringtone called digital phone. I found it somewhere online. I also use my old ringtones and alarm tones from my Droid 1 and Droid X1. Rooster alarm from one of those 2 is nice and loud.

If anything you might just need to do whats already been posted.....or find louder ringtones. Its louder or as loud as than my last 4 Android phones....Droid X, RAZR, G Nex, Rezound. RAZR and Rezound probably were as loud or a lil softer than my Maxx HD.

The Maxx HD is the first smartphone I had I dont have the volume at 100% listening to music...and I sometimes have to turn it down on phone calls.