Fix MAME volume that is too low on Android without masking missing sound
Start with Android media volume and the active output route, then inspect MAME's master attenuation. In upstream MAME, `volume 0` is full volume and negative values attenuate it; a value saved in the running system's configuration takes priority over general INI volume. Reset the master and channel sliders before changing audio latency or sample rate. If only one machine remains quiet or incomplete, follow its device, sample, and emulation-status evidence instead of amplifying every game.
Do this in order
- 01
Record the Android media-volume level, active speaker, wired or Bluetooth route, Android port, upstream MAME revision, machine short name, and whether every known-good game or only one title is quiet.
- 02
Use a verified control game, restore MAME master attenuation to 0 dB, and reset per-channel Slider Controls rather than raising unrelated machine inputs.
- 03
Inspect the system-specific configuration because an in-UI volume change is saved there and takes priority over volume in general INI files.
- 04
If the port exposes MAME 0.289 Audio Mixer, verify that an output route exists and that its route or channel level was not reduced; otherwise use only the wrapper's documented audio surface.
- 05
Keep sample rate, audio latency, renderer, speed, and effects at the control baseline; they diagnose quality or continuity and should not hide a simple attenuation fault.
- 06
Cold-relaunch the same game and a control game, then follow missing samples, device ROM, imperfect-sound, or Android route diagnostics only for the branch that remains different.
Decision and diagnostic table
| Observation | Likely layer | Next check |
|---|---|---|
| All games are quiet | Android route or MAME master attenuation | Media output, 0 dB master, mixer route |
| One game is quiet | Saved system CFG or machine audio | Reset its sliders and read driver status |
| Some effects are absent | Samples or emulated sound device | Audit named sample or device requirements |
| Audio is broken below full speed | Performance or buffer underrun | Restore speed before changing volume |
MAME volume is attenuation
MAME documents `volume` in decibels with zero as no attenuation, or full volume. A negative value such as -12 dB makes output quieter. Resetting to zero is the clean baseline before investigating gain elsewhere.
The running system can override the general INI
MAME saves a user-interface volume change in the system configuration, and that saved value has priority over general INI volume settings. Editing the global file alone can therefore appear to do nothing for one title.
Low level and missing sound are different failures
Slider and mixer controls change routed output. They cannot supply a missing sample file, repair a device ROM, correct imperfect emulation, or recover real-time performance. Compare one control game and follow the narrow evidence branch.
Audio diagnosis does not authorize game or sound assets. Use lawful content and do not download or distribute ROMs, device ROMs, sample packs, music, recordings, artwork, or private logs from unreviewed sources.