Startup Idea: Smart Volume Modulation Software for Personal Computers

Startup idea to create a user-friendly software that regulates the volume output on personal computers. This software should compress loud sounds and amplify quiet ones, making it perfect for students living in shared spaces. This would allow users to enjoy their multimedia content without disturbing others. Tuning options should be adjustable to the room’s ambient sound level and it should support streaming services, not just downloaded content.

I am a student who lives in a dorm. I often watch TV on my laptop as I cook or eat in the shared kitchen. If I am watching a show which goes from very loud sections to very quiet sections, I often find myself having to constantly adjust the volume so I can hear the quiet sections over the sounds of the cooking, but so that I don't disturb my roommates with the loud sections. This is kind of a pain if I'm cooking, because it means I have to constantly be washing my hands so I don't cover my computer in food.

I would love to have a software which would modulate the volume output of my computer for me. This software would compress the loud sounds to make them more reasonable and bump up the quiet sounds so that they are more audible. Ideally, I would be able to adjust how this works to match the ambient level of the room I am in and this would work for streaming so that I wouldn't have to only watch downloaded content with the software. I've asked around a bit (I have a few friends who work in sound design), but it sounds like most of the options involve bulky software and require me to process the content in advance or use an external sound system. Currently, I just use the volume buttons on my computer as needed.

Submitter: Katherine Craig (view contact info)