Bug 487323

Summary: "balance" button in "sound" systems settings results in a single volume cursor, but does not balance volume on the two channels
Product: [Applications] systemsettings Reporter: Sergio <sergio.callegari>
Component: kcm_pulseaudioAssignee: Plasma Bugs List <plasma-bugs-null>
Status: RESOLVED FIXED    
Severity: minor CC: isma.af, me, nate
Priority: NOR Keywords: usability
Version First Reported In: 6.0.4   
Target Milestone: ---   
Platform: Other   
OS: Linux   
Latest Commit: https://invent.kde.org/plasma/plasma-pa/-/commit/ced81b868c429b831116d598880feca064a8317a Version Fixed/Implemented In: 6.2
Sentry Crash Report:

Description Sergio 2024-05-21 13:33:54 UTC 
SUMMARY

Suppose that you have the volumes on the left and right channels unbalanced (e.g. you see two cursor bars one at 10% on left, one 50% on right). You press the balance button. Those two bars turn into one. You expect the volumes for both channels to be the same now, but they remain unbalanced.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Open the sound system settings
2. Adjust volume for the two channels so that they are unbalanced
3. Press balance

OBSERVED RESULT

You see the two controls for the left and right channel turning into one, but the unbalance remains (check with sound reproduction).

EXPECTED RESULT

The two channels should be set at the same volume.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Operating System: Manjaro Linux 
KDE Plasma Version: 6.0.4
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.1.0
Qt Version: 6.7.0
Kernel Version: 6.8.9-3-MANJARO (64-bit)
Graphics Platform: Wayland
Processors: 16 × AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS with Radeon Graphics
Memory: 30.6 GiB of RAM
Graphics Processor: AMD Radeon Graphics
Manufacturer: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
Product Name: ROG Zephyrus G14 GA402RK_GA402RK
System Version: 1.0

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This might be a regression in plasma 6
Comment 1 Nate Graham 2024-05-22 19:21:10 UTC 
"Balance" is a toggle button that shows you the balance settings. It isn't saying "press me to balance the channels". Maybe we have to make the button text clearer or use a different UI element.
Comment 2 Sergio 2024-05-23 09:14:22 UTC 
That clarifies, however I still think that the UI (and its discoverability) could be improved.

If for some reason you get with the volumes unbalanced (not necessarily because you messed with them, in some occasions I had the hardware coming up with this after a boot), you do not see that. Probably, the channels should always be shown independently when they are not equalized.

In addition to that, even if I am not a native speaker, I get the impression that the word "balance" is perceived as implying an even distribution and might get interpreted as a verb "do achieve an even distribution". May I suggest renaming "balance" as "show channels"  and possibly when the individual channels are shown add an equalize button under the mute one?



and you see a "balance" button you might interpret it as a verb (do balance the buttons). I am not a native speaker, so I may be wrong, though. May I suggest that the "balance" button is renamed "show channels" or just channels and that possibly a "balance channels" button is added?
Comment 3 Bug Janitor Service 2024-05-23 19:12:54 UTC 
A possibly relevant merge request was started @ https://invent.kde.org/plasma/plasma-pa/-/merge_requests/260
Comment 4 Nate Graham 2024-06-08 02:30:03 UTC 
Git commit ced81b868c429b831116d598880feca064a8317a by Nate Graham.
Committed on 08/06/2024 at 02:30.
Pushed by ngraham into branch 'master'.

KCM: rename "Balance" button for clarity

In English this word could be read as a noun ("see the balance") or an
imperative verb ("balance the things"). Let's clarify this by changing
the text to indicate what the button will actually do: show the audio
channels so you can adjust them.
FIXED-IN: 6.2

M  +6    -6    src/kcm/ui/DeviceListItem.qml

https://invent.kde.org/plasma/plasma-pa/-/commit/ced81b868c429b831116d598880feca064a8317a