[Openal] Implementing an adjustable master volume

[Jörn Koch]

Dear list,

searching through the list I found that the best way of implementing an 
adjustable master volume with OpenAL is changing the listener gain, that 
affects the gain of all sounds audible for this listener.

My question is how this listener gain interacts with OS volume controls. 
Can I be certain that the user will hear something if the listener gain 
is 1.0 even if the master volume control of the Windows mixer is set to 
zero or do these controls overwrite the gain set in OpenAL?

Are there differences with generic/native OpenAL implementations?

If the OpenAL gain is indeed affected by OS volume controls, what is the 
best way to handle this? Implement OS specific code to control the OS 
mixer controls or is there a general way of doing this?

Thanks in advance!

Best regards
Jörn