[jeenam]

This message post is for folks who are using the original Mojo, or really any USB interface device that does NOT have volume control with MacOS. OP - if you're reading this, add it to the FAQ.

The geniuses over at Apple don't include any built-in functionality to control volume for output devices such as DACs. To say this is stupid would be an understatement because the functionality is built into Windows. I had searched for months for a workaround and came across a few solutions, all of them paid at ridiculously stupid costs of $30-$40 such as Soundsource and SoundControl. There's a free utility called BackgroundMusic but it routes audio internally to a virtual microphone device which causes MacOS to display the stupidly annoying and bright orange icon in the menu bar. Randomly I came across a reddit post for someone who created a utility that solves the volume control problem for DAC's with MacOS - AND IT'S FREE.

*shakes fist at Apple and the greedy devs of Soundsource and SoundControl*

https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMu...made_a_utility_for_the_mac_that_lets_you_use/

The link to the software is https://github.com/briankendall/proxy-audio-device.

After installing the software, reboot your Mac. Then open the proxy-audio-device settings app and select the Mojo as the Proxied Device. Set the audio output on your Mac to 'Proxy Audio Device'. Now you can control the volume of the Mojo on MacOS using the volume slider or the volume keys on your keyboard.

 

[thePhones]

This message post is for folks who are using the original Mojo, or really any USB interface device that does NOT have volume control with MacOS. OP - if you're reading this, add it to the FAQ.

The geniuses over at Apple don't include any built-in functionality to control volume for output devices such as DACs. To say this is stupid would be an understatement because the functionality is built into Windows. I had searched for months for a workaround and came across a few solutions, all of them paid at ridiculously stupid costs of $30-$40 such as Soundsource and SoundControl. There's a free utility called BackgroundMusic but it routes audio internally to a virtual microphone device which causes MacOS to display the stupidly annoying and bright orange icon in the menu bar. Randomly I came across a reddit post for someone who created a utility that solves the volume control problem for DAC's with MacOS - AND IT'S FREE.

*shakes fist at Apple and the greedy devs of Soundsource and SoundControl*

https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMu...made_a_utility_for_the_mac_that_lets_you_use/

The link to the software is https://github.com/briankendall/proxy-audio-device.

After installing the software, reboot your Mac. Then open the proxy-audio-device settings app and select the Mojo as the Proxied Device. Set the audio output on your Mac to 'Proxy Audio Device'. Now you can control the volume of the Mojo on MacOS using the volume slider or the volume keys on your keyboard.

Just know that you are no longer sending bit perfect data to the dac which might impact sound quality.

 

[jeenam]

Just know that you are no longer sending bit perfect data to the dac which might impact sound quality.

I'm well aware of that. If anyone has that minor complaint about signal integrity that's up to them. The effect on signal quality is minimal and easily trumped by the convenience of being able to control volume locally from within the OS.

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Just know that you are no longer sending bit perfect data to the dac which might impact sound quality.

I suppose blasting yourself deaf with bit perfect audio at 120dB will be preferable

 

[thePhones]

I suppose blasting yourself deaf with bit perfect audio at 120dB will be preferable

No, but using Mojo‘s audibly transparent volume control is.

 

[Joe Bloggs]

No, but using Mojo‘s audibly transparent volume control is.

@jeenam is that an option at all? I'll leave it to you guys to sort this out...

 

[jeenam]

@jeenam is that an option at all? I'll leave it to you guys to sort this out...

Loved your reply.

My use case is that I'm using the Mojo as an audio output device with MacOS. My speakers are far field and I'm using the Mojo as a DAC. The speakers are active and there is no preamp in the signal chain. The Mojo sits around 10 feet from my listening position so it's a bit inconvenient for me to get up to manually adjust the volume on the Mojo using the buttons. I run a USB cable from the Mac to the Mojo and wanted a way to control the volume, so this solves that problem for me. I leave the Mojo output at ~2V, and adjust volume from the OS. I could care less about losing a little resolution compared to the convenience of having volume control without having to get up every time I want to adjust the volume.

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Loved your reply.

My use case is that I'm using the Mojo as an audio output device with MacOS. My speakers are far field and I'm using the Mojo as a DAC. The speakers are active and there is no preamp in the signal chain. The Mojo sits around 10 feet from my listening position so it's a bit inconvenient for me to get up to manually adjust the volume on the Mojo using the buttons. I run a USB cable from the Mac to the Mojo and wanted a way to control the volume, so this solves that problem for me. I leave the Mojo output at ~2V, and adjust volume from the OS. I could care less about losing a little resolution compared to the convenience of having volume control without having to get up every time I want to adjust the volume.

ah, I was under the impression from your post that the Mojo couldn't control volume at all in that situation.

I myself find myself cranking volume on speakers, DACs, etc. and keeping PC output volume low in various situations. Whether it be for convenience, or because I actually have 6 speakers and six volume knobs at the end to deal with--and I can only volume match them once. When volume is attenuated digitally dither should be applied. So if you can't hear the noise floor of the result, you shouldn't be able to hear any effect the volume control has on the signal other than... volume control, either.

All IMHO of course.

 

[Pimsilveira]

Can anyone advise please?
I am thinking about buying a battery to replace the original one.
I found one on Amazon but it is only 1200mAh - see image. Do you think this will be a good option? Is 1200mAh enough or should I buy one with more capacity? Thanks!

 

[bikutoru]

Can anyone advise please?
I am thinking about buying a battery to replace the original one.
I found one on Amazon but it is only 1200mAh - see image. Do you think this will be a good option? Is 1200mAh enough or should I buy one with more capacity? Thanks!

This one worked for me: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802337782912.html

 

[Pimsilveira]

This one worked for me: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802337782912.html

Thanks!
Have you been using it for long?
Any problems?
How long does it last comparing with the original one?

 

[bikutoru]

Thanks!
Have you been using it for long?
Any problems?
How long does it last comparing with the original one?

No problem at all. I have not timed the battery to the end. The longest, during last few month was around 4 hours and I did not get to the red led light.
It's been a year since I replaced it(took me under 10 min), but I do not use it daily(only when I go to the office), since I have Mojo2/Poly, TT2, etc.
Sometimes I do not use it for weeks and when I turn it on, the battery appears to be full, like it has not lost much charge.
For around $10 I think I got way more than I hoped for.

 

[Pimsilveira]

No problem at all. I have not timed the battery to the end. The longest, during last few month was around 4 hours and I did not get to the red led light.
It's been a year since I replaced it(took me under 10 min), but I do not use it daily(only when I go to the office), since I have Mojo2/Poly, TT2, etc.
Sometimes I do not use it for weeks and when I turn it on, the battery appears to be full, like it has not lost much charge.
For around $10 I think I got way more than I hoped for.

Thank you for your feedback.

Has anyone had experience with other replacement batteries for the mojo?

 

[Pimsilveira]

One alternative I think, is to disconnect the battery and use a powerbank connected to the micro usb charging port.
Has anyone done this and if yes, how is it working?
What powerbank would work well in this situation?
Thanks everybody

 

[captblaze]

One alternative I think, is to disconnect the battery and use a powerbank connected to the micro usb charging port.
Has anyone done this and if yes, how is it working?
What powerbank would work well in this situation?
Thanks everybody

Mojo needs 7.4V to operate