Easy Mac Hacks: Volume-Control Shortcuts

Every Monday we show you how to do something quick and cool using with Mac OS X. Sometimes it's a tutorial on a lesser-known feature, other times it's a trick that uses built-in functionality such as Terminal — either way, these simple tips can make life better and easier, and they don’t require any special knowledge. All you need to do is follow the instructions!

The various beeps and boops your Mac makes have been a staple of Mac OS since its earliest inception. From alerting you to the volume change to the beloved startup chime that declares that you're proudly using a Mac, these sounds have defined the Mac experience throughout the years. In this how-to, we'll show you how to more easily and effectively tame these sounds and their volume in OS X.

Change Volume with no Sound: Shift + Volume Keys

In recent versions of OS X, Apple has given users the ability to mute the popping sound that alerts you to the fact you changed the volume. This setting is enabled by default, but can be disabled or enabled by doing these steps:

• Open System Preferences.
• Open the Sound preference pane.
• Click the Sound Effects tab.
• Check or uncheck the option for "Play feedback when volume is changed" for your preference.

However, let's say that you like this sound and simply want to temporarily mute it while changing the volume during a video or presentation, perhaps. You can do that by holding down the Shift button when you change the volume on your keyboard. While this modifier key is held down, the "pop" sound will be gone.

Change Volume in Increments: Shift + Option + Volume Keys

What if you'd like to change the volume with a little extra precision? Well, OS X can gladly accommodate your need. While holding down the Shift and Option keys, use the volume keys on the keyboard. When you do this, you can adjust the volume in partial increments instead of full increments.

This nifty feature lets you get just the right amount of volume, and is extremely useful when you have sensitive external speakers plugged into your Mac.

Start up with No Chime: Power + F10

Have you ever been in a quiet location and didn't want to make a loud "BONG!" sound when starting up your Mac? Well, you can circumvent that by simply starting up your Mac whilst holding down the F10 (mute volume key). This will temporarily mute the startup chime for that one boot.

If you're looking to mute it for good, check out the next tip.

Disable Startup Chime Completely

Let's say you're really tired of the Mac startup chime. You want to get rid of it for good? Well, you came to the right place! Simply open up the Terminal application (located in /Applications/Utilities), then type the following:

sudo nvram SystemAudioVolume=%80

Press enter, then type your OS X password to make the setting change stick. Now, whenever you restart your Mac, you'll no longer hear the boot chime.

If, down the road, you want to give your Mac its voice back, simply re-open the Terminal and type the following command:

sudo nvram -d SystemAudioVolume

After pressing enter and typing your password, your Mac will once again produce the startup chime on boot.