EarTrumpet Setup Guide
Installing EarTrumpet gets the app onto your system, but a short setup pass makes it genuinely convenient to use every day. This guide covers the handful of things worth checking or adjusting right after install, none of which take more than a minute or two each.
If you haven't installed EarTrumpet yet, start with EarTrumpet installation first.
Pin the tray icon so it's always visible
By default, Windows may tuck the EarTrumpet icon into the hidden icons area. Click the small upward arrow near the clock, find EarTrumpet, and drag it out onto the main taskbar tray so it's always one click away rather than two.
Confirm your default playback device
Right-click the EarTrumpet icon and choose Playback devices to see everything currently connected. Make sure the device you use most (speakers, headset, monitor audio) is set as default, since apps opened for the first time typically follow that default device unless you route them individually.
Set a hotkey for instant access
- Right-click the EarTrumpet tray icon and open its settings
- Find the hotkey option and assign a key combination you don't already use elsewhere
- Test it by pressing the hotkey; the flyout should open immediately without touching the mouse
Route specific apps to specific devices
Open the EarTrumpet flyout while an app is playing audio, and use its device dropdown to send that app's output to a different device — for example, sending a game to speakers while a call goes to a headset. This setting typically persists for that app going forward.
This is the feature that most distinguishes EarTrumpet's day-to-day usefulness from Windows' native per-app volume screen, covered in more depth on the EarTrumpet features page.
Match your Windows theme
EarTrumpet automatically follows whichever light or dark theme you've set under Settings > Personalization > Colors, so there's nothing extra to configure here — just confirm the theme you want is already set at the Windows level.
Know your fallback shortcuts
Right-clicking the EarTrumpet icon also gives you one-click access to the legacy volume mixer (sndvol.exe) and Windows Sound settings, useful if you ever need a setting EarTrumpet itself doesn't expose, such as spatial sound formats or exclusive-mode device settings.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set a hotkey for EarTrumpet?
Right-click the tray icon, open settings, and assign a hotkey combination there; it opens the flyout instantly once set.
Why isn't my EarTrumpet icon visible?
It may be tucked into Windows' hidden icons area; click the small arrow near the clock and drag it out onto the visible tray.
Can I set a different output device for each app?
Yes, open the EarTrumpet flyout and use each app's device dropdown to route it independently.
Does EarTrumpet remember my per-app device choices?
Yes, per-app device assignments typically persist across sessions for that app.
Do I need to configure anything for dark mode?
No, EarTrumpet automatically follows your existing Windows theme setting.
Once configured, explore the full EarTrumpet features list to get the most out of it.