I'm aware I'm not using the textbook correct terminology, but it's the common parlance and may make it easier for some, maybe not.
With ASIO, Internal works in the program. The mouse indicates volume changes independently but there are no results.
System moves the mouse's volume indicator and the program's in sync but with no volume changes, it's on max to the hardware. (that's what I would like to happen but for the volume to change.)
Application indicates the mouse moving but no volume change. The slider in the program does nothing, won't move.
In Wasapi, program's slider works on Internal with no mouse functionality. On application and system, hardware is the only way to change volume.
Direct Sound works on Application with the mouse but not from within the program, it stays at zero.
On internal the mouse works but does not move the program's slider but the program's works independently. The mouse is however in control of the decibel range in the progam, i.e., if the mouse's volume slider is at one quater, that's as loud as the slider will be when it indicates full volume. If the mouse's indicator shows 7/8ths of max volume that what the max of the program will be and so on.
The loudness of the program is directly proportional to the mouse's volume indicator. It is like a brickwall limiter without compression, sorry if you don't understand that, I can't think of anything else. Maybe like the master control.
On system they are inextricably linked, the mouse works and moves the slider with the program and vice versa. The way I am wondering if ASIO can work. The way I WANT it to work.
This is the way I leave it because that's the functionality I need right now. I am separating to a different computer and DACs for 'audiophile' listening in my treated studio/mix room. Or maybe for mastering.
But for now this is what I need it to do.
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Matt, the response after your comment (I'm sorry I forgot the name and can't see it from here) is almost exactly right. It is like the mouse wheel in VLC, it's just a 13 button Logitech mouse that has an extra wheel for the thumb to use.