[PLUG] Absolute vs. Relative sound level?

[Dick Steffens]

Is there a way to view and change the sound level in Linux? I'm 
interested in knowing what the hardware setting is for playing sound. I 
know I can change the level with the + and - keys on my laptop, or also 
from the program playing the music, but I'd like to know what the system 
thinks the number is from where I start raising or lowering the level, 
and I'd like to be able to set the level to a specific point.

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Regards,
Dick Steffens