Alsamixer or Pulseaudio reverts PCM channel level to 100% in 14.04

Question

Why does the PCM slider go up to 100% every time I change volume with media keys, or restart my Dell E1405? How do I make it stay at 81% (which is one step below the red line)?

Answer 1

The answer to this question solved the problem:

gksudo gedit /usr/share/pulseaudio/alsa-mixer/paths/analog-output.conf.common

and change:

[Element PCM]
volume = merge

to:

[Element PCM]
volume = ignore

Note that a reboot is required for this to take hold.