diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 9a775d4c..d549c71f 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -6,10 +6,29 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html) since v0.2.0.
 
 ## [Unreleased]
+### Added
+- [playback] Add `--volume-range` option to set dB range and control `log` and `cubic` volume control curves
+- [playback] `alsamixer`: support for querying dB range from Alsa softvol
+
+### Changed
+* [audio, playback] Moved `VorbisDecoder`, `VorbisError`, `AudioPacket`, `PassthroughDecoder`, `PassthroughError`, `AudioError`, `AudioDecoder` and the `convert` module from `librespot-audio` to `librespot-playback`. The underlying crates `vorbis`, `librespot-tremor`, `lewton` and `ogg` should be used directly. (breaking)
+- [connect, playback] Moved volume controls from `connect` to `playback` crate
+* [connect] Synchronize player volume with mixer volume on playback
+- [playback] Make cubic volume control available to all mixers with `--volume-ctrl cubic`
+- [playback] Normalize volumes to `[0.0..1.0]` instead of `[0..65535]` for greater precision and performance (breaking)
+- [playback] `alsamixer`: complete rewrite (breaking)
+- [playback] `alsamixer`: query card dB range for the `log` volume control unless specified otherwise
+- [playback] `alsamixer`: use `--device` name for `--mixer-card` unless specified otherwise
+
+### Fixed
+- [connect] Fix step size on volume up/down events
+- [playback] Fix `log` and `cubic` volume controls to be mute at zero volume
+- [playback] `alsamixer`: make `cubic` consistent between cards that report minimum volume as mute, and cards that report some dB value
+- [playback] `alsamixer`: make `--volume-ctrl {linear|log}` work as expected
 
 ### Removed
-
-* [librespot-audio] Removed `VorbisDecoder`, `VorbisError`, `AudioPacket`, `PassthroughDecoder`, `PassthroughError`, `AudioError`, `AudioDecoder` and the `convert` module from `librespot_audio`. The underlying crates `vorbis`, `librespot-tremor`, `lewton` and `ogg` should be used directly.
+- [connect] Removed no-op mixer started/stopped logic
+- [playback] `alsamixer`: removed `--mixer-linear-volume` option; use `--volume-ctrl linear` instead
 
 ### Fixed
 
diff --git a/connect/src/spirc.rs b/connect/src/spirc.rs
index eeb840d2..76cf7054 100644
--- a/connect/src/spirc.rs
+++ b/connect/src/spirc.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ use std::pin::Pin;
 use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
 
 use crate::context::StationContext;
-use crate::core::config::{ConnectConfig, VolumeCtrl};
+use crate::core::config::ConnectConfig;
 use crate::core::mercury::{MercuryError, MercurySender};
 use crate::core::session::Session;
 use crate::core::spotify_id::{SpotifyAudioType, SpotifyId, SpotifyIdError};
@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@ struct SpircTask {
     device: DeviceState,
     state: State,
     play_request_id: Option<u64>,
-    mixer_started: bool,
     play_status: SpircPlayStatus,
 
     subscription: BoxedStream<Frame>,
@@ -82,13 +81,15 @@ pub enum SpircCommand {
 }
 
 struct SpircTaskConfig {
-    volume_ctrl: VolumeCtrl,
     autoplay: bool,
 }
 
 const CONTEXT_TRACKS_HISTORY: usize = 10;
 const CONTEXT_FETCH_THRESHOLD: u32 = 5;
 
+const VOLUME_STEPS: i64 = 64;
+const VOLUME_STEP_SIZE: u16 = 1024; // (std::u16::MAX + 1) / VOLUME_STEPS
+
 pub struct Spirc {
     commands: mpsc::UnboundedSender<SpircCommand>,
 }
@@ -163,10 +164,10 @@ fn initial_device_state(config: ConnectConfig) -> DeviceState {
                 msg.set_typ(protocol::spirc::CapabilityType::kVolumeSteps);
                 {
                     let repeated = msg.mut_intValue();
-                    if let VolumeCtrl::Fixed = config.volume_ctrl {
-                        repeated.push(0)
+                    if config.has_volume_ctrl {
+                        repeated.push(VOLUME_STEPS)
                     } else {
-                        repeated.push(64)
+                        repeated.push(0)
                     }
                 };
                 msg
@@ -214,36 +215,6 @@ fn initial_device_state(config: ConnectConfig) -> DeviceState {
     }
 }
 
-fn calc_logarithmic_volume(volume: u16) -> u16 {
-    // Volume conversion taken from https://www.dr-lex.be/info-stuff/volumecontrols.html#ideal2
-    // Convert the given volume [0..0xffff] to a dB gain
-    // We assume a dB range of 60dB.
-    // Use the equation: a * exp(b * x)
-    // in which a = IDEAL_FACTOR, b = 1/1000
-    const IDEAL_FACTOR: f64 = 6.908;
-    let normalized_volume = volume as f64 / std::u16::MAX as f64; // To get a value between 0 and 1
-
-    let mut val = std::u16::MAX;
-    // Prevent val > std::u16::MAX due to rounding errors
-    if normalized_volume < 0.999 {
-        let new_volume = (normalized_volume * IDEAL_FACTOR).exp() / 1000.0;
-        val = (new_volume * std::u16::MAX as f64) as u16;
-    }
-
-    debug!("input volume:{} to mixer: {}", volume, val);
-
-    // return the scale factor (0..0xffff) (equivalent to a voltage multiplier).
-    val
-}
-
-fn volume_to_mixer(volume: u16, volume_ctrl: &VolumeCtrl) -> u16 {
-    match volume_ctrl {
-        VolumeCtrl::Linear => volume,
-        VolumeCtrl::Log => calc_logarithmic_volume(volume),
-        VolumeCtrl::Fixed => volume,
-    }
-}
-
 fn url_encode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> String {
     form_urlencoded::byte_serialize(bytes.as_ref()).collect()
 }
@@ -280,9 +251,8 @@ impl Spirc {
 
         let (cmd_tx, cmd_rx) = mpsc::unbounded_channel();
 
-        let volume = config.volume;
+        let initial_volume = config.initial_volume;
         let task_config = SpircTaskConfig {
-            volume_ctrl: config.volume_ctrl.to_owned(),
             autoplay: config.autoplay,
         };
 
@@ -302,7 +272,6 @@ impl Spirc {
             device,
             state: initial_state(),
             play_request_id: None,
-            mixer_started: false,
             play_status: SpircPlayStatus::Stopped,
 
             subscription,
@@ -318,7 +287,12 @@ impl Spirc {
             context: None,
         };
 
-        task.set_volume(volume);
+        if let Some(volume) = initial_volume {
+            task.set_volume(volume);
+        } else {
+            let current_volume = task.mixer.volume();
+            task.set_volume(current_volume);
+        }
 
         let spirc = Spirc { commands: cmd_tx };
 
@@ -437,20 +411,6 @@ impl SpircTask {
         dur.as_millis() as i64 + 1000 * self.session.time_delta()
     }
 
-    fn ensure_mixer_started(&mut self) {
-        if !self.mixer_started {
-            self.mixer.start();
-            self.mixer_started = true;
-        }
-    }
-
-    fn ensure_mixer_stopped(&mut self) {
-        if self.mixer_started {
-            self.mixer.stop();
-            self.mixer_started = false;
-        }
-    }
-
     fn update_state_position(&mut self, position_ms: u32) {
         let now = self.now_ms();
         self.state.set_position_measured_at(now as u64);
@@ -600,7 +560,6 @@ impl SpircTask {
                         _ => {
                             warn!("The player has stopped unexpectedly.");
                             self.state.set_status(PlayStatus::kPlayStatusStop);
-                            self.ensure_mixer_stopped();
                             self.notify(None, true);
                             self.play_status = SpircPlayStatus::Stopped;
                         }
@@ -659,7 +618,6 @@ impl SpircTask {
                     info!("No more tracks left in queue");
                     self.state.set_status(PlayStatus::kPlayStatusStop);
                     self.player.stop();
-                    self.mixer.stop();
                     self.play_status = SpircPlayStatus::Stopped;
                 }
 
@@ -767,7 +725,6 @@ impl SpircTask {
                     self.device.set_is_active(false);
                     self.state.set_status(PlayStatus::kPlayStatusStop);
                     self.player.stop();
-                    self.ensure_mixer_stopped();
                     self.play_status = SpircPlayStatus::Stopped;
                 }
             }
@@ -782,7 +739,11 @@ impl SpircTask {
                 position_ms,
                 preloading_of_next_track_triggered,
             } => {
-                self.ensure_mixer_started();
+                // Synchronize the volume from the mixer. This is useful on
+                // systems that can switch sources from and back to librespot.
+                let current_volume = self.mixer.volume();
+                self.set_volume(current_volume);
+
                 self.player.play();
                 self.state.set_status(PlayStatus::kPlayStatusPlay);
                 self.update_state_position(position_ms);
@@ -792,7 +753,6 @@ impl SpircTask {
                 };
             }
             SpircPlayStatus::LoadingPause { position_ms } => {
-                self.ensure_mixer_started();
                 self.player.play();
                 self.play_status = SpircPlayStatus::LoadingPlay { position_ms };
             }
@@ -962,7 +922,6 @@ impl SpircTask {
             self.state.set_playing_track_index(0);
             self.state.set_status(PlayStatus::kPlayStatusStop);
             self.player.stop();
-            self.ensure_mixer_stopped();
             self.play_status = SpircPlayStatus::Stopped;
         }
     }
@@ -1007,19 +966,13 @@ impl SpircTask {
     }
 
     fn handle_volume_up(&mut self) {
-        let mut volume: u32 = self.device.get_volume() as u32 + 4096;
-        if volume > 0xFFFF {
-            volume = 0xFFFF;
-        }
-        self.set_volume(volume as u16);
+        let volume = (self.device.get_volume() as u16).saturating_add(VOLUME_STEP_SIZE);
+        self.set_volume(volume);
     }
 
     fn handle_volume_down(&mut self) {
-        let mut volume: i32 = self.device.get_volume() as i32 - 4096;
-        if volume < 0 {
-            volume = 0;
-        }
-        self.set_volume(volume as u16);
+        let volume = (self.device.get_volume() as u16).saturating_sub(VOLUME_STEP_SIZE);
+        self.set_volume(volume);
     }
 
     fn handle_end_of_track(&mut self) {
@@ -1243,7 +1196,6 @@ impl SpircTask {
             None => {
                 self.state.set_status(PlayStatus::kPlayStatusStop);
                 self.player.stop();
-                self.ensure_mixer_stopped();
                 self.play_status = SpircPlayStatus::Stopped;
             }
         }
@@ -1273,8 +1225,7 @@ impl SpircTask {
 
     fn set_volume(&mut self, volume: u16) {
         self.device.set_volume(volume as u32);
-        self.mixer
-            .set_volume(volume_to_mixer(volume, &self.config.volume_ctrl));
+        self.mixer.set_volume(volume);
         if let Some(cache) = self.session.cache() {
             cache.save_volume(volume)
         }
diff --git a/core/src/config.rs b/core/src/config.rs
index 9c70c25b..db990419 100644
--- a/core/src/config.rs
+++ b/core/src/config.rs
@@ -108,33 +108,7 @@ impl Default for DeviceType {
 pub struct ConnectConfig {
     pub name: String,
     pub device_type: DeviceType,
-    pub volume: u16,
-    pub volume_ctrl: VolumeCtrl,
+    pub initial_volume: Option<u16>,
+    pub has_volume_ctrl: bool,
     pub autoplay: bool,
 }
-
-#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
-pub enum VolumeCtrl {
-    Linear,
-    Log,
-    Fixed,
-}
-
-impl FromStr for VolumeCtrl {
-    type Err = ();
-    fn from_str(s: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
-        use self::VolumeCtrl::*;
-        match s.to_lowercase().as_ref() {
-            "linear" => Ok(Linear),
-            "log" => Ok(Log),
-            "fixed" => Ok(Fixed),
-            _ => Err(()),
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-impl Default for VolumeCtrl {
-    fn default() -> VolumeCtrl {
-        VolumeCtrl::Log
-    }
-}
diff --git a/playback/src/config.rs b/playback/src/config.rs
index feb1d61e..9f8d97e1 100644
--- a/playback/src/config.rs
+++ b/playback/src/config.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::player::NormalisationData;
+use super::player::db_to_ratio;
 use crate::convert::i24;
 
 use std::convert::TryFrom;
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ pub enum NormalisationType {
 impl FromStr for NormalisationType {
     type Err = ();
     fn from_str(s: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
-        match s {
+        match s.to_lowercase().as_ref() {
             "album" => Ok(Self::Album),
             "track" => Ok(Self::Track),
             _ => Err(()),
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ pub enum NormalisationMethod {
 impl FromStr for NormalisationMethod {
     type Err = ();
     fn from_str(s: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
-        match s {
+        match s.to_lowercase().as_ref() {
             "basic" => Ok(Self::Basic),
             "dynamic" => Ok(Self::Dynamic),
             _ => Err(()),
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ impl Default for NormalisationMethod {
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
 pub struct PlayerConfig {
     pub bitrate: Bitrate,
+    pub gapless: bool,
     pub normalisation: bool,
     pub normalisation_type: NormalisationType,
     pub normalisation_method: NormalisationMethod,
@@ -128,7 +129,6 @@ pub struct PlayerConfig {
     pub normalisation_attack: f32,
     pub normalisation_release: f32,
     pub normalisation_knee: f32,
-    pub gapless: bool,
     pub passthrough: bool,
 }
 
@@ -136,16 +136,56 @@ impl Default for PlayerConfig {
     fn default() -> PlayerConfig {
         PlayerConfig {
             bitrate: Bitrate::default(),
+            gapless: true,
             normalisation: false,
             normalisation_type: NormalisationType::default(),
             normalisation_method: NormalisationMethod::default(),
             normalisation_pregain: 0.0,
-            normalisation_threshold: NormalisationData::db_to_ratio(-1.0),
+            normalisation_threshold: db_to_ratio(-1.0),
             normalisation_attack: 0.005,
             normalisation_release: 0.1,
             normalisation_knee: 1.0,
-            gapless: true,
             passthrough: false,
         }
     }
 }
+
+// fields are intended for volume control range in dB
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug)]
+pub enum VolumeCtrl {
+    Cubic(f32),
+    Fixed,
+    Linear,
+    Log(f32),
+}
+
+impl FromStr for VolumeCtrl {
+    type Err = ();
+    fn from_str(s: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
+        Self::from_str_with_range(s, Self::DEFAULT_DB_RANGE)
+    }
+}
+
+impl Default for VolumeCtrl {
+    fn default() -> VolumeCtrl {
+        VolumeCtrl::Log(Self::DEFAULT_DB_RANGE)
+    }
+}
+
+impl VolumeCtrl {
+    pub const MAX_VOLUME: u16 = std::u16::MAX;
+
+    // Taken from: https://www.dr-lex.be/info-stuff/volumecontrols.html
+    pub const DEFAULT_DB_RANGE: f32 = 60.0;
+
+    pub fn from_str_with_range(s: &str, db_range: f32) -> Result<Self, <Self as FromStr>::Err> {
+        use self::VolumeCtrl::*;
+        match s.to_lowercase().as_ref() {
+            "cubic" => Ok(Cubic(db_range)),
+            "fixed" => Ok(Fixed),
+            "linear" => Ok(Linear),
+            "log" => Ok(Log(db_range)),
+            _ => Err(()),
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/playback/src/mixer/alsamixer.rs b/playback/src/mixer/alsamixer.rs
index 5e0a963f..62009184 100644
--- a/playback/src/mixer/alsamixer.rs
+++ b/playback/src/mixer/alsamixer.rs
@@ -1,218 +1,264 @@
-use super::AudioFilter;
-use super::{Mixer, MixerConfig};
-use std::error::Error;
+use crate::player::{db_to_ratio, ratio_to_db};
 
-const SND_CTL_TLV_DB_GAIN_MUTE: i64 = -9999999;
+use super::mappings::{LogMapping, MappedCtrl, VolumeMapping};
+use super::{Mixer, MixerConfig, VolumeCtrl};
 
-#[derive(Clone)]
-struct AlsaMixerVolumeParams {
-    min: i64,
-    max: i64,
-    range: f64,
-    min_db: alsa::mixer::MilliBel,
-    max_db: alsa::mixer::MilliBel,
-    has_switch: bool,
-}
+use alsa::ctl::{ElemId, ElemIface};
+use alsa::mixer::{MilliBel, SelemChannelId, SelemId};
+use alsa::{Ctl, Round};
+
+use std::ffi::CString;
 
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct AlsaMixer {
     config: MixerConfig,
-    params: AlsaMixerVolumeParams,
+    min: i64,
+    max: i64,
+    range: i64,
+    min_db: f32,
+    max_db: f32,
+    db_range: f32,
+    has_switch: bool,
+    is_softvol: bool,
+    use_linear_in_db: bool,
 }
 
-impl AlsaMixer {
-    fn pvol<T>(&self, vol: T, min: T, max: T) -> f64
-    where
-        T: std::ops::Sub + Copy,
-        f64: std::convert::From<<T as std::ops::Sub>::Output>,
-    {
-        f64::from(vol - min) / f64::from(max - min)
-    }
-
-    fn init_mixer(mut config: MixerConfig) -> Result<AlsaMixer, Box<dyn Error>> {
-        let mixer = alsa::mixer::Mixer::new(&config.card, false)?;
-        let sid = alsa::mixer::SelemId::new(&config.mixer, config.index);
-
-        let selem = mixer.find_selem(&sid).unwrap_or_else(|| {
-            panic!(
-                "Couldn't find simple mixer control for {},{}",
-                &config.mixer, &config.index,
-            )
-        });
-        let (min, max) = selem.get_playback_volume_range();
-        let (min_db, max_db) = selem.get_playback_db_range();
-        let hw_mix = selem
-            .get_playback_vol_db(alsa::mixer::SelemChannelId::mono())
-            .is_ok();
-        let has_switch = selem.has_playback_switch();
-        if min_db != alsa::mixer::MilliBel(SND_CTL_TLV_DB_GAIN_MUTE) {
-            warn!("Alsa min-db is not SND_CTL_TLV_DB_GAIN_MUTE!!");
-        }
-        info!(
-            "Alsa Mixer info min: {} ({:?}[dB]) -- max: {} ({:?}[dB]) HW: {:?}",
-            min, min_db, max, max_db, hw_mix
-        );
-
-        if config.mapped_volume && (max_db - min_db <= alsa::mixer::MilliBel(24)) {
-            warn!(
-                "Switching to linear volume mapping, control range: {:?}",
-                max_db - min_db
-            );
-            config.mapped_volume = false;
-        } else if !config.mapped_volume {
-            info!("Using Alsa linear volume");
-        }
-
-        if min_db != alsa::mixer::MilliBel(SND_CTL_TLV_DB_GAIN_MUTE) {
-            debug!("Alsa min-db is not SND_CTL_TLV_DB_GAIN_MUTE!!");
-        }
-
-        Ok(AlsaMixer {
-            config,
-            params: AlsaMixerVolumeParams {
-                min,
-                max,
-                range: (max - min) as f64,
-                min_db,
-                max_db,
-                has_switch,
-            },
-        })
-    }
-
-    fn map_volume(&self, set_volume: Option<u16>) -> Result<u16, Box<dyn Error>> {
-        let mixer = alsa::mixer::Mixer::new(&self.config.card, false)?;
-        let sid = alsa::mixer::SelemId::new(&*self.config.mixer, self.config.index);
-
-        let selem = mixer.find_selem(&sid).unwrap();
-        let cur_vol = selem
-            .get_playback_volume(alsa::mixer::SelemChannelId::mono())
-            .expect("Couldn't get current volume");
-        let cur_vol_db = selem
-            .get_playback_vol_db(alsa::mixer::SelemChannelId::mono())
-            .unwrap_or(alsa::mixer::MilliBel(-SND_CTL_TLV_DB_GAIN_MUTE));
-
-        let mut new_vol: u16 = 0;
-        trace!("Current alsa volume: {}{:?}", cur_vol, cur_vol_db);
-
-        match set_volume {
-            Some(vol) => {
-                if self.params.has_switch {
-                    let is_muted = selem
-                        .get_playback_switch(alsa::mixer::SelemChannelId::mono())
-                        .map(|b| b == 0)
-                        .unwrap_or(false);
-                    if vol == 0 {
-                        debug!("Toggling mute::True");
-                        selem.set_playback_switch_all(0).expect("Can't switch mute");
-
-                        return Ok(vol);
-                    } else if is_muted {
-                        debug!("Toggling mute::False");
-                        selem.set_playback_switch_all(1).expect("Can't reset mute");
-                    }
-                }
-
-                if self.config.mapped_volume {
-                    // Cubic mapping ala alsamixer
-                    // https://linux.die.net/man/1/alsamixer
-                    // In alsamixer, the volume is mapped to a value that is more natural for a
-                    // human ear. The mapping is designed so that the position in the interval is
-                    // proportional to the volume as a human ear would perceive it, i.e. the
-                    // position is the cubic root of the linear sample multiplication factor. For
-                    // controls with a small range (24 dB or less), the mapping is linear in the dB
-                    // values so that each step has the same size visually. TODO
-                    // TODO: Check if min is not mute!
-                    let vol_db = (self.pvol(vol, 0x0000, 0xFFFF).log10() * 6000.0).floor() as i64
-                        + self.params.max_db.0;
-                    selem
-                        .set_playback_db_all(alsa::mixer::MilliBel(vol_db), alsa::Round::Floor)
-                        .expect("Couldn't set alsa dB volume");
-                    debug!(
-                        "Mapping volume [{:.3}%] {:?} [u16] ->> Alsa [{:.3}%] {:?} [dB] - {} [i64]",
-                        self.pvol(vol, 0x0000, 0xFFFF) * 100.0,
-                        vol,
-                        self.pvol(
-                            vol_db as f64,
-                            self.params.min as f64,
-                            self.params.max as f64
-                        ) * 100.0,
-                        vol_db as f64 / 100.0,
-                        vol_db
-                    );
-                } else {
-                    // Linear mapping
-                    let alsa_volume =
-                        ((vol as f64 / 0xFFFF as f64) * self.params.range) as i64 + self.params.min;
-                    selem
-                        .set_playback_volume_all(alsa_volume)
-                        .expect("Couldn't set alsa raw volume");
-                    debug!(
-                        "Mapping volume [{:.3}%] {:?} [u16] ->> Alsa [{:.3}%] {:?} [i64]",
-                        self.pvol(vol, 0x0000, 0xFFFF) * 100.0,
-                        vol,
-                        self.pvol(
-                            alsa_volume as f64,
-                            self.params.min as f64,
-                            self.params.max as f64
-                        ) * 100.0,
-                        alsa_volume
-                    );
-                };
-            }
-            None => {
-                new_vol = (((cur_vol - self.params.min) as f64 / self.params.range) * 0xFFFF as f64)
-                    as u16;
-                debug!(
-                    "Mapping volume [{:.3}%] {:?} [u16] <<- Alsa [{:.3}%] {:?} [i64]",
-                    self.pvol(new_vol, 0x0000, 0xFFFF),
-                    new_vol,
-                    self.pvol(
-                        cur_vol as f64,
-                        self.params.min as f64,
-                        self.params.max as f64
-                    ),
-                    cur_vol
-                );
-            }
-        }
-
-        Ok(new_vol)
-    }
-}
+// min_db cannot be depended on to be mute. Also note that contrary to
+// its name copied verbatim from Alsa, this is in millibel scale.
+const SND_CTL_TLV_DB_GAIN_MUTE: MilliBel = MilliBel(-9999999);
+const ZERO_DB: MilliBel = MilliBel(0);
 
 impl Mixer for AlsaMixer {
-    fn open(config: Option<MixerConfig>) -> AlsaMixer {
-        let config = config.unwrap_or_default();
+    fn open(config: MixerConfig) -> Self {
         info!(
-            "Setting up new mixer: card:{} mixer:{} index:{}",
-            config.card, config.mixer, config.index
+            "Mixing with alsa and volume control: {:?} for card: {} with mixer control: {},{}",
+            config.volume_ctrl, config.card, config.control, config.index,
         );
-        AlsaMixer::init_mixer(config).expect("Error setting up mixer!")
+
+        let mut config = config; // clone
+
+        let mixer =
+            alsa::mixer::Mixer::new(&config.card, false).expect("Could not open Alsa mixer");
+        let simple_element = mixer
+            .find_selem(&SelemId::new(&config.control, config.index))
+            .expect("Could not find Alsa mixer control");
+
+        // Query capabilities
+        let has_switch = simple_element.has_playback_switch();
+        let is_softvol = simple_element
+            .get_playback_vol_db(SelemChannelId::mono())
+            .is_err();
+
+        // Query raw volume range
+        let (min, max) = simple_element.get_playback_volume_range();
+        let range = i64::abs(max - min);
+
+        // Query dB volume range -- note that Alsa exposes a different
+        // API for hardware and software mixers
+        let (min_millibel, max_millibel) = if is_softvol {
+            let control =
+                Ctl::new(&config.card, false).expect("Could not open Alsa softvol with that card");
+            let mut element_id = ElemId::new(ElemIface::Mixer);
+            element_id.set_name(
+                &CString::new(config.control.as_str())
+                    .expect("Could not open Alsa softvol with that name"),
+            );
+            element_id.set_index(config.index);
+            let (min_millibel, mut max_millibel) = control
+                .get_db_range(&element_id)
+                .expect("Could not get Alsa softvol dB range");
+
+            // Alsa can report incorrect maximum volumes due to rounding
+            // errors. e.g. Alsa rounds [-60.0..0.0] in range [0..255] to
+            // step size 0.23. Then multiplying 0.23 by 255 incorrectly
+            // returns a dB range of 58.65 instead of 60 dB, from
+            // [-60.00..-1.35]. This workaround checks the default case
+            // where the maximum dB volume is expected to be 0, and cannot
+            // cover all cases.
+            if max_millibel != ZERO_DB {
+                warn!("Alsa mixer reported maximum dB != 0, which is suspect");
+                let reported_step_size = (max_millibel - min_millibel).0 / range;
+                let assumed_step_size = (ZERO_DB - min_millibel).0 / range;
+                if reported_step_size == assumed_step_size {
+                    warn!("Alsa rounding error detected, setting maximum dB to {:.2} instead of {:.2}", ZERO_DB.to_db(), max_millibel.to_db());
+                    max_millibel = ZERO_DB;
+                } else {
+                    warn!("Please manually set with `--volume-ctrl` if this is incorrect");
+                }
+            }
+            (min_millibel, max_millibel)
+        } else {
+            let (mut min_millibel, max_millibel) = simple_element.get_playback_db_range();
+
+            // Some controls report that their minimum volume is mute, instead
+            // of their actual lowest dB setting before that.
+            if min_millibel == SND_CTL_TLV_DB_GAIN_MUTE && min < max {
+                debug!("Alsa mixer reported minimum dB as mute, trying workaround");
+                min_millibel = simple_element
+                    .ask_playback_vol_db(min + 1)
+                    .expect("Could not convert Alsa raw volume to dB volume");
+            }
+            (min_millibel, max_millibel)
+        };
+
+        let min_db = min_millibel.to_db();
+        let max_db = max_millibel.to_db();
+        let db_range = f32::abs(max_db - min_db);
+
+        // Synchronize the volume control dB range with the mixer control,
+        // unless it was already set with a command line option.
+        if !config.volume_ctrl.range_ok() {
+            config.volume_ctrl.set_db_range(db_range);
+        }
+
+        // For hardware controls with a small range (24 dB or less),
+        // force using the dB API with a linear mapping.
+        let mut use_linear_in_db = false;
+        if !is_softvol && db_range <= 24.0 {
+            use_linear_in_db = true;
+            config.volume_ctrl = VolumeCtrl::Linear;
+        }
+
+        debug!("Alsa mixer control is softvol: {}", is_softvol);
+        debug!("Alsa support for playback (mute) switch: {}", has_switch);
+        debug!("Alsa raw volume range: [{}..{}] ({})", min, max, range);
+        debug!(
+            "Alsa dB volume range: [{:.2}..{:.2}] ({:.2})",
+            min_db, max_db, db_range
+        );
+        debug!("Alsa forcing linear dB mapping: {}", use_linear_in_db);
+
+        Self {
+            config,
+            min,
+            max,
+            range,
+            min_db,
+            max_db,
+            db_range,
+            has_switch,
+            is_softvol,
+            use_linear_in_db,
+        }
     }
 
-    fn start(&self) {}
-
-    fn stop(&self) {}
-
     fn volume(&self) -> u16 {
-        match self.map_volume(None) {
-            Ok(vol) => vol,
-            Err(e) => {
-                error!("Error getting volume for <{}>, {:?}", self.config.card, e);
-                0
-            }
+        let mixer =
+            alsa::mixer::Mixer::new(&self.config.card, false).expect("Could not open Alsa mixer");
+        let simple_element = mixer
+            .find_selem(&SelemId::new(&self.config.control, self.config.index))
+            .expect("Could not find Alsa mixer control");
+
+        if self.switched_off() {
+            return 0;
         }
+
+        let mut mapped_volume = if self.is_softvol {
+            let raw_volume = simple_element
+                .get_playback_volume(SelemChannelId::mono())
+                .expect("Could not get raw Alsa volume");
+
+            raw_volume as f32 / self.range as f32 - self.min as f32
+        } else {
+            let db_volume = simple_element
+                .get_playback_vol_db(SelemChannelId::mono())
+                .expect("Could not get Alsa dB volume")
+                .to_db();
+
+            if self.use_linear_in_db {
+                (db_volume - self.min_db) / self.db_range
+            } else if f32::abs(db_volume - SND_CTL_TLV_DB_GAIN_MUTE.to_db()) <= f32::EPSILON {
+                0.0
+            } else {
+                db_to_ratio(db_volume - self.max_db)
+            }
+        };
+
+        // see comment in `set_volume` why we are handling an antilog volume
+        if mapped_volume > 0.0 && self.is_some_linear() {
+            mapped_volume = LogMapping::linear_to_mapped(mapped_volume, self.db_range);
+        }
+
+        self.config.volume_ctrl.from_mapped(mapped_volume)
     }
 
     fn set_volume(&self, volume: u16) {
-        match self.map_volume(Some(volume)) {
-            Ok(_) => (),
-            Err(e) => error!("Error setting volume for <{}>, {:?}", self.config.card, e),
-        }
-    }
+        let mixer =
+            alsa::mixer::Mixer::new(&self.config.card, false).expect("Could not open Alsa mixer");
+        let simple_element = mixer
+            .find_selem(&SelemId::new(&self.config.control, self.config.index))
+            .expect("Could not find Alsa mixer control");
 
-    fn get_audio_filter(&self) -> Option<Box<dyn AudioFilter + Send>> {
-        None
+        if self.has_switch {
+            if volume == 0 {
+                debug!("Disabling playback (setting mute) on Alsa");
+                simple_element
+                    .set_playback_switch_all(0)
+                    .expect("Could not disable playback (set mute) on Alsa");
+            } else if self.switched_off() {
+                debug!("Enabling playback (unsetting mute) on Alsa");
+                simple_element
+                    .set_playback_switch_all(1)
+                    .expect("Could not enable playback (unset mute) on Alsa");
+            }
+        }
+
+        let mut mapped_volume = self.config.volume_ctrl.to_mapped(volume);
+
+        // Alsa's linear algorithms map everything onto log. Alsa softvol does
+        // this internally. In the case of `use_linear_in_db` this happens
+        // automatically by virtue of the dB scale. This means that linear
+        // controls become log, log becomes log-on-log, and so on. To make
+        // the controls work as expected, perform an antilog calculation to
+        // counteract what Alsa will be doing to the set volume.
+        if mapped_volume > 0.0 && self.is_some_linear() {
+            mapped_volume = LogMapping::mapped_to_linear(mapped_volume, self.db_range);
+        }
+
+        if self.is_softvol {
+            let scaled_volume = (self.min as f32 + mapped_volume * self.range as f32) as i64;
+            debug!("Setting Alsa raw volume to {}", scaled_volume);
+            simple_element
+                .set_playback_volume_all(scaled_volume)
+                .expect("Could not set Alsa raw volume");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        let db_volume = if self.use_linear_in_db {
+            self.min_db + mapped_volume * self.db_range
+        } else if volume == 0 {
+            // prevent ratio_to_db(0.0) from returning -inf
+            SND_CTL_TLV_DB_GAIN_MUTE.to_db()
+        } else {
+            ratio_to_db(mapped_volume) + self.max_db
+        };
+
+        debug!("Setting Alsa volume to {:.2} dB", db_volume);
+        simple_element
+            .set_playback_db_all(MilliBel::from_db(db_volume), Round::Floor)
+            .expect("Could not set Alsa dB volume");
+    }
+}
+
+impl AlsaMixer {
+    fn switched_off(&self) -> bool {
+        if !self.has_switch {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        let mixer =
+            alsa::mixer::Mixer::new(&self.config.card, false).expect("Could not open Alsa mixer");
+        let simple_element = mixer
+            .find_selem(&SelemId::new(&self.config.control, self.config.index))
+            .expect("Could not find Alsa mixer control");
+
+        simple_element
+            .get_playback_switch(SelemChannelId::mono())
+            .map(|playback| playback == 0)
+            .unwrap_or(false)
+    }
+
+    fn is_some_linear(&self) -> bool {
+        self.is_softvol || self.use_linear_in_db
     }
 }
diff --git a/playback/src/mixer/mappings.rs b/playback/src/mixer/mappings.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6a274442
--- /dev/null
+++ b/playback/src/mixer/mappings.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+use super::VolumeCtrl;
+use crate::player::db_to_ratio;
+
+pub trait MappedCtrl {
+    fn to_mapped(&self, volume: u16) -> f32;
+    fn from_mapped(&self, mapped_volume: f32) -> u16;
+
+    fn db_range(&self) -> f32;
+    fn set_db_range(&mut self, new_db_range: f32);
+    fn range_ok(&self) -> bool;
+}
+
+impl MappedCtrl for VolumeCtrl {
+    fn to_mapped(&self, volume: u16) -> f32 {
+        // More than just an optimization, this ensures that zero volume is
+        // really mute (both the log and cubic equations would otherwise not
+        // reach zero).
+        if volume == 0 {
+            return 0.0;
+        } else if volume == 1 {
+            // And limit in case of rounding errors (as is the case for log).
+            return 1.0;
+        }
+
+        let normalized_volume = volume as f32 / Self::MAX_VOLUME as f32;
+        let mapped_volume = if self.range_ok() {
+            match *self {
+                Self::Cubic(db_range) => {
+                    CubicMapping::linear_to_mapped(normalized_volume, db_range)
+                }
+                Self::Log(db_range) => LogMapping::linear_to_mapped(normalized_volume, db_range),
+                _ => normalized_volume,
+            }
+        } else {
+            // Ensure not to return -inf or NaN due to division by zero.
+            error!(
+                "{:?} does not work with 0 dB range, using linear mapping instead",
+                self
+            );
+            normalized_volume
+        };
+
+        debug!(
+            "Input volume {} mapped to: {:.2}%",
+            volume,
+            mapped_volume * 100.0
+        );
+
+        mapped_volume
+    }
+
+    fn from_mapped(&self, mapped_volume: f32) -> u16 {
+        // More than just an optimization, this ensures that zero mapped volume
+        // is unmapped to non-negative real numbers (otherwise the log and cubic
+        // equations would respectively return -inf and -1/9.)
+        if f32::abs(mapped_volume - 0.0) <= f32::EPSILON {
+            return 0;
+        } else if f32::abs(mapped_volume - 1.0) <= f32::EPSILON {
+            return Self::MAX_VOLUME;
+        }
+
+        let unmapped_volume = if self.range_ok() {
+            match *self {
+                Self::Cubic(db_range) => CubicMapping::mapped_to_linear(mapped_volume, db_range),
+                Self::Log(db_range) => LogMapping::mapped_to_linear(mapped_volume, db_range),
+                _ => mapped_volume,
+            }
+        } else {
+            // Ensure not to return -inf or NaN due to division by zero.
+            error!(
+                "{:?} does not work with 0 dB range, using linear mapping instead",
+                self
+            );
+            mapped_volume
+        };
+
+        (unmapped_volume * Self::MAX_VOLUME as f32) as u16
+    }
+
+    fn db_range(&self) -> f32 {
+        match *self {
+            Self::Fixed => 0.0,
+            Self::Linear => Self::DEFAULT_DB_RANGE, // arbitrary, could be anything > 0
+            Self::Log(db_range) | Self::Cubic(db_range) => db_range,
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn set_db_range(&mut self, new_db_range: f32) {
+        match self {
+            Self::Cubic(ref mut db_range) | Self::Log(ref mut db_range) => *db_range = new_db_range,
+            _ => error!("Invalid to set dB range for volume control type {:?}", self),
+        }
+
+        debug!("Volume control is now {:?}", self)
+    }
+
+    fn range_ok(&self) -> bool {
+        self.db_range() > 0.0 || matches!(self, Self::Fixed | Self::Linear)
+    }
+}
+
+pub trait VolumeMapping {
+    fn linear_to_mapped(unmapped_volume: f32, db_range: f32) -> f32;
+    fn mapped_to_linear(mapped_volume: f32, db_range: f32) -> f32;
+}
+
+// Volume conversion taken from: https://www.dr-lex.be/info-stuff/volumecontrols.html#ideal2
+//
+// As the human auditory system has a logarithmic sensitivity curve, this
+// mapping results in a near linear loudness experience with the listener.
+pub struct LogMapping {}
+impl VolumeMapping for LogMapping {
+    fn linear_to_mapped(normalized_volume: f32, db_range: f32) -> f32 {
+        let (db_ratio, ideal_factor) = Self::coefficients(db_range);
+        f32::exp(ideal_factor * normalized_volume) / db_ratio
+    }
+
+    fn mapped_to_linear(mapped_volume: f32, db_range: f32) -> f32 {
+        let (db_ratio, ideal_factor) = Self::coefficients(db_range);
+        f32::ln(db_ratio * mapped_volume) / ideal_factor
+    }
+}
+
+impl LogMapping {
+    fn coefficients(db_range: f32) -> (f32, f32) {
+        let db_ratio = db_to_ratio(db_range);
+        let ideal_factor = f32::ln(db_ratio);
+        (db_ratio, ideal_factor)
+    }
+}
+
+// Ported from: https://github.com/alsa-project/alsa-utils/blob/master/alsamixer/volume_mapping.c
+// which in turn was inspired by: https://www.robotplanet.dk/audio/audio_gui_design/
+//
+// Though this mapping is computationally less expensive than the logarithmic
+// mapping, it really does not matter as librespot memoizes the mapped value.
+// Use this mapping if you have some reason to mimic Alsa's native mixer or
+// prefer a more granular control in the upper volume range.
+//
+// Note: https://www.dr-lex.be/info-stuff/volumecontrols.html#ideal3 shows
+// better approximations to the logarithmic curve but because we only intend
+// to mimic Alsa here, we do not implement them. If your desire is to use a
+// logarithmic mapping, then use that volume control.
+pub struct CubicMapping {}
+impl VolumeMapping for CubicMapping {
+    fn linear_to_mapped(normalized_volume: f32, db_range: f32) -> f32 {
+        let min_norm = Self::min_norm(db_range);
+        f32::powi(normalized_volume * (1.0 - min_norm) + min_norm, 3)
+    }
+
+    fn mapped_to_linear(mapped_volume: f32, db_range: f32) -> f32 {
+        let min_norm = Self::min_norm(db_range);
+        (mapped_volume.powf(1.0 / 3.0) - min_norm) / (1.0 - min_norm)
+    }
+}
+
+impl CubicMapping {
+    fn min_norm(db_range: f32) -> f32 {
+        // Note that this 60.0 is unrelated to DEFAULT_DB_RANGE.
+        // Instead, it's the cubic voltage to dB ratio.
+        f32::powf(10.0, -1.0 * db_range / 60.0)
+    }
+}
diff --git a/playback/src/mixer/mod.rs b/playback/src/mixer/mod.rs
index af41c6f4..3c3bed2e 100644
--- a/playback/src/mixer/mod.rs
+++ b/playback/src/mixer/mod.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,16 @@
+use crate::config::VolumeCtrl;
+
+pub mod mappings;
+use self::mappings::MappedCtrl;
+
 pub trait Mixer: Send {
-    fn open(_: Option<MixerConfig>) -> Self
+    fn open(config: MixerConfig) -> Self
     where
         Self: Sized;
-    fn start(&self);
-    fn stop(&self);
+
     fn set_volume(&self, volume: u16);
     fn volume(&self) -> u16;
+
     fn get_audio_filter(&self) -> Option<Box<dyn AudioFilter + Send>> {
         None
     }
@@ -15,6 +20,9 @@ pub trait AudioFilter {
     fn modify_stream(&self, data: &mut [f32]);
 }
 
+pub mod softmixer;
+use self::softmixer::SoftMixer;
+
 #[cfg(feature = "alsa-backend")]
 pub mod alsamixer;
 #[cfg(feature = "alsa-backend")]
@@ -23,29 +31,26 @@ use self::alsamixer::AlsaMixer;
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 pub struct MixerConfig {
     pub card: String,
-    pub mixer: String,
+    pub control: String,
     pub index: u32,
-    pub mapped_volume: bool,
+    pub volume_ctrl: VolumeCtrl,
 }
 
 impl Default for MixerConfig {
     fn default() -> MixerConfig {
         MixerConfig {
             card: String::from("default"),
-            mixer: String::from("PCM"),
+            control: String::from("PCM"),
             index: 0,
-            mapped_volume: true,
+            volume_ctrl: VolumeCtrl::default(),
         }
     }
 }
 
-pub mod softmixer;
-use self::softmixer::SoftMixer;
+pub type MixerFn = fn(MixerConfig) -> Box<dyn Mixer>;
 
-type MixerFn = fn(Option<MixerConfig>) -> Box<dyn Mixer>;
-
-fn mk_sink<M: Mixer + 'static>(device: Option<MixerConfig>) -> Box<dyn Mixer> {
-    Box::new(M::open(device))
+fn mk_sink<M: Mixer + 'static>(config: MixerConfig) -> Box<dyn Mixer> {
+    Box::new(M::open(config))
 }
 
 pub fn find<T: AsRef<str>>(name: Option<T>) -> Option<MixerFn> {
diff --git a/playback/src/mixer/softmixer.rs b/playback/src/mixer/softmixer.rs
index ec8ed6b2..0be161ad 100644
--- a/playback/src/mixer/softmixer.rs
+++ b/playback/src/mixer/softmixer.rs
@@ -1,28 +1,40 @@
-use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicUsize, Ordering};
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU32, Ordering};
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
 use super::AudioFilter;
+use super::{MappedCtrl, VolumeCtrl};
 use super::{Mixer, MixerConfig};
 
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct SoftMixer {
-    volume: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+    // There is no AtomicF32, so we store the f32 as bits in a u32 field.
+    // It's much faster than a Mutex<f32>.
+    volume: Arc<AtomicU32>,
+    volume_ctrl: VolumeCtrl,
 }
 
 impl Mixer for SoftMixer {
-    fn open(_: Option<MixerConfig>) -> SoftMixer {
-        SoftMixer {
-            volume: Arc::new(AtomicUsize::new(0xFFFF)),
+    fn open(config: MixerConfig) -> Self {
+        let volume_ctrl = config.volume_ctrl;
+        info!("Mixing with softvol and volume control: {:?}", volume_ctrl);
+
+        Self {
+            volume: Arc::new(AtomicU32::new(f32::to_bits(0.5))),
+            volume_ctrl,
         }
     }
-    fn start(&self) {}
-    fn stop(&self) {}
+
     fn volume(&self) -> u16 {
-        self.volume.load(Ordering::Relaxed) as u16
+        let mapped_volume = f32::from_bits(self.volume.load(Ordering::Relaxed));
+        self.volume_ctrl.from_mapped(mapped_volume)
     }
+
     fn set_volume(&self, volume: u16) {
-        self.volume.store(volume as usize, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        let mapped_volume = self.volume_ctrl.to_mapped(volume);
+        self.volume
+            .store(mapped_volume.to_bits(), Ordering::Relaxed)
     }
+
     fn get_audio_filter(&self) -> Option<Box<dyn AudioFilter + Send>> {
         Some(Box::new(SoftVolumeApplier {
             volume: self.volume.clone(),
@@ -31,16 +43,15 @@ impl Mixer for SoftMixer {
 }
 
 struct SoftVolumeApplier {
-    volume: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+    volume: Arc<AtomicU32>,
 }
 
 impl AudioFilter for SoftVolumeApplier {
     fn modify_stream(&self, data: &mut [f32]) {
-        let volume = self.volume.load(Ordering::Relaxed) as u16;
-        if volume != 0xFFFF {
-            let volume_factor = volume as f64 / 0xFFFF as f64;
+        let volume = f32::from_bits(self.volume.load(Ordering::Relaxed));
+        if volume < 1.0 {
             for x in data.iter_mut() {
-                *x = (*x as f64 * volume_factor) as f32;
+                *x = (*x as f64 * volume as f64) as f32;
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/playback/src/player.rs b/playback/src/player.rs
index 8cbb4372..659804f8 100644
--- a/playback/src/player.rs
+++ b/playback/src/player.rs
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ pub const NUM_CHANNELS: u8 = 2;
 pub const SAMPLES_PER_SECOND: u32 = SAMPLE_RATE as u32 * NUM_CHANNELS as u32;
 
 const PRELOAD_NEXT_TRACK_BEFORE_END_DURATION_MS: u32 = 30000;
-const DB_VOLTAGE_RATIO: f32 = 20.0;
+pub const DB_VOLTAGE_RATIO: f32 = 20.0;
 
 pub struct Player {
     commands: Option<mpsc::UnboundedSender<PlayerCommand>>,
@@ -196,6 +196,14 @@ impl PlayerEvent {
 
 pub type PlayerEventChannel = mpsc::UnboundedReceiver<PlayerEvent>;
 
+pub fn db_to_ratio(db: f32) -> f32 {
+    f32::powf(10.0, db / DB_VOLTAGE_RATIO)
+}
+
+pub fn ratio_to_db(ratio: f32) -> f32 {
+    ratio.log10() * DB_VOLTAGE_RATIO
+}
+
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug)]
 pub struct NormalisationData {
     track_gain_db: f32,
@@ -205,14 +213,6 @@ pub struct NormalisationData {
 }
 
 impl NormalisationData {
-    pub fn db_to_ratio(db: f32) -> f32 {
-        f32::powf(10.0, db / DB_VOLTAGE_RATIO)
-    }
-
-    pub fn ratio_to_db(ratio: f32) -> f32 {
-        ratio.log10() * DB_VOLTAGE_RATIO
-    }
-
     fn parse_from_file<T: Read + Seek>(mut file: T) -> io::Result<NormalisationData> {
         const SPOTIFY_NORMALIZATION_HEADER_START_OFFSET: u64 = 144;
         file.seek(SeekFrom::Start(SPOTIFY_NORMALIZATION_HEADER_START_OFFSET))?;
@@ -243,11 +243,11 @@ impl NormalisationData {
         };
 
         let normalisation_power = gain_db + config.normalisation_pregain;
-        let mut normalisation_factor = Self::db_to_ratio(normalisation_power);
+        let mut normalisation_factor = db_to_ratio(normalisation_power);
 
         if normalisation_factor * gain_peak > config.normalisation_threshold {
             let limited_normalisation_factor = config.normalisation_threshold / gain_peak;
-            let limited_normalisation_power = Self::ratio_to_db(limited_normalisation_factor);
+            let limited_normalisation_power = ratio_to_db(limited_normalisation_factor);
 
             if config.normalisation_method == NormalisationMethod::Basic {
                 warn!("Limiting gain to {:.2} dB for the duration of this track to stay under normalisation threshold.", limited_normalisation_power);
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ impl NormalisationData {
         debug!("Normalisation Type: {:?}", config.normalisation_type);
         debug!(
             "Normalisation Threshold: {:.1}",
-            Self::ratio_to_db(config.normalisation_threshold)
+            ratio_to_db(config.normalisation_threshold)
         );
         debug!("Normalisation Method: {:?}", config.normalisation_method);
         debug!("Normalisation Factor: {}", normalisation_factor);
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index a5106af2..6f41db9f 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -9,15 +9,16 @@ use url::Url;
 use librespot::connect::spirc::Spirc;
 use librespot::core::authentication::Credentials;
 use librespot::core::cache::Cache;
-use librespot::core::config::{ConnectConfig, DeviceType, SessionConfig, VolumeCtrl};
+use librespot::core::config::{ConnectConfig, DeviceType, SessionConfig};
 use librespot::core::session::Session;
 use librespot::core::version;
-use librespot::playback::audio_backend::{self, Sink, BACKENDS};
+use librespot::playback::audio_backend::{self, SinkBuilder, BACKENDS};
 use librespot::playback::config::{
-    AudioFormat, Bitrate, NormalisationMethod, NormalisationType, PlayerConfig,
+    AudioFormat, Bitrate, NormalisationMethod, NormalisationType, PlayerConfig, VolumeCtrl,
 };
-use librespot::playback::mixer::{self, Mixer, MixerConfig};
-use librespot::playback::player::{NormalisationData, Player};
+use librespot::playback::mixer::mappings::MappedCtrl;
+use librespot::playback::mixer::{self, MixerConfig, MixerFn};
+use librespot::playback::player::{db_to_ratio, Player};
 
 mod player_event_handler;
 use player_event_handler::{emit_sink_event, run_program_on_events};
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ fn setup_logging(verbose: bool) {
 }
 
 fn list_backends() {
-    println!("Available Backends : ");
+    println!("Available backends : ");
     for (&(name, _), idx) in BACKENDS.iter().zip(0..) {
         if idx == 0 {
             println!("- {} (default)", name);
@@ -172,11 +173,9 @@ fn print_version() {
 #[derive(Clone)]
 struct Setup {
     format: AudioFormat,
-    backend: fn(Option<String>, AudioFormat) -> Box<dyn Sink + 'static>,
+    backend: SinkBuilder,
     device: Option<String>,
-
-    mixer: fn(Option<MixerConfig>) -> Box<dyn Mixer>,
-
+    mixer: MixerFn,
     cache: Option<Cache>,
     player_config: PlayerConfig,
     session_config: SessionConfig,
@@ -266,11 +265,6 @@ fn get_setup(args: &[String]) -> Setup {
             "Alsa mixer index, Index of the cards mixer. Defaults to 0",
             "MIXER_INDEX",
         )
-        .optflag(
-            "",
-            "mixer-linear-volume",
-            "Disable alsa's mapped volume scale (cubic). Default false",
-        )
         .optopt(
             "",
             "initial-volume",
@@ -333,8 +327,14 @@ fn get_setup(args: &[String]) -> Setup {
         .optopt(
             "",
             "volume-ctrl",
-            "Volume control type - [linear, log, fixed]. Default is logarithmic",
+            "Volume control type - [cubic, fixed, linear, log]. Default is log.",
             "VOLUME_CTRL"
+        )
+		.optopt(
+ 			"",
+ 			"volume-range",
+ 			"Range of the volume control (dB). Defaults to 60 for softvol and for alsa what the mixer supports.",
+             "RANGE",
         )
         .optflag(
             "",
@@ -399,18 +399,55 @@ fn get_setup(args: &[String]) -> Setup {
     let mixer_name = matches.opt_str("mixer");
     let mixer = mixer::find(mixer_name.as_ref()).expect("Invalid mixer");
 
-    let mixer_config = MixerConfig {
-        card: matches
-            .opt_str("mixer-card")
-            .unwrap_or_else(|| String::from("default")),
-        mixer: matches
-            .opt_str("mixer-name")
-            .unwrap_or_else(|| String::from("PCM")),
-        index: matches
+    let mixer_config = {
+        let card = matches.opt_str("mixer-card").unwrap_or_else(|| {
+            if let Some(ref device_name) = device {
+                device_name.to_string()
+            } else {
+                String::from("default")
+            }
+        });
+        let index = matches
             .opt_str("mixer-index")
             .map(|index| index.parse::<u32>().unwrap())
-            .unwrap_or(0),
-        mapped_volume: !matches.opt_present("mixer-linear-volume"),
+            .unwrap_or(0);
+        let control = matches
+            .opt_str("mixer-name")
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| String::from("PCM"));
+        let mut volume_range = matches
+            .opt_str("volume-range")
+            .map(|range| range.parse::<f32>().unwrap())
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| match mixer_name.as_ref().map(AsRef::as_ref) {
+                Some("alsa") => 0.0, // let Alsa query the control
+                _ => VolumeCtrl::DEFAULT_DB_RANGE,
+            });
+        if volume_range < 0.0 {
+            // User might have specified range as minimum dB volume.
+            volume_range *= -1.0;
+            warn!(
+                "Please enter positive volume ranges only, assuming {:.2} dB",
+                volume_range
+            );
+        }
+        let volume_ctrl = matches
+            .opt_str("volume-ctrl")
+            .as_ref()
+            .map(|volume_ctrl| {
+                VolumeCtrl::from_str_with_range(volume_ctrl, volume_range)
+                    .expect("Invalid volume control type")
+            })
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| {
+                let mut volume_ctrl = VolumeCtrl::default();
+                volume_ctrl.set_db_range(volume_range);
+                volume_ctrl
+            });
+
+        MixerConfig {
+            card,
+            control,
+            index,
+            volume_ctrl,
+        }
     };
 
     let cache = {
@@ -459,15 +496,18 @@ fn get_setup(args: &[String]) -> Setup {
 
     let initial_volume = matches
         .opt_str("initial-volume")
-        .map(|volume| {
-            let volume = volume.parse::<u16>().unwrap();
+        .map(|initial_volume| {
+            let volume = initial_volume.parse::<u16>().unwrap();
             if volume > 100 {
-                panic!("Initial volume must be in the range 0-100");
+                error!("Initial volume must be in the range 0-100.");
+                // the cast will saturate, not necessary to take further action
             }
-            (volume as i32 * 0xFFFF / 100) as u16
+            (volume as f32 / 100.0 * VolumeCtrl::MAX_VOLUME as f32) as u16
         })
-        .or_else(|| cache.as_ref().and_then(Cache::volume))
-        .unwrap_or(0x8000);
+        .or_else(|| match mixer_name.as_ref().map(AsRef::as_ref) {
+            Some("alsa") => None,
+            _ => cache.as_ref().and_then(Cache::volume),
+        });
 
     let zeroconf_port = matches
         .opt_str("zeroconf-port")
@@ -506,15 +546,15 @@ fn get_setup(args: &[String]) -> Setup {
                     match Url::parse(&s) {
                         Ok(url) => {
                             if url.host().is_none() || url.port_or_known_default().is_none() {
-                                panic!("Invalid proxy url, only urls on the format \"http://host:port\" are allowed");
+                                panic!("Invalid proxy url, only URLs on the format \"http://host:port\" are allowed");
                             }
 
                             if url.scheme() != "http" {
-                                panic!("Only unsecure http:// proxies are supported");
+                                panic!("Only insecure http:// proxies are supported");
                             }
                             url
                         },
-                    Err(err) => panic!("Invalid proxy url: {}, only urls on the format \"http://host:port\" are allowed", err)
+                    Err(err) => panic!("Invalid proxy URL: {}, only URLs in the format \"http://host:port\" are allowed", err)
                     }
                 },
             ),
@@ -524,21 +564,14 @@ fn get_setup(args: &[String]) -> Setup {
         }
     };
 
-    let passthrough = matches.opt_present("passthrough");
-
     let player_config = {
         let bitrate = matches
             .opt_str("b")
             .as_ref()
             .map(|bitrate| Bitrate::from_str(bitrate).expect("Invalid bitrate"))
             .unwrap_or_default();
-        let gain_type = matches
-            .opt_str("normalisation-gain-type")
-            .as_ref()
-            .map(|gain_type| {
-                NormalisationType::from_str(gain_type).expect("Invalid normalisation type")
-            })
-            .unwrap_or_default();
+        let gapless = !matches.opt_present("disable-gapless");
+        let normalisation = matches.opt_present("enable-volume-normalisation");
         let normalisation_method = matches
             .opt_str("normalisation-method")
             .as_ref()
@@ -546,41 +579,52 @@ fn get_setup(args: &[String]) -> Setup {
                 NormalisationMethod::from_str(gain_type).expect("Invalid normalisation method")
             })
             .unwrap_or_default();
+        let normalisation_type = matches
+            .opt_str("normalisation-gain-type")
+            .as_ref()
+            .map(|gain_type| {
+                NormalisationType::from_str(gain_type).expect("Invalid normalisation type")
+            })
+            .unwrap_or_default();
+        let normalisation_pregain = matches
+            .opt_str("normalisation-pregain")
+            .map(|pregain| pregain.parse::<f32>().expect("Invalid pregain float value"))
+            .unwrap_or(PlayerConfig::default().normalisation_pregain);
+        let normalisation_threshold = matches
+            .opt_str("normalisation-threshold")
+            .map(|threshold| {
+                db_to_ratio(
+                    threshold
+                        .parse::<f32>()
+                        .expect("Invalid threshold float value"),
+                )
+            })
+            .unwrap_or(PlayerConfig::default().normalisation_threshold);
+        let normalisation_attack = matches
+            .opt_str("normalisation-attack")
+            .map(|attack| attack.parse::<f32>().expect("Invalid attack float value") / MILLIS)
+            .unwrap_or(PlayerConfig::default().normalisation_attack);
+        let normalisation_release = matches
+            .opt_str("normalisation-release")
+            .map(|release| release.parse::<f32>().expect("Invalid release float value") / MILLIS)
+            .unwrap_or(PlayerConfig::default().normalisation_release);
+        let normalisation_knee = matches
+            .opt_str("normalisation-knee")
+            .map(|knee| knee.parse::<f32>().expect("Invalid knee float value"))
+            .unwrap_or(PlayerConfig::default().normalisation_knee);
+        let passthrough = matches.opt_present("passthrough");
 
         PlayerConfig {
             bitrate,
-            gapless: !matches.opt_present("disable-gapless"),
-            normalisation: matches.opt_present("enable-volume-normalisation"),
+            gapless,
+            normalisation,
+            normalisation_type,
             normalisation_method,
-            normalisation_type: gain_type,
-            normalisation_pregain: matches
-                .opt_str("normalisation-pregain")
-                .map(|pregain| pregain.parse::<f32>().expect("Invalid pregain float value"))
-                .unwrap_or(PlayerConfig::default().normalisation_pregain),
-            normalisation_threshold: matches
-                .opt_str("normalisation-threshold")
-                .map(|threshold| {
-                    NormalisationData::db_to_ratio(
-                        threshold
-                            .parse::<f32>()
-                            .expect("Invalid threshold float value"),
-                    )
-                })
-                .unwrap_or(PlayerConfig::default().normalisation_threshold),
-            normalisation_attack: matches
-                .opt_str("normalisation-attack")
-                .map(|attack| attack.parse::<f32>().expect("Invalid attack float value") / MILLIS)
-                .unwrap_or(PlayerConfig::default().normalisation_attack),
-            normalisation_release: matches
-                .opt_str("normalisation-release")
-                .map(|release| {
-                    release.parse::<f32>().expect("Invalid release float value") / MILLIS
-                })
-                .unwrap_or(PlayerConfig::default().normalisation_release),
-            normalisation_knee: matches
-                .opt_str("normalisation-knee")
-                .map(|knee| knee.parse::<f32>().expect("Invalid knee float value"))
-                .unwrap_or(PlayerConfig::default().normalisation_knee),
+            normalisation_pregain,
+            normalisation_threshold,
+            normalisation_attack,
+            normalisation_release,
+            normalisation_knee,
             passthrough,
         }
     };
@@ -591,39 +635,37 @@ fn get_setup(args: &[String]) -> Setup {
             .as_ref()
             .map(|device_type| DeviceType::from_str(device_type).expect("Invalid device type"))
             .unwrap_or_default();
-
-        let volume_ctrl = matches
-            .opt_str("volume-ctrl")
-            .as_ref()
-            .map(|volume_ctrl| VolumeCtrl::from_str(volume_ctrl).expect("Invalid volume ctrl type"))
-            .unwrap_or_default();
+        let has_volume_ctrl = !matches!(mixer_config.volume_ctrl, VolumeCtrl::Fixed);
+        let autoplay = matches.opt_present("autoplay");
 
         ConnectConfig {
             name,
             device_type,
-            volume: initial_volume,
-            volume_ctrl,
-            autoplay: matches.opt_present("autoplay"),
+            initial_volume,
+            has_volume_ctrl,
+            autoplay,
         }
     };
 
     let enable_discovery = !matches.opt_present("disable-discovery");
+    let player_event_program = matches.opt_str("onevent");
+    let emit_sink_events = matches.opt_present("emit-sink-events");
 
     Setup {
         format,
         backend,
-        cache,
-        session_config,
-        player_config,
-        connect_config,
-        credentials,
         device,
+        mixer,
+        cache,
+        player_config,
+        session_config,
+        connect_config,
+        mixer_config,
+        credentials,
         enable_discovery,
         zeroconf_port,
-        mixer,
-        mixer_config,
-        player_event_program: matches.opt_str("onevent"),
-        emit_sink_events: matches.opt_present("emit-sink-events"),
+        player_event_program,
+        emit_sink_events,
     }
 }
 
@@ -697,7 +739,7 @@ async fn main() {
             session = &mut connecting, if !connecting.is_terminated() => match session {
                 Ok(session) => {
                     let mixer_config = setup.mixer_config.clone();
-                    let mixer = (setup.mixer)(Some(mixer_config));
+                    let mixer = (setup.mixer)(mixer_config);
                     let player_config = setup.player_config.clone();
                     let connect_config = setup.connect_config.clone();