Hi Mark and Steven,

I am using Composer 2.51 and have the same problem of WMP lowering the mini synth volume. How much it lowers it depends on the volume at which I set WMP. If I set it in the middle, I find play control set at half volume for midi synth. I have solved the problem my using the KMPlayer, a free multi-media player, with lots of bells and a few whistles. For some reason it produces better sound than WMP, too. I think because it has a better equalizer. The one problem I've found with it is that it's not easy to get into options and preferences. But since it doesn't change the system volume, it tends to confirm that WMP is, indeed, a problem.

all best,
mgj