# System Bell

The system bell or beep is a feature of the X server, which attempts to make good use of the available hardware.

&kde; normally does not use the system bell; instead using its own system notifications, which could include log entries, message popups, or its own beep. You can configure these in the Manage Notifications &systemsettings; module.

It is not always possible for the X server to actually make a beep sound with exactly the parameters selected due to hardware limitations. For example, on most PCs, volume control is not very good so the X server seems to fake low volume with a reduced duration of the sound. Thus, if the settings do not seem to do anything, this is because the X server and/or the hardware do not support anything better.

Select Use system bell instead of system notification then you are able to set the following parameters for the bell:

Volume (percentage of maximum volume)

- Here you can customize the volume of the system bell.

Pitch (in Hz)

- Here you can customize the pitch of the system bell.

Duration (in milliseconds)

- Here you can customize the duration of the system bell.

For further customization of the bell, see the Accessibility &systemsettings; module.

You can use the Test button to hear how the current settings will sound.