ahh!!

pi/asound.conf

@@ -1,25 +1,26 @@
 # Use the Google Voice HAT soundcard as the primary device by name (card id is "sndrpigooglevoi")
 options snd_rpi_googlevoicehat_soundcard index=0
 
-# Simple defaults: direct playback/capture on the voice HAT
+# Software playback volume (adjust with: amixer -c0 sset 'SoftMaster' 70%)
+pcm.softvol {
+    type softvol
+    slave.pcm "hw:0,0"
+    control {
+        name "SoftMaster"
+        card 0
+    }
+    min_dB -51.0
+    max_dB 0.0
+}
+
+# Defaults: playback through softvol, capture raw on the HAT
 pcm.!default {
     type asym
-    playback.pcm "plughw:0,0"
-    capture.pcm "plughw:0,0"
+    playback.pcm "softvol"
+    capture.pcm "hw:0,0"
 }
 
 ctl.!default {
     type hw
     card 0
 }
-
-# Stable capture device for ffmpeg/roverd: exposes the HAT at fixed format/rate.
-pcm.rovermic {
-    type plug
-    slave {
-        pcm "hw:0,0"
-        format S32_LE
-        rate 48000
-        channels 2
-    }
-}