linux can, depending on factors, change the volume for just one program - that might solve the problem?

In DOSBox:
mixer master 10:10
or some other values that result in acceptable sound volume. Then make a batch script to execute that command and start the game so you don't have to write it every time.

I don't know how to set volume on a per-program basis in Xfce, but I know where to ask. As far as using mixer, I already have an [autoexec] section in the .conf file that sets everything up and runs the program, provided that it's a Dosbox command. And, I run that from a shell script, so I can put it in their if needed.

sideburns wrote:

I don't know how to set volume on a per-program basis in Xfce, but I know where to ask. As far as using mixer, I already have an [autoexec] section in the .conf file that sets everything up and runs the program, provided that it's a Dosbox command. And, I run that from a shell script, so I can put it in their if needed.

If you're using Pulseaudio (all modern distros use it by default), you can use 'pavucontrol' which can control volume per-program. Check if DOSBOX can be set to output audio by Pulseaudio.

I think something like mentioned in 2nd answer might help to redirect SDL to Pulseaudio: http://askubuntu.com/questions/79944/dosbox-has-no-sound

Thank you, but as it turns out, using mixer to set the volume to 30:30 was Just Right.