Rule 0 of using a phone is it's ok to make a sound or it's not ok to make a sound. (notification alerts need to be separate from ringer but someone already asked that question) Notification alerts can be capped at the master volume level.
I've tried volume control apps, I think I may have to flash a custom rom and edit source code, so I am a bit sad.
There should be a way to override the master volume, say for an alarm or a special alert type. but that needs to be very intentionally set, by default all volumes need to be capped by the volume rocker.
It would be great if there were relative volumes (I never want my ringer louder than X, but media can go higher)
The problem with is android 8 and 9 is I have loud phone events and miss calls.
There appears to be some difficulty in communicating the seriousness of this problem. I had the ringer on for an important phone call, when it came, it was so much louder than the media that was playing it hurt. Also, I've missed phone calls when using the phone to play media. Unless I am presenting, it is expected that the phone will ring at a similar volume to the media, but it appears to be on or off.
If I have my phone in my pocket, I'd like to have the volume really high for the ringer, I am happy to be in control of the volume of the phone if it is easy... like in android 4.4
It is also essential that the volume rocker can be used without interacting with the screen. Only tactile controls are acceptable. (made that be an artificially separated question because someone objected)