[nmeofthestate]

I would disable any auto-playing audio technology on my Android phone; accessing the media volume control is such a huge pain in the arse - multiple taps and drags to rummage into the Settings and get to it.

NB: the hardware controls only set the ringtone volume, unless you're too late and the phone is already playing media†.

†hopefully - sometimes the hardware volume buttons still don't control media volume even when media is playing.

(You can get widgets to control the various volumes, but I've not found one I really liked).

[sp332]

When you click the volume control, it brings up your ringer volume. At the right-hand side of the volume control is a settings button. That button will bring up all your volumes in a little floating bubble, so you can always change any volume in one click + 2 taps, and no "rummaging".

[nmeofthestate]

Hmm... I see no sign of this button on Android 4.4.2.

[sp332]

Huh, maybe it's a side-effect of some mod I'm running. Didn't expect that.