diff --git a/.i3/config b/.i3/config
index ee19976..e00be22 100755
--- a/.i3/config
+++ b/.i3/config
@@ -49,10 +49,16 @@ bindsym Control+space exec --no-startup-id i3-dmenu-desktop
 # installed.
 # bindsym $mod+d exec --no-startup-id i3-dmenu-desktop
 
-## Volume
-bindsym XF86AudioRaiseVolume exec amixer -q set Master 2dB+ unmute
-bindsym XF86AudioLowerVolume exec amixer -q set Master 2dB- unmute
-bindsym XF86AudioMute exec amixer -q set Master toggle
+# Pulse Audio controls
+## requires alsa-utils pulseaudio
+bindsym XF86AudioRaiseVolume exec --no-startup-id pactl -- set-sink-volume 0 +5% #increase sound volume
+bindsym XF86AudioLowerVolume exec --no-startup-id pactl -- set-sink-volume 0 -5% #decrease sound volume
+bindsym XF86AudioMute exec --no-startup-id pactl set-sink-mute 0 toggle # mute sound
+
+# Sreen brightness controls
+## requires xbacklight
+bindsym XF86MonBrightnessUp exec xbacklight -inc 20 # increase screen brightness
+bindsym XF86MonBrightnessDown exec xbacklight -dec 20 # decrease screen brightness
 
 # change focus
 bindsym $mod+h focus left
diff --git a/.i3/i3status.conf b/.i3/i3status.conf
index 8f4fdd4..99cc28c 100755
--- a/.i3/i3status.conf
+++ b/.i3/i3status.conf
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ general {
 }
 
 #order += "ipv6"
+order += "volume master"
 order += "disk /"
 #order += "run_watch DHCP"
 order += "run_watch VPN"
@@ -69,3 +70,10 @@ load {
 disk "/" {
         format = "%avail"
 }
+
+volume master {
+        format = "♪: %volume"
+        format_muted = "♪: muted (%volume)"
+        device = "sysdefault"
+        mixer = "Master"
+}