diff --git a/osu.Game/OsuGameBase.cs b/osu.Game/OsuGameBase.cs
index 50639e3427..8eaa20f781 100644
--- a/osu.Game/OsuGameBase.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/OsuGameBase.cs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ using System;
 using System.Diagnostics;
 using System.Reflection;
 using osu.Framework.Allocation;
+using osu.Framework.Audio;
 using osu.Framework.Configuration;
 using osu.Framework.Development;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics;
@@ -137,6 +138,10 @@ namespace osu.Game
             Beatmap = new NonNullableBindable<WorkingBeatmap>(defaultBeatmap);
             BeatmapManager.DefaultBeatmap = defaultBeatmap;
 
+            // tracks play so loud our samples can't keep up.
+            // this adds a global reduction of track volume for the time being.
+            Audio.Track.AddAdjustment(AdjustableProperty.Volume, new BindableDouble(0.8));
+
             Beatmap.ValueChanged += b =>
             {
                 var trackLoaded = lastBeatmap?.TrackLoaded ?? false;