Multichannel sound card setup

Hey!
I am trying to, in some way, enable multichannel output from my sound cards as a part of the default audio output from my MacBook Pro.
The main goal is to use four of the total 10 outputs i have available.
At the moment i have this hardware:
Usb sound card: Native instruments Core 1. 2 outputs, 2 inputs
Usb sound card: DAC driver, 2 outputs. These are actually a pair of Argon speakers which do have a USB input.
FireWire: Infrasonic Deux 0448. 4 outputs, 2 inputs.
Speakers:
Pair of Yamaha HS-50
Argon Speakers(not sure of model, it really does not matter)
Both of the speaker do have analog inputs.
I have merged all of these sound cards in all different constellations but I am still not able to make my macbook output audio in 4 channels as default. My main idea is to make the speakers work like a pair of stereo speakers. So I have one Yamaha speaker on top of an Argon speaker and they both play the same sound. So what I am really looking for is, not to merge two sound cards but, to merge output channels.
For example i want to deliver the same "left pan" audio to the hardware output on the Deux soundcard, say channel 1 and 3 is the left ones and 2 and 4 are the right ones. The problem is this: I only get audio from 1,2 or 3,4 not all four at the same time.
The Sound/Midi settings does not allow me to use quadraphonic output as a tool of delivering sound to all of the speakers. I don't understand this, is the quadraphonic setup only for quadraphonic designed sound only? Cause what i really do need is two pairs of stereo outputs, software wise.
Does anyone know how I can overcome this problem?
Any answers that can help me with this are welcome!
My MacBook Specs:
MacbookPro late 2011
Processor 2,2 GHz Intel Core i7
Memory 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
OS X 10.9.5

OK, that link did help some. KDE isn't giving the error any more, but sound still isn't working, sort of.
I tried mpg321 and xmms on one of my mp3 files that I know works fine, both report that they are playing the file, but nothing comes out of the speakers. Yes, I've checked the volume on the speakers, they work fine in windows and redhat.
Info Center shows Sound Driver:3.8.1 a-980706 (ALSA v0.9 Orc3 emulation code)
My rc.local looks like:
modprobe snd-cs4236
modprobe snd-cs4236-lib
modprobe snd-pcm-oss
chown sasdav.users /dev/sound/*
And my modules.conf has:
alias sound-slot-0 snd-cs4236
alias eth0 3c59x
Obviously I'm missing something, any clue what it might be?

Similar Messages

Sound card setup

Thought you were done with me, didn't you. Actually, I'm feeling pretty good about how far I've gotten. Anyway, I'm trying to get my sound card working and I'm getting nowhere.
According to my kernel log it's detecting a CS4236B. I found some drivers that I think will work in /lib/modules/2.4.19/kernel/sound/isa/cs423x, snd-cs4236-lib.o and snd-cs4236.o
I load them with no problem using modprobe snd-cs4236, modprobe snd-cs4236
There is no error, and it's beeping now when I reboot so I THINK that was the right thing to do.
Anyway, when I bring up kde I'm getting an error:
Soundserver informational message:
Error while initializing the sound driver:
device /dev/dsp can't be opened (No such file or directory).
So I look in /dev and, sure enough, there's no dsp in there. So I guess my first question is, how to create /dev/dsp. I tried to create one by adding alias sound-slot-0 snd-cs4236
to modules.conf.
And modules.devfs has
alias /dev/sound sound-slot-0
alias /dev/dsp /dev/sound
among lots of other things.
I'm afraid that's about all I can figure out at this point. Can anyone help me?
Thanks

OK, that link did help some. KDE isn't giving the error any more, but sound still isn't working, sort of.
I tried mpg321 and xmms on one of my mp3 files that I know works fine, both report that they are playing the file, but nothing comes out of the speakers. Yes, I've checked the volume on the speakers, they work fine in windows and redhat.
Info Center shows Sound Driver:3.8.1 a-980706 (ALSA v0.9 Orc3 emulation code)
My rc.local looks like:
modprobe snd-cs4236
modprobe snd-cs4236-lib
modprobe snd-pcm-oss
chown sasdav.users /dev/sound/*
And my modules.conf has:
alias sound-slot-0 snd-cs4236
alias eth0 3c59x
Obviously I'm missing something, any clue what it might be?

[SOLVED] USB sound card problems and audio setup

I want to clarify and correctly set up my ThinkPad T61 sound system finally.
I'm running Arch64 + KDE.
There are two sound cards - the internal HDA Intel and external USB CM118.
aplay -l
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: Set [C-Media USB Headphone Set], device 0: USB Audio [USB Audio]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: AD198x Analog [AD198x Analog]
Subdevices: 0/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: Intel [HDA Intel], device 1: AD198x Digital [AD198x Digital]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
First of all, why are there both analog and digital subdevices?
I just need playback and/or recording support for these applications: opera, firefox, skype, clementine, mplayer, vmplayer. As high quality as possible.
Per-application sound control would be nice but if that adds too much clutter, I could live without it. No need for audio streaming or any other luxuries.
All the applications should use the USB card whenever it's plugged in. The internal SC should take over when CM118 is unplugged.
The problem is that most of the time it doesn't work. For example, if I plug out the USB card and then run some application like Clementine or Firefox there would be no sound ("connection refused" in Clementine).
Here is my asound.conf:
defaults.pcm.card 0
defaults.pcm.device 0
defaults.ctl.card 0
Also kMix/amix should switch the master channel from HDA Intel Master to C-Media Master automatically. The only way to do this is to write some kind of script, right?
AFAIK the following audio components are installed: ALSA, OSS (for some unknown reason), Phonon, Gstreamer.
I guess I can uninstall OSS without worries as no one seems to need it (checked with "whoneeds").
What about that Phonon? Would it override the asoud.conf if I set default device there? Why there are so many different devices in the Phonon configuration list:
C-Media USB Headphone Set, USB Audio (Default Audio Device)
C-Media USB Headphone Set (USB Audio)
C-Media USB Headphone Set, USB Audio (IECblablabla)
hw:1,0
hw:1,1
default
Intel Analog
Intel Digital
blablalba
And that C-Media triplet for every USB port the CM118 has been plugged in.
Too much confusion! All that mess for just two different cards.
So what is the proper way of setting primary and secondary sound cards in this situation?
Thank you!
Last edited by andrisll (2012-07-19 08:48:28)

I am sorry for my very late response and the lack of structure in my post.
I did some investigation and found a rather acceptable workaround for one of my problems described below.
Here is the basic functionality I need:
1. Automatic (on the fly) switching to the external sound card when it's plugged in and automatic fallback to the integrated SC when usb is unplugged.
2. Automatic (on the fly) switching of the kMix's master channel according to the changes mentioned above.
As for the first problem, I found this udev rule:
KERNEL=="pcmC[D0-9cp]*", ACTION=="add", PROGRAM="/bin/sh -c 'K=%k; K=$${K#pcmC}; K=$${K%%D*}; echo defaults.ctl.card $$K > /etc/asound.conf; echo defaults.pcm.card $$K >>/etc/asound.conf"
KERNEL=="pcmC[D0-9cp]*", ACTION=="remove", PROGRAM="/bin/sh -c 'echo defaults.ctl.card 0 > /etc/asound.conf; echo defaults.pcm.card 0 >>/etc/asound.conf'"
This solution has some disadvantages but it is acceptible. If you know of any better solution, please tell me.
For the second problem, I found this script which uses qdbus org.kde.kmix /Mixers org.kde.KMix.MixSet.setCurrentMaster method to set the master channel. However, I think that constant monitoring for the usb SC being plugged is not very effective. So I thought appending the following code to the second line of the previous udev rule would do the work:
, RUN+="/usr/bin/qdbus org.kde.kmix /Mixers org.kde.KMix.MixSet.setCurrentMaster "ALSA::C-Media_USB_Headphone_Set:1" "Speaker:0""
But that results in some weird behaviour: master channel stays the same but there would be three new tabs in the kMix window now: USB Set", USB Set# and USB Set$.
Here's what log messages tell us:
07/14/12 12:25:13 PM localhost kernel [10889.749048] usb 3-1: new full-speed USB device number 13 using uhci_hcd
07/14/12 12:25:14 PM localhost kernel [10889.914921] input: C-Media USB Headphone Set as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.1/usb3/3-1/3-1:1.3/input/input21
07/14/12 12:25:14 PM localhost kernel [10889.915454] generic-usb 0003:0D8C:000C.000C: input,hidraw0: USB HID v1.00 Device [C-Media USB Headphone Set ] on usb-0000:00:1a.1-1/input3
07/14/12 12:25:14 PM localhost mtp-probe checking bus 3, device 13: "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.1/usb3/3-1"
07/14/12 12:25:14 PM localhost mtp-probe checking bus 3, device 13: "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.1/usb3/3-1"
07/14/12 12:25:14 PM localhost mtp-probe checking bus 3, device 13: "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.1/usb3/3-1"
07/14/12 12:25:14 PM localhost mtp-probe checking bus 3, device 13: "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.1/usb3/3-1"
07/14/12 12:25:14 PM localhost mtp-probe bus: 3, device: 13 was not an MTP device
07/14/12 12:25:14 PM localhost mtp-probe bus: 3, device: 13 was not an MTP device
07/14/12 12:25:14 PM localhost mtp-probe bus: 3, device: 13 was not an MTP device
07/14/12 12:25:14 PM localhost mtp-probe bus: 3, device: 13 was not an MTP device
You see, the probe thing is running multiple times!
And here is an excerpt from udev debugger:
starting '/usr/bin/qdbus org.kde.kmix /Mixers org.kde.KMix.MixSet.setCurrentMaster '
'/usr/bin/qdbus org.kde.kmix /Mixers org.kde.KMix.MixSet.setCurrentMaster '(err) 'Could not connect to D-Bus server: org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.NotSupported: Unable to autolaunch a dbus-daemon without a $DISPLAY for X11'
'/usr/bin/qdbus org.kde.kmix /Mixers org.kde.KMix.MixSet.setCurrentMaster ' [2769] exit with return code 1
'/usr/bin/qdbus org.kde.kmix /Mixers org.kde.KMix.MixSet.setCurrentMaster '(err) 'Could not connect to D-Bus server: org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.NotSupported: Unable to autolaunch a dbus-daemon without a $DISPLAY for X11'
Some kind of X11 problem... And also happening twice! Why?
Running the setCurrentMaster method in terminal works very nicely, so the problem must be the way udev runs it.
One last thing - sometimes the usb SC automatically reconnects (disconnects and connects). I read somewhere that most probably the usb device makes the trouble, but maybe there are other possiblities?
Last edited by andrisll (2012-07-14 10:04:16)

Questions about the best sound card & speakers for my setup...

Greetings,
I am building another high-end dekstop PC. I'm looking for a NICE sound card and a set of 7.1 speakers. I currently have a X-Fi Fatalty FPS card, but was thinking of selling it and getting an X-Fi Prelude since it has optical out. I was also thinking about a set of Gigaworks S750 speakers, until I realized they don't have optical in. I was hoping someone more familiar with PC Audio could help me out. I have read several things (including the sticky/float post) about digital audio, but I still have a few questions.
1. What are the advantages/disadvantages of Digital Audio? (I have heard it sounds worse?!)
2. What is the best way to encode/decode audio? (Possibly keep it all Digital and not decode at all?)
3. Is EAX, Alchemy, CMSS compatible with Digital?
4. Why would Creative's top of the line S750 speakers not have Digital In?
I will be running Windows Vista and using the PC to play a lot of Games (including EAX), listen to music (mostly MP3 and WMA), and watch DVDs (I want FULL surround sound support). I want to have the ability to CMSS upmix stuff also. Can someone recommend something for me...
-Thank you

Hi
try eye tv from elgato:
http://www.elgato.com/
Good Luck.

5.1 sound cards for Mac?

I've been searching around and I've seen mixed reports of different sound cards working or not working for Mac. I'm aiming for the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 card (SB1090). (Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-SB1090-Blaster-Surround/dp/B0017QQQAE ) The only issue is that there is no volume control which is actually not an issue since my 5.1 surround receiver has one of those. I've seen nothing about the actual 5.1 working.
I've also heard about a Zalman 5.1 card (Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-ZM-RSSC-External-Sound-Card/dp/B0001OZ2K8 ) that I've read reports of fully working; 5.1 and all.
I'd like a collective opinion, and suggestions of which card I should buy. Thanks in advance.
Message was edited by: osxdude

Hi Jeffrey
Jeffrey Lee wrote:
Hey Bob
You are right... Apple's foray into multi-channel audio is a mixed bag.
I have just today raised a bug request asking for Apple to produce a Tech Note (or whatever) to explain the situation. If they do this (and do it right!) then this might act as a definitive source.
AC3 is what Dolby is(and probably always will be) for 5.1 audio on DVD's. This is a compressed matrix audio stream, and it is not full bandwidth on any of the 6 channels.
Yes, but it's changing all the time. I see there's now an uncompressed multichannel version called TrueHD.
I own a M-Audio FW410, which does have 10 separate audio outputs, but the only way to make use of those is with an application that specifically allows that to happen. In my case, Pro-Tools can see and make use of the different channels... perhaps a stereo pair for the control room, and a stereo pair for headphone monitor mixes. I also have a DJ program which allows for a stereo pair for the main speakers, a stereo pair for headphones, and a stereo pair for the DJ booth speakers. In all cases, these are full bandwidth channels, nothing is compressed, and all handled specifically by an application designed to use multi channel outputs. But there is no way for me to use those while playing back DVD's on my Mac, as there is no decoder on board, which is the first thing that has to happen to get 6 discrete audio channels out of an AC3 stream. The DVD app just can't do it.
If you mean Apple's own DVD Player, then I think you're right. However, I have used the free VLC player with my little Hercules USB card to play DVDs in true 5.1 audio. I recall I have to use Audio Midi Setup first, but it works ok. It would really be worth your while trying this with your multichannel system. You can probably use Audio Midi Setup to nominate 6 out of 10 speakers for the 5.1 channels.
I'm not a gamer, never have been so I'm skating on less than thin ice here, but there are only three options as I see it for games.
The first is the audio is only in stereo. In this case, sending it via analog or digital to a receiver with Dolby Pro-Logic would give you 'fake' 5.1 surround.
I'm not sure you'd even get that! I think you'll only get stereo from the front two speakers.
The second is that the audio is an AC3 stream, in which case, sending it out of the optical outs to a receiver would properly decode it into 6 separate audio channels
Yes, but that depends on the game having AC3 content. With the power of the Core Audio 3D mixer it's not the way I'd do it, but another developer might see it differently.
The third is, like the audio programs I mentioned above, the game has the ability to assign certain channels to certain outputs in any combination from stereo to 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more channels. As I said, I'm not a gamer, so have no idea of what the options are, but I'm guessing the last option is the least likely.
For that, you'd still need a separate FireWire or USB sound card.
NEITHER of the OP's device suggestions have anywhere near 6 discrete audio out's, so at best passing a digital signal to a receiver is the only thing he can do with those choices. My guess is most PC's don't have any kind of built in digital audio output, so for those kinds of computers, either of his choices would make sense. But since most modern Macs have a digital output to begin with, I stand by my original post.
I try to avoid PCs so I'm not up to date with their current abilities.
The Mac's multi-channel ability is compounded by Blu-Ray, who's HD audio streams can be multi-channel un-compressed, full bandwidth audio. The only way to access that audio directly from a BluRay disc is from discrete audio outputs on a Blu-Ray player, or thru an HDMI cable to a receiver who can handle that kind of audio stream.
BluRay can use TrueHD on (IFRC) up to 8 channels, but I don't think it's compulsory, so there may be BluRays out there which use compressed AC3.
I've ripped a few BluRay discs to my hard drive, but with the sad shape of HD playback on Macs, I'm mostly limited to listening to the AC3 streams, decoded by my receiver. +(Presumably, the newest generation of Macs allow for HDMI outputs, including uncompressed multi channel audio)+. I have had a limited amount of success using VLC for playback, and assigning the individual, uncompressed audio tracks to different outputs on my FW410, but haven't invested in the cabling necessary to hook that up to the discrete inputs on my receiver(and probably never will), but at least it SEEMS possible.
This is why we need a definitive answer from Apple. I'll keep you posted with the progress of my bug request, but I'm not holding my breath for anything soon.
All the best
Bob

[Solved] SB Live 5.1 Sound card changes after each reboot.

Hi
I have SB Live 5.1 soundcard that changes it's "location" after each upgrade, and I have to do the changes manually in the different applications: xmms, vlc, xine, etc in order to have sound back.
As you can imagine it's quite tediuos to do the changes everytime.
And videos, radio or music, can't be heard at all from internet.
Only when sound card is in hw: 0,0 no manually setups are not needed and sound in internet is ok.
This is the aplay -l output when is in hw: 0,0
play -l
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: Live [SB Live! 5.1 [SB0220]], device 0: emu10k1 [ADC Capture/Standard PCM Playback]
Subdevices: 31/32
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
Subdevice #1: subdevice #1
Subdevice #2: subdevice #2
Subdevice #3: subdevice #3
Subdevice #4: subdevice #4
Subdevice #5: subdevice #5
Subdevice #6: subdevice #6
Subdevice #7: subdevice #7
Subdevice #8: subdevice #8
Subdevice #9: subdevice #9
Subdevice #10: subdevice #10
Subdevice #11: subdevice #11
Subdevice #12: subdevice #12
Subdevice #13: subdevice #13
Subdevice #14: subdevice #14
Subdevice #15: subdevice #15
Subdevice #16: subdevice #16
Subdevice #17: subdevice #17
Subdevice #18: subdevice #18
Subdevice #19: subdevice #19
Subdevice #20: subdevice #20
Subdevice #21: subdevice #21
Subdevice #22: subdevice #22
Subdevice #23: subdevice #23
Subdevice #24: subdevice #24
Subdevice #25: subdevice #25
Subdevice #26: subdevice #26
Subdevice #27: subdevice #27
Subdevice #28: subdevice #28
Subdevice #29: subdevice #29
Subdevice #30: subdevice #30
Subdevice #31: subdevice #31
card 0: Live [SB Live! 5.1 [SB0220]], device 2: emu10k1 efx [Multichannel Capture/PT Playback]
Subdevices: 8/8
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
Subdevice #1: subdevice #1
Subdevice #2: subdevice #2
Subdevice #3: subdevice #3
Subdevice #4: subdevice #4
Subdevice #5: subdevice #5
Subdevice #6: subdevice #6
Subdevice #7: subdevice #7
card 0: Live [SB Live! 5.1 [SB0220]], device 3: emu10k1 [Multichannel Playback]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: V8237 [VIA 8237], device 0: VIA 8237 [VIA 8237]
Subdevices: 4/4
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
Subdevice #1: subdevice #1
Subdevice #2: subdevice #2
Subdevice #3: subdevice #3
card 1: V8237 [VIA 8237], device 1: VIA 8237 [VIA 8237]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
And this one when have to reconfigure:
aplay -l
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: V8237 [VIA 8237], device 0: VIA 8237 [VIA 8237]
Subdevices: 4/4
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
Subdevice #1: subdevice #1
Subdevice #2: subdevice #2
Subdevice #3: subdevice #3
card 0: V8237 [VIA 8237], device 1: VIA 8237 [VIA 8237]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: Live [SB Live! 5.1 [SB0220]], device 0: emu10k1 [ADC Capture/Standard PCM Playback]
Subdevices: 32/32
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
Subdevice #1: subdevice #1
Subdevice #2: subdevice #2
Subdevice #3: subdevice #3
Subdevice #4: subdevice #4
Subdevice #5: subdevice #5
Subdevice #6: subdevice #6
Subdevice #7: subdevice #7
Subdevice #8: subdevice #8
Subdevice #9: subdevice #9
Subdevice #10: subdevice #10
Subdevice #11: subdevice #11
Subdevice #12: subdevice #12
Subdevice #13: subdevice #13
Subdevice #14: subdevice #14
Subdevice #15: subdevice #15
Subdevice #16: subdevice #16
Subdevice #17: subdevice #17
Subdevice #18: subdevice #18
Subdevice #19: subdevice #19
Subdevice #20: subdevice #20
Subdevice #21: subdevice #21
Subdevice #22: subdevice #22
Subdevice #23: subdevice #23
Subdevice #24: subdevice #24
Subdevice #25: subdevice #25
Subdevice #26: subdevice #26
Subdevice #27: subdevice #27
Subdevice #28: subdevice #28
Subdevice #29: subdevice #29
Subdevice #30: subdevice #30
Subdevice #31: subdevice #31
card 1: Live [SB Live! 5.1 [SB0220]], device 2: emu10k1 efx [Multichannel Capture/PT Playback]
Subdevices: 8/8
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
Subdevice #1: subdevice #1
Subdevice #2: subdevice #2
Subdevice #3: subdevice #3
Subdevice #4: subdevice #4
Subdevice #5: subdevice #5
Subdevice #6: subdevice #6
Subdevice #7: subdevice #7
card 1: Live [SB Live! 5.1 [SB0220]], device 3: emu10k1 [Multichannel Playback]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
Could you please tell me how SB Live 5.1 card can be fixed to hw: 0,0?
Cheers
Martin
Last edited by martincho (2010-12-22 05:22:55)

Hi
Now it's solved following this link: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/ALSA
There found section: Set the default sound card
Where have to change file /etc/modprobe.d/modprobe.conf
options snd-emu10k1 index=0
and also in /etc/rc.conf disable modules of the other sound card:
MODULES=(!snd-via82xx)
Tks

Humming noise when I connect my sound card to my band mixer H

Hello,
This is driving me nuts. What I'm trying to do is connect my pc through my Audigy 2 pci card to my band mixer so I can play tracks through my main system. I know the cords aren't the problem because they are high quality and they work fine in other applications. What could be some of the causes and/or solutions for this buzzing/humming sound that emanates.
The connection starts at my external sound card with an /8" stereo phono plug that splits to two RCA's. These then connect to the back of my mixer into one of the "Line In" ports. Then the mixer signal is sent to a crossover and then to two amps for highs and lows and out to the speakers. I can hear the music but there is a steady HUM. It doesn't do it with my laptop with a cheap internal sound output but as soon as I plug into the Audigy 2 the hum is there. I already tried all volume controls in sound blaster and that did nothing to the level of hum. I was hoping someone could give me a checklist of things to examine so I don't waste hours trying everything. Thanks so much. Frank
[size="2" face="Arial">

phreemotion wrote:
my tv takes rca...basically my question is....the RCA wires comign from my tv, how do i connect them to my sound card's flexijack...if thats even where it goesMessage Edited by phreemotion on 06-7-2008 04:45 AM
You don't mention if you want to connect the card into TV through analog or digital path. I suppose you mean digital.
Flexijacks Digital Out supports stereo SPDIF (coaxial) out and pass through of multichannel DVD sound. You'll need at least a mono minijack to RCA (female or male) adapter/cable :
<img alt="" src="http://www.audiogear.com/Resources/AdptMnitoRcaF.jpg" width="76" height="58">
or an adapter or cable which converts the stereo minijack into two (female or male) RCA connectors:
<img alt="" src="http://www.audiogear.com/Resources/adpt-2RcfMsmS.jpg" width="42" height="20">?
OR an adapter cable (RCA end by the RCA cable you have there (male/female)):
<img alt="" src="http://www.audiogear.com/Resources/Adpt2RcfMsm.jpg" width="95" height="6">?
For digital connection, connect the cable through FlexiJack ... when you use stereo cable/adapter then the black/white cable carries the digital signal in the other end.
For analog connection, the best analog output from X-Fi card? can be taken through Line Out (see the X-Fi manual for connection diagrams).
For Optical Digital OUT from FlexiJack an additional compnent is needed
?<img alt="" src="http://images.americas.creative.com/images/products/large/470.png" width="290" height="290">?
jutapa?

[SOLVED] Sound Card not recognized on Macbook (5,1)

Hello,
I had no problems installing Archlinux on my Macbook (5,1). In fact, the first time I followed the Wiki's instructions for installing ALSA, I could play sounds just fine. However, ever since my first restart, the ALSA daemon complains that I have no sound cards installed. lspci shows that it sees an audio device, but /sys/modules/snd no longer exists. I do not know much about useful diagnostic information for this situation, so please let me know what else could be of use.
Thank you,
Rob
Last edited by rennis250 (2009-07-28 20:58:00)

I had forgotten that I installed OSS, which caused conflicts with a previously installed copy of ALSA. Once I removed OSS completely, rebooted, and went through the ALSA setup again, I had fully working sound. This problem can be marked as solved.
--Rob

[SOLVED] Sound card not recognized

I tried following the ALSA setup guide on the Wiki to get my sound working but I don't think Arch recognizes my sound card. I found out from lshwd that the module is snd-intel8x0 so I modprobed that and snd-pcm-oss, changed the values in alsamixer, added myself to the audio group, installed alsa-utils, alsa-lib and alsa-oss and restarted everything but I still have no sound. Here's some output:
lsmod | grep '^snd'
snd_intel8x0 28700 1
snd_ac97_codec 95780 1 snd_intel8x0
snd_pcm_oss 38688 0
snd_pcm 69124 3 snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm_oss
snd_seq_device 6796 0
snd_mixer_oss 14592 1 snd_pcm_oss
snd_timer 19076 1 snd_pcm
snd 44516 9 snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm_oss,snd_pcm,snd_seq_device,snd_mixer_oss,snd_timer
snd_page_alloc 7816 2 snd_intel8x0,snd_pcm
ls -l /dev/snd
total 0
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 0 2007-07-12 21:35 controlC0
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 24 2007-07-12 21:35 pcmC0D0c
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 16 2007-07-12 21:35 pcmC0D0p
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 25 2007-07-12 21:35 pcmC0D1c
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 26 2007-07-12 21:35 pcmC0D2c
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 27 2007-07-12 21:35 pcmC0D3c
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 20 2007-07-12 21:35 pcmC0D4p
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 33 2007-07-12 13:02 timer
The wiki says that if you have controlC0 and pcmC0D0p in that output then the modules have been loaded properly and they are both there so I'm not sure where to go from here. Your help would be appreciated.
Last edited by Thrillhouse (2007-07-12 22:23:29)

you need to start alsa if you haven't already done so... /etc/alsa start
prolly better to run alsacoconf if you still have problems

Alsa does not select correct sound card. SOLVED

I have onboard sound and do not have any additional sound cards installed. Alsa detects two soundcards, but for some reason seems to prefer the one that doesn't work. I am honestly not sure what the other audio device is; I do not have a second sound card installed, nor a modem or a PC speaker or any other audio device that I know of. It has always been that way, and I didn't look into it any deeper than that. I have been using Arch Linux for a about four years and the audio has worked flawlessly until I re-installed a few days ago.
For reference, the HDA NVidia sound card is the one I want to output sound. The non-working one is Conexant CX8801.
My symptoms are as follows:
$ aplay -l
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 1: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 0: ALC883 Analog [ALC883 Analog]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 1: ALC883 Digital [ALC883 Digital]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
# cat /proc/asound/cards
0 [CX8801 ]: CX88x - Conexant CX8801
Conexant CX8801 at 0xf9000000
1 [NVidia ]: HDA-Intel - HDA NVidia
HDA NVidia at 0xfe024000 irq 23
As you can see, the Conexant CX8801 (the wrong card) takes the index 0 position.
My usual alsa setup routine is to run the alsaconf script. The alsaconf script edits /etc/modprobe.d/sound.conf for me, where it should explicitly identify the HDA NVidia card as index 0. In the sound.conf below, alsaconf generated the first two lines. I wrote the third line as a course of troubleshooting, but it still does not work.
$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/sound.conf
#THESE LINES WERE GENERATED BY ALSACONF SCRIPT
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
alias sound-slot-0 snd-hda-intel
#THIS LINE WAS GENERATED BY ME
option snd-hda-intel index=0
$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/modprobe.conf
# /etc/modprobe.d/modprobe.conf (for v2.6 kernels)
# NOTICE THERE ARE NO CONFIGURATIONS IN THIS FILE. EMPTY.
I am by no means an alsa guru, so that's why I've enlisted the help of the forums. Tell me, what am I forgetting? What don't I know?
Last edited by cory.schwartz (2010-06-16 02:52:06)

Install asoundconf http://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php?ID=23382
do
asoundconf list
to find out the correct name, then do
asoundconf set-default-card bla
to set the default card.
asoundconf creates a ~/.asoundrc.asoundconf and sets an include for that fil in ~/.asoundrc

Skype can't detect sound card, issue with playback...

Hello
I have just received my Razer kraken 7.1 headset and have installed razer synapse 2.0. I have set up my mic and speakers of the headset through the control panel, my playback is set as the razer kraken 7.1 earphone and the mic is set as the headset microphone through the recording tab. When I launch skype there is no sound produce through the application, however with previous headsets there has been, I have tried going on youtube to see if sound comes through the headset and it does. Previously I have been using a turtle beach z11 which used 3.5mm jacks in to the computer however this new headset is usb operated. When skype opens and I try to call someone it says problem with playback device meaning I can't call anyone at all. However when checking call quality it says everything is working fine even though it isn't.
So far I have tried re-installing skype and restarting my pc none of this has worked so far, I know this isn't likely a fault with the headset as it works with all other programmes I have tried.
I am using a custom built pc with
OS: WIN7 64 BIT Home Premium
GPU: AMD HD7950
CPU: i5-3550
RAM: 8gb 1333mhz
Motherboard: Asus p67 series
Sound card: Onboard 7.1 audio
Any help with my problems would be much appreciated.
-Thanks
George Snell

@gsnell, Please setup your audio device directly in Skype and not only in the windows playback/record interface.
Also, please try to quit synapse 2.0 since it may interfere with Skype.
Also please try with the latest 6.13 version
www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-windows/downloading/
if nothing helps, Can you please provide logs as described in this link https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA12321/how-do-i-create-log-files under Skype for Windows Desktop and attach it to your post?
Thank you

External USB Sound Card and 6-channel 5.1 SS speakers not working

Hi. I purchased a few devices to expand my sound to 5.1 surround sound. However, I'm having trouble getting any results at all. Here's my situation.
New 24-in Intel iMac
Logitech G51 Surround Sound Speakers
PPA International External Sound 6 Channel USB device
I can select the audio device in the Sound control panel and under the Audio MIDI Setup utility. I have changed the device to be a 6 channel device, but I cannot get any sound to come out of the speakers at all. It could be that this particular USB audio device is not compatible, but since it shows up as a selectable device I had some hope that it would work. The device doesn't claim to be mac compatible, but that isn't always a requirement. I crossed my fingers and took a chance.
If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate the help.

I'm almost certain it is because of the lack of a mac driver for this particular sound card. <gasp> This setup works great under XP when using BootCamp. If I'm dead in the water with sound card, are there reliable alternatives I look for?
Here are the links to the products I'm referring to.
The sound card:
http://www.ppa-usa.com/products/soundcard/1455.htm
The speakers:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakersaudio/home_pcspeakers/devices/3549&cl=us,en

XP Pro, Service Packs 1,2,3, and sound card problems

I recently purchased a white macbook. So far it has been a very good experience, however I am having some trouble with XP Pro and its service packs. I've installed XP and it works fine for the most part however the sound card does not work. I tried to install the sound card drivers but they did not work. My questions are:
- Do I need to install service pack 1 seperately or does it install with XP?
- Can I only use service pack 2 for the drivers to work or can I use service pack 3 as well?
- When I try to install service pack 2, it says that i require 4 more megabytes, I free space, however it still states the same thing, how do I resolve this?

Hi all and welcome to Discussions,
the 4MB error has amde its return with the Service Pack 3, so maybe these insructions can help you:
1. Click Start - Run - Type “regedit” and press enter.
2. Navigate to
HKEYLOCALMACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup
HKEYLOCALMACHINE
\Software
\Microsoft
\Windows
\CurrentVersion
\Setup
3. In the right pane, Right-click and select New - String value
4. Name it as “BootDir” and set its value to “C:\”
XP with Service Pack 2 was always a neecessity with BootCamp.
Microsoft has add some with the SP2 that are needed for BootCamp to work.
For older (pre-SP2 XP-CDs) you can use these instructions http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxpsp2slipstream.asp to make yourself a XP SP2 installation CD.
Works with SP3 as well, but to my knowledge you must have a XP SP1 CD for start.
Regards
Stefan

Sound cards macbook air

I am looking at buying the newly released macbook Air for travel.
I am heavily into audio recording and presently use a MOTU sound card with my home i Mac.
I was wondering if any one has a specific recommendation for a sound card that is portable yet functional with the new MBAir.
Your input would definitely be appreciated.
Thank you
RJC

Hopefully one of these steps should solve the problem.
1. System Preference > Sound > Output > Internal Speakers
    Highlight Internal Speakers / Headphones
    Make sure Mute is not enabled.
2. Remove the headphone.
    If you see red light in the headphone port, plug the headphone
    in and out of the port 5 or 6 times to flip the microswitch inside.
    Sound output may be stuck in the digital mode.
3. Reset PRAM. http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405
4. Reset SMC.     http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
    Choose the method for:
    "Resetting SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own".
5. Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup
    Audio Devices window
    Side Bar
    Click the Built-in Output.
    Under Mute any of the boxes checked? If so, uncheck it.

Improving SNR on Mic recording to built-in sound-card's mic jack

Hi all,
I've been doing my recordings from the built-in mic jack in my laptop (sound card is the basic Intel HDA). From the 'headphones' jack of my Korg, this is not a problem, as the volume level is plenty loud enough for my input volume in alsamixer to be set to about 13% or something like that, which basically means minimal/negligable noise.
However, I just purchased a Shure SM57 mic for vocal/guitar recordings. It's an XLR mic, so I use an XLR cable, an Audio-Technica transformer to convert it to quarter-inch, and then a quarter-inch to headphone-jack converter.
My problem is that the volume levels, as you may imagine, are really low on such a setup, such that I have to turn alsamixer input volume up near to 100%, AND activate some mic boost as well. This means that I get heaps of noise, which is obviously non-ideal.
How can I improve the SNR ratio? Some other sort of converting transformers? Do I need a pre-amp? Are there good noise-removal plugins in Ardour that you could recommend?

If your profile is correct you are running Lion so you don't have a DVD you use the recovery partition.
As long as you do an overwrite install and not a clean install (were you wipe the HD before installing) your files will remain only the system files will be written.
Having said that even though it is safe to do whenever you're doing something like this you should have a good current working backup just in case.
See OS X: About OS X Recovery - Support - Apple for information about using the recovert partition.

Multichannel sound card setup

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for