Sound configuration with ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture)

Support knowledgebase (swgkern_alsa)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Versions since 6.3
ALSA: Version 0.4.1-

Request:

You want to configure your sound card or sound chip with ALSA.

Support

Which sound cards are supported by ALSA?
Install as root the package alsa from series snd using YaST. You find more information about this topic at chapter 3.4.3 Changing your configuration of your SuSE Know-How-Manual or if you are using the Personal Edition (since 7.0) at chapter 2.4.4.3 of your Configuration Manual.

The file

/usr/share/doc/packages/alsa/SOUNDCARDS

contains a list of supported cards. If you're using an earlier version of SuSE Linux (e.g. 6.3/6.4) the file is located at

/usr/share/doc/packages/alsa/SOUNDCARDS

You can read this file e.g. with

less /usr/share/doc/packages/alsa/SOUNDCARDS

In the case your card isn't supported by ALSA, you should make use of the Open Sound System (OSS) from 4Front. In case you are using a SuSE 7.0 professional, you also can find more information about OSS at chapter 10.3.2 of your SuSE Know-How-Manual.

You can find more information about ALSA at

http://www.alsa-project.org/

Hints which sound cards and sound chips are supported by the current ALSA-version can be found at

http://www.alsa-project.org/~goemon/

Short ALSA overview:

* Mixer - extended API for applications and mixer

* Digital Audio (PCM) - extended features for applications - full-duplex support

* OSS/Lite Compatibility - mixer-device - PCM- and Sun-Audio Device (/dev/dsp, /dev/audio)

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Configuration of ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture)

To configure ALSA at a textoriented base, use alsaconf. Since SuSE Linux 6.4 you can also configure ALSA in a graphic mode with Yast2.

Configuration with alsaconf:

Start YaST as root and install the package alsa from series snd. You can find more about that at chapter 3.4.3 Changing your configuration of your SuSE Know-How-Manual or if you are using the Personal Edition (since 7.0) at chapter 2.4.4.3 of your Configuration Manual.

The file

/usr/share/doc/packages/alsa/SOUNDCARDS

contains a list of supported cards. If you're using an earlier version of SuSE Linux (e.g. 6.3/6.4) the file is located at

/usr/share/doc/packages/alsa/SOUNDCARDS

You can read this file e.g. with

less /usr/share/doc/packages/alsa/SOUNDCARDS

After the installation has been completed, run the program alsaconf. Therefore change to the directory /usr/bin/ with

cd /usr/bin/

and execute

./alsaconf

Under SuSE Linux 6.3 you find alsaconf at /usr/sbin/. You will be led through the ALSA configuration by the ALSA menu.

Supported PCI and ISA-PnP soundcards will be recognized automatically by alsaconf and all you have to do, is to confirm the mentioned values. For supported ISA and not automatically recognized ISA-PnP sound cards you must select them manually from the list and also just confirm the mentioned values.

After the sound modules have been loaded, the sound channels which are set to mute yet, have to be unmuted.

Alsaconf enters its configuration by itself to the file /etc/modules.conf, though the ALSA-sound modules are loaded automatically while booting the PC.

Manual loading and unloading of ALSA sound modules are realized by executing

rcalsasound start

rcalsasound stop

Manual reloading a module is realized by executing

rcalsasound restart

Mixer:

xamixer2, amixer and gamix. OSS and KDE mixer can also be used.


Keywords: ALSA, SOUND, YAST2, ALSACONF, 6.3, 6.4, 7.0

Categories: Sound

SDB-swgkern_alsa, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 19. Jan 2001
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 01. Feb 2001 by swiegra (sdb_gen 1.40.0)