19 Oct
2006
19 Oct
'06
6:34 a.m.
Hi list.
Since I'm not a programmer, trying to document the .asoundrc syntax is somewhat
cumbersome.
I'm writing an introductory howto for linux music making, in swedish, and I can't
really get a grasp
of the syntax in .asoundrc or any other alsa configuration file (like those in
/usr/share/alsa/) for that matter.
I wonder if anyone got easy-to-understand links for this, except the ALSA-wiki and the
Gentoo ALSA-howto?
These both round up an endless number of examples, but does leave out (IMHO) important
parts that is needed
for a thourough understanding if you're a moron like me. ;)
For example:
pcm.!default {
type asym
playback.pcm {
type plug
slave.pcm "hw:0,0"
}
capture.pcm {
type plug
slave.pcm "hw:1,0"
}
}
This overrides the default setting,
uses type asym (which is what exactly? asymmetrical, yes, but what does that mean?)
sets a playback.pcm (which is defined where originally?)
Why does it say 'slave.pcm "hw:0,0"' and nothing like:
pcm_slave.sltest {
pcm ens1371
}
and what is the difference?
etc. and so on, und so weiter
A lot of questions, an probably a few stupid ones as well. Regretfully, to be able to
explain it properly, I need a somewhat
deeper understanding than I have now, and since some of the sharpest minds in the Linux
audio community are on this list
I thought I'd switch from endless googling to a cry for help. :)
I'd be more than glad to write an english howto aswell, for people like me to use.
However, I might need some help with
correctional reading once it's done. ;)
So, anyone got tips, links, an hour to spare or whatever? All is welcome.
Regards,
Mathias
19 Oct
19 Oct
6:53 a.m.
On Thursday 19 October 2006 17:34, Mathias Friman wrote:
I wonder if anyone got easy-to-understand links for this, except the
ALSA-wiki and the Gentoo ALSA-howto? These both round up an endless number
of examples, but does leave out (IMHO) important parts that is needed for a
thourough understanding if you're a moron like me. ;)
No howto on hand, but maybe I can answer some questions
For example:
pcm.!default {
type asym
playback.pcm {
type plug
slave.pcm "hw:0,0"
}
capture.pcm {
type plug
slave.pcm "hw:1,0"
}
}
This overrides the default setting,
uses type asym (which is what exactly? asymmetrical, yes, but what does
that mean?) sets a playback.pcm (which is defined where originally?)
asym means the control is used for both play and record.
Why does it say 'slave.pcm "hw:0,0"'
and nothing like:
pcm_slave.sltest {
pcm ens1371
}
and what is the difference?
hw:0,0 is a syntax for the first alsa device, regardless of *what* device it
actually is. So the config will work regardless of what card you have.
So, anyone got tips, links, an hour to spare or
whatever? All is welcome.
A while ago I did some research and tweaking to make a .asoundrc with
program-specific controls. The theory is taken from a website which I really
should reference but can't recall. Maybe the file will be of use to you? It
creates a number of useable controls, and then you tell the actual program to
use the named control.
It should show a logical chain of events. Feel free to ask questions about it.
# ALSA controls to enable software mixers
# PCM output devices
pcm.output_main
{
type dmix
ipc_key 1024
ipc_perm 0666
slave
{
pcm "hw:0,0"
period_time 0
period_size 1024
buffer_size 8192
}
}
bindings
{
0 0
1 1
}
# PCM input devices
pcm.input_mic
{
type dsnoop
ipc_key 2048
slave.pcm "hw:0,0"
}
# Asym devices
# use input and output at the same time
pcm.asym_main_mic
{
type asym
playback.pcm "output_main_control"
capture.pcm "input_mic"
}
# Hardware control devices
ctl.mixer0
{
type hw
card 0
}
# Volume controls
pcm.output_main_control
{
type softvol
slave.pcm "output_main"
control
{
name "All"
card 0
}
}
pcm.default_control
{
type softvol
slave.pcm "asym_main_mic"
control
{
name "Unassigned"
card 0
}
}
pcm.xmms_control
{
type softvol
slave.pcm "output_main_control"
control
{
name "XMMS"
card 0
}
}
pcm.film_control
{
type softvol
slave.pcm "output_main_control"
control
{
name "Film"
card 0
}
}
pcm.psi_control
{
type softvol
slave.pcm "output_main_control"
control
{
name "Psi"
card 0
}
}
pcm.skype_control
{
type softvol
slave.pcm "asym_main_mic"
control
{
name "Skype"
card 0
}
}
pcm.system_control
{
type softvol
slave.pcm "asym_main_mic"
control
{
name "System"
card 0
}
}
# OSS devices (Audacity) - doesn't quite work as expected. Fix sometime.
pcm.output_oss
{
type softvol
slave.pcm "asym_main_mic"
control
{
name "OSS"
card 0
}
}
pcm.dsp0
{
type plug
slave.pcm "output_oss"
}
# Default ALSA devices
pcm.!default
{
type plug
slave.pcm "default_control"
}
pcm.default
{
type plug
slave.pcm "default_control"
}
# Custom app plug devices
pcm.xmms
{
type plug
slave.pcm "xmms_control"
}
pcm.film
{
type plug
slave.pcm "film_control"
}
pcm.psi
{
type plug
slave.pcm "psi_control"
}
pcm.skype
{
type plug
slave.pcm "skype_control"
}
pcm.system
{
type plug
slave.pcm "system_control"
}
# To make the mixer devices available you need to run the following commands
# aplay /path/to/a.wav -D film
# aplay /path/to/a.wav -D psim
# aplay /path/to/a.wav -D system
# aplay /path/to/a.wav -D xmms
# aplay /path/to/a.wav -D skype
# aplay /path/to/a.wav
- Noven
--
-- Novensiles divi Flamen --<
---- Miles Militis Fons ----<
10:58 a.m.
On Thu, 2006-10-19 at 12:34 +0200, Mathias Friman wrote:
Hi list.
Since I'm not a programmer, trying to document the .asoundrc syntax is
somewhat cumbersome.
I'm writing an introductory howto for linux music making, in swedish,
and I can't really get a grasp
of the syntax in .asoundrc or any other alsa configuration file (like
those in /usr/share/alsa/) for that matter.
I wonder if anyone got easy-to-understand links for this, except the
ALSA-wiki and the Gentoo ALSA-howto?
These both round up an endless number of examples, but does leave out
(IMHO) important parts that is needed
for a thourough understanding if you're a moron like me. ;)
Normal users should never have to understand .asoundrc syntax or use
an .asoundrc at all. The best advice you can give is to forget there is
any such thing as an .asoundrc, and consider it an ALSA bug if their
soundcard does not do the right thing without one.
Lee
22 Oct
22 Oct
9:16 a.m.
On Thursday 19 October 2006 11:34, Mathias Friman was like:
I'd be more than glad to write an english howto
aswell, for people like me
to use. However, I might need some help with correctional reading once it's
done. ;)
I'd be glad to help with that.
--
cheers,
tim hall
http://glastonburymusic.org.uk/tim
We are the people We've been waiting for.
6714
days inactive
6717
days old
linux-audio-user@lists.linuxaudio.org
3 comments
4 participants
participants (4)
-
Lee Revell -
Mathias Friman -
Novensiles divi Flamen -
tim hall