Audio Issues / Resetting Audio

Human2903 · September 27, 2022, 9:27pm

Hi there!
This is my first post here. I recently switched from Windows to Linux on my desktop. I’ve been using Linux for quite a while before, but mainly on headless systems. As first distribution I’ve tried PopOS, but left it quite fast as I really didn’t like that UI-Centric-Approach. So I came to endeavourOS and really like it.

Enough with my introduction, here’s my problem:

I probably messed up my audio system and got no clue where all the configs of it are stored or can be reset to defaults
Default Audio Device switching doesn’t always work.
Can’t get the Microphone on the Audio Interface get to work.

Further explanation to the problems:

There is /etc/pulse which just contains a default client.conf
There is /etc/pipewire which contains empty *.d folders
There is /etc/alsa with a conf.d folder that contains various untouched configuration files
In ~/.conf is just a pavucontrol.ini which doesn’t seem to affect anything relevant. There’s no pulse/pipewire/alsa specific content/folder inside
I also tried indep_hp for my Realtek Card so I can do simultaneous playback on front and back. But it didn’t work and I don’t know how to reset it
Gnome has a lot of options (pavucontrol even more, if you count the profiles), sometimes it works correctly if I select my realtek card and sometimes it works when I switch to the interface. But it’s definitely not working every time, even though the output is the same as selected previously
I had it working sporadically once, but it didn’t work after a reboot since then. It doesn’t really matter which profile I choose.

I also thought this would be nice, but I don’t even know where to save those configs.

My System:

Currently running the LTS Kernel (Linux human-desktop 5.15.70-1-lts #1 SMP Fri, 23 Sep 2022 16:05:15 +0000 x86_64 GNU/Linux). I recently heard about the audio bug in the current kernel, so I switched to LTS.
Mainboard has an Onboard Realtek HD-Audio Controller with Speakers attached to it.
A Behringer UMC202HD Audio Interface is connected via USB with a Headset (Headphones + Microphone) attached.
I’ve got pavucontrol, qjackctl, helvum, easyeffects, echomixer, envy24 control, hdajackretask, hdspconf, hwmixvolume, hdspmixer
The Audio Setup works on the live-system (and on other OSses)
Using Gnome, so also got a default switcher in its control panel

Some probably interesting outputs for troubleshooting:

$ pactl list sinks                                                                                                                                                                                                       [23:05:22]
Sink #46
	State: IDLE
	Name: alsa_output.pci-0000_2d_00.4.analog-stereo
	Description: Starship/Matisse HD Audio Controller Analog Stereo
	Driver: PipeWire
	Sample Specification: s32le 2ch 48000Hz
	Channel Map: front-left,front-right
	Owner Module: 4294967295
	Mute: no
	Volume: front-left: 18136 /  28% / -33,48 dB,   front-right: 18136 /  28% / -33,48 dB
	        balance 0,00
	Base Volume: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB
	Monitor Source: alsa_output.pci-0000_2d_00.4.analog-stereo.monitor
	Latency: 0 usec, configured 0 usec
	Flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY 
	Properties:
		alsa.card = "1"
		alsa.card_name = "HD-Audio Generic"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.device = "0"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		alsa.id = "ALCS1200A Analog"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HD-Audio Generic at 0xfc900000 irq 106"
		alsa.name = "ALCS1200A Analog"
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		api.alsa.card.longname = "HD-Audio Generic at 0xfc900000 irq 106"
		api.alsa.card.name = "HD-Audio Generic"
		api.alsa.path = "front:1"
		api.alsa.pcm.card = "1"
		api.alsa.pcm.stream = "playback"
		audio.channels = "2"
		audio.position = "FL,FR"
		card.profile.device = "6"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		device.id = "44"
		device.profile.description = "Analog Stereo"
		device.profile.name = "analog-stereo"
		device.routes = "2"
		factory.name = "api.alsa.pcm.sink"
		media.class = "Audio/Sink"
		device.description = "Starship/Matisse HD Audio Controller"
		node.name = "alsa_output.pci-0000_2d_00.4.analog-stereo"
		node.nick = "ALCS1200A Analog"
		node.pause-on-idle = "false"
		object.path = "alsa:pcm:1:front:1:playback"
		priority.driver = "1009"
		priority.session = "1009"
		factory.id = "18"
		clock.quantum-limit = "8192"
		client.id = "32"
		node.driver = "true"
		factory.mode = "merge"
		audio.adapt.follower = ""
		library.name = "audioconvert/libspa-audioconvert"
		object.id = "45"
		object.serial = "46"
		node.max-latency = "16384/48000"
		api.alsa.period-size = "1024"
		api.alsa.period-num = "32"
		api.alsa.headroom = "0"
		api.acp.auto-port = "false"
		api.acp.auto-profile = "false"
		api.alsa.card = "1"
		api.alsa.use-acp = "true"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:2d:00.4"
		device.enum.api = "udev"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-analog-pci"
		device.name = "alsa_card.pci-0000_2d_00.4"
		device.nick = "HD-Audio Generic"
		device.plugged.usec = "4499999"
		device.product.id = "0x1487"
		device.product.name = "Starship/Matisse HD Audio Controller"
		device.subsystem = "sound"
		sysfs.path = "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:08.1/0000:2d:00.4/sound/card1"
		device.vendor.id = "0x1022"
		device.vendor.name = "Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD]"
		device.string = "1"
	Ports:
		analog-output-lineout: Line Out (type: Line, priority: 9000, availability group: Legacy 4, availability unknown)
		analog-output-headphones: Headphones (type: Headphones, priority: 9900, availability group: Legacy 5, availability unknown)
	Active Port: analog-output-lineout
	Formats:
		pcm

Sink #1631
	State: IDLE
	Name: alsa_output.usb-BEHRINGER_UMC202HD_192k-00.iec958-stereo
	Description: UMC202HD 192k Digital Stereo (IEC958)
	Driver: PipeWire
	Sample Specification: s32le 2ch 48000Hz
	Channel Map: front-left,front-right
	Owner Module: 4294967295
	Mute: no
	Volume: front-left: 42695 /  65% / -11,17 dB,   front-right: 42695 /  65% / -11,17 dB
	        balance 0,00
	Base Volume: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB
	Monitor Source: alsa_output.usb-BEHRINGER_UMC202HD_192k-00.iec958-stereo.monitor
	Latency: 0 usec, configured 0 usec
	Flags: HARDWARE DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY SET_FORMATS 
	Properties:
		alsa.card = "2"
		alsa.card_name = "UMC202HD 192k"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.device = "0"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_usb_audio"
		alsa.id = "USB Audio"
		alsa.long_card_name = "BEHRINGER UMC202HD 192k at usb-0000:2d:00.3-1.4, high speed"
		alsa.name = "USB Audio"
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		api.alsa.card.longname = "BEHRINGER UMC202HD 192k at usb-0000:2d:00.3-1.4, high speed"
		api.alsa.card.name = "UMC202HD 192k"
		api.alsa.path = "iec958:2"
		api.alsa.pcm.card = "2"
		api.alsa.pcm.stream = "playback"
		audio.channels = "2"
		audio.position = "FL,FR"
		card.profile.device = "5"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		device.id = "65"
		device.profile.description = "Digital Stereo (IEC958)"
		device.profile.name = "iec958-stereo"
		device.routes = "1"
		factory.name = "api.alsa.pcm.sink"
		media.class = "Audio/Sink"
		device.description = "UMC202HD 192k"
		node.name = "alsa_output.usb-BEHRINGER_UMC202HD_192k-00.iec958-stereo"
		node.nick = "UMC202HD 192k"
		node.pause-on-idle = "false"
		object.path = "alsa:pcm:2:iec958:2:playback"
		priority.driver = "1008"
		priority.session = "1008"
		factory.id = "18"
		clock.quantum-limit = "8192"
		client.id = "32"
		node.driver = "true"
		factory.mode = "merge"
		audio.adapt.follower = ""
		library.name = "audioconvert/libspa-audioconvert"
		object.id = "64"
		object.serial = "1631"
		node.max-latency = "16384/48000"
		api.alsa.period-size = "512"
		api.alsa.period-num = "64"
		api.alsa.headroom = "512"
		api.acp.auto-port = "false"
		api.acp.auto-profile = "false"
		api.alsa.card = "2"
		api.alsa.use-acp = "true"
		device.bus = "usb"
		device.bus-id = "usb-BEHRINGER_UMC202HD_192k-00"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:2d:00.3-usb-0:1.4:1.0"
		device.enum.api = "udev"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-analog-usb"
		device.name = "alsa_card.usb-BEHRINGER_UMC202HD_192k-00"
		device.nick = "UMC202HD 192k"
		device.plugged.usec = "7344237590"
		device.product.id = "0x0507"
		device.product.name = "UMC202HD 192k"
		device.serial = "BEHRINGER_UMC202HD_192k"
		device.subsystem = "sound"
		sysfs.path = "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:08.1/0000:2d:00.3/usb3/3-1/3-1.4/3-1.4:1.0/sound/card2"
		device.vendor.id = "0x1397"
		device.vendor.name = "BEHRINGER International GmbH"
		device.string = "2"
	Ports:
		iec958-stereo-output: Digital Output (S/PDIF) (type: SPDIF, priority: 0, availability unknown)
	Active Port: iec958-stereo-output
	Formats:
		pcm

Sink #1982
	State: IDLE
	Name: alsa_output.pci-0000_2b_00.1.hdmi-stereo
	Description: GA104 High Definition Audio Controller Digital Stereo (HDMI)
	Driver: PipeWire
	Sample Specification: s32le 2ch 48000Hz
	Channel Map: front-left,front-right
	Owner Module: 4294967295
	Mute: no
	Volume: front-left: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB,   front-right: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB
	        balance 0,00
	Base Volume: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB
	Monitor Source: alsa_output.pci-0000_2b_00.1.hdmi-stereo.monitor
	Latency: 0 usec, configured 0 usec
	Flags: HARDWARE DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY SET_FORMATS 
	Properties:
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA NVidia"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.device = "3"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		alsa.id = "HDMI 0"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA NVidia at 0xfc080000 irq 104"
		alsa.name = "HDMI 0"
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		api.alsa.card.longname = "HDA NVidia at 0xfc080000 irq 104"
		api.alsa.card.name = "HDA NVidia"
		api.alsa.path = "hdmi:0"
		api.alsa.pcm.card = "0"
		api.alsa.pcm.stream = "playback"
		audio.channels = "2"
		audio.position = "FL,FR"
		card.profile.device = "7"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		device.id = "43"
		device.profile.description = "Digital Stereo (HDMI)"
		device.profile.name = "hdmi-stereo"
		device.routes = "1"
		factory.name = "api.alsa.pcm.sink"
		media.class = "Audio/Sink"
		device.description = "GA104 High Definition Audio Controller"
		node.name = "alsa_output.pci-0000_2b_00.1.hdmi-stereo"
		node.nick = "HDMI 0"
		node.pause-on-idle = "false"
		object.path = "alsa:pcm:0:hdmi:0:playback"
		priority.driver = "696"
		priority.session = "696"
		factory.id = "18"
		clock.quantum-limit = "8192"
		client.id = "32"
		node.driver = "true"
		factory.mode = "merge"
		audio.adapt.follower = ""
		library.name = "audioconvert/libspa-audioconvert"
		object.id = "95"
		object.serial = "1982"
		node.max-latency = "16384/48000"
		api.alsa.period-size = "1024"
		api.alsa.period-num = "32"
		api.alsa.headroom = "0"
		api.acp.auto-port = "false"
		api.acp.auto-profile = "false"
		api.alsa.card = "0"
		api.alsa.use-acp = "true"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:2b:00.1"
		device.enum.api = "udev"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-analog-pci"
		device.name = "alsa_card.pci-0000_2b_00.1"
		device.nick = "HDA NVidia"
		device.plugged.usec = "4124684"
		device.product.id = "0x228b"
		device.product.name = "GA104 High Definition Audio Controller"
		device.subsystem = "sound"
		sysfs.path = "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:2b:00.1/sound/card0"
		device.vendor.id = "0x10de"
		device.vendor.name = "NVIDIA Corporation"
		device.string = "0"
	Ports:
		hdmi-output-0: HDMI / DisplayPort (type: HDMI, priority: 5900, availability group: Legacy 1, not available)
	Active Port: hdmi-output-0
	Formats:
		pcm

$ aplay -l                                                                                                                                                                                                               [23:05:16]
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 3: HDMI 0 [HDMI 0]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 7: HDMI 1 [HDMI 1]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 8: HDMI 2 [HDMI 2]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 9: HDMI 3 [HDMI 3]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 10: HDMI 4 [HDMI 4]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 11: HDMI 5 [HDMI 5]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: NVidia [HDA NVidia], device 12: HDMI 6 [HDMI 6]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: Generic [HD-Audio Generic], device 0: ALCS1200A Analog [ALCS1200A Analog]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: Generic [HD-Audio Generic], device 1: ALCS1200A Digital [ALCS1200A Digital]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: Generic [HD-Audio Generic], device 2: ALCS1200A Alt Analog [ALCS1200A Alt Analog]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 2: U192k [UMC202HD 192k], device 0: USB Audio [USB Audio]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

Just ask if you need more details! I am really thankful for your help!

anon11595408 · September 27, 2022, 9:36pm

At first glance, I’d point you to the upper right corner of pavucontrol-gui (Pulse-Audio Volume Control) to play with the Configuration .tab it offers, usually out of first sight:

If you play with it, be sure to turn the output-volume down low, as some have blown their hardware kaputt, when switching between sinks:

A heartily welcome to EndeavourOS

Human2903 · September 27, 2022, 9:48pm

Thank you ivanhoe for your welcome and reply
I’ve already tried various configuration profiles in there. Unfortunately none of them worked out as they should. This is my currently “working” configuration

I don’t get an input from my audio interface and it just has this one port setting. The onboard sound chip displays some random noise (nothing attached)

Don’t ask why, the UMC202HD has NO Digital Output, but it works that way, so I am currently happy to at least hear something

anon11595408 · September 27, 2022, 9:54pm

Might I say this, complexity of options tends to not only confuse humans!

Trying to find the needle in the haystack, I’d start disabling all the things I don’t absolutely need, up to the point of later re-installing things to be found out as needful after testing and researching.

Good luck with your endeavour!