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Installing/Configuring ALSA Sound Modules In Debian
GonzoJohn writes "Linux Orbit explains how: "A very common question that comes up when trying Debian GNU/Linux is how the heck do you get Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (a.k.a. ALSA) sound modules set up properly? In this HOWTO we'll show you how to compile and install the ALSA kernel modules, and then setup things using the ALSA Debian script so that modules are automatically loaded and unloaded, and your mixer levels are saved and restored on boot up. Here are some things you'll need to have before you start this HOWTO""
I'm also evaluating getting a better audio card, but I've had trouble finding decent documentation, even on the boxes - sure, everything does eight-dimensional 12-in-1 audio output, but what's I'm more interested in is the quality of the A/D converter, so when I input sound from analog media (my old vinyl disks and analog tapes) it doesn't lose more than necessary. Are there chipsets to avoid, or to hunt around for?
Bill Stewart
New Fast-Compression-only CPR http://preview.tinyurl.com/dy575ks
It has killer package management (Portage! -- what other package manager lets you specify compile-time options?)
Dunno if you've heard of it, but there is a package manager called RPM that lets you set compile time options when you are building from source packages.
I don't see why this is flamebait, personally I would mod it up had i any points, the author has a great point, even *after* you have ALSA working you still have to mess around with at least GNOME and KDE's sound servers to get them to cooperate thru ALSA instead of using OSS and recieving an exclusive lock on the sound card. It's really anoying that it takes so long to get things working on debian, however the alternative is something like mandrake that is easy to install but takes years to get anything not on the CD's working. then there is Mac OS X, it works, its stable, but if you want to run non-OS X apps you're back in the same boat of spending lots of time changing code to work.
I can't count the number of tarballs i've compiled that were designed for Linux / FreeBSD and compiled clean under OpenBSD, really there is no OS that is generally easy to use for an advanced user.
My main beefs are:
OS X: Almost nothing will compile.
OpenBSD: Everything needs to be installed from source.
Windows: Security, stability, proprietary protocols.
Linux: Unless you are using debian most things of things need to be compiled from source. If you are using debian its a nightmare to configure.
It all generally boils down to spending alot of time to get basic things working. Once you attain advanced user status its basically a matter of spending lots of time getting everything working no matter what OS you use.
Computing sucks.
Absolutely. You want to be looking at soundcards like the M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 (what I use), or Terraenc's cards. Others like ones from Digital Audio Labs (DAL), or Echo. None of these names are common, but the chipset in common is the Envy24 chipset: easily one of the best out there in terms of S/N ratio, etc.
I would recommend checking out www.pcavtech.com for actual *real* measurements -- you can see how much of the SoundBlasters are merely marketing hype, and how much is real performance.
As for ALSA support: Midiman/M-Audio's soundcards are all well-supported. I haven't any clue about the others: theoretically, if the chipset is the same or very similar, there should be no complaints, but I wouldn't count on anything...
Many of you may be wondering, why ALSA made front page news. There are several reasons:
1. ALSA sound drivers are nearly impossible to install.
2. If you want to turn your Linux box into a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) ala TiVo, then you need the alsa drivers and the stuff from the GATOS project.
(See) http://gatos.sourceforge.net/overview.php
I am glad that someone posted the HOW-TO... Alsa has been a big thorn in my side for awhile now. Maybe now I can get the ALSA-Mixer working properly.
Good Luck, and may your all Linux boxes be PVR's!
Hmm.
Fair call.
Why is it that Debian gets good coverage? Perhaps it's something to do with the fact that it's at the source of the revolution. Transform the way IT services are done. Create a free system. Oh! you mean I pay for support services. Uh, OK, cool.
Suddenly people with lotsa debian needing debian aware dudez. We don't need Microsoft arse-brains anymore. Closed Source is dead.
Hmm. Industry transformed. Excellent!