ALSA - Revision history

DenysNykula: Mention snd-seq required by USB MIDI controllers

2026-03-20T00:03:16Z

Mention snd-seq required by USB MIDI controllers

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:03, 20 March 2026
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	To list all the detected sound cards and their assigned numbers, use the command:{{Cmd\|$ cat /proc/asound/cards}}		To list all the detected sound cards and their assigned numbers, use the command:{{Cmd\|$ cat /proc/asound/cards}}

			=== MIDI ===

			If your USB MIDI controller isn't found by music production applications such as {{pkg\|mixxx}} and {{pkg\|lmms}}, load the ALSA Sequencer kernel module before starting the applications: {{Cmd\|# modprobe snd-seq}}

			You can add {{ic\|snd-seq}} to {{Path\|/etc/modules}} to make it autoload at boot.

	== See also ==		== See also ==

NirLichtman: Add instructions regarding unmuting as part of initial setup

2025-10-17T12:59:15Z

Add instructions regarding unmuting as part of initial setup

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:59, 17 October 2025
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	Find the default sound card.: {{Cmd\|# alsamixer}}		Find the default sound card.: {{Cmd\|# alsamixer}}

	The default sound card will show up. Try turning up the volume of Master and the device(s) such as speakers or microphones that you need, and ~~audio should work~~ ({{Key\|F1}} ~~- help,~~ {{Key\|M}} ~~- toggle mute, ..~~.)		The default sound card will show up. Try turning up the volume of Master and the device(s) such as speakers or microphones that you need, and make sure they are not muted (mute is denoted by MM and can be toggled using the {{Key\|M}} key).
			Audio should now work (you can use the {{Key\|F1}} key to get additional help within alsamixer).

	If there are no volume controls visible, try hitting {{Key\|F6}} on your keyboard and toggling between the sound cards (which all might have the same name in the context menu that pops up except for the numbers next to and before the names).		If there are no volume controls visible, try hitting {{Key\|F6}} on your keyboard and toggling between the sound cards (which all might have the same name in the context menu that pops up except for the numbers next to and before the names).

Prabuanand: rewrote for consistency

2025-08-21T16:59:04Z

rewrote for consistency

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:59, 21 August 2025
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	}}		}}

	The {{Path\|~~$HOME~~/.asoundrc}} file installed in a user's home directory is called from {{Path\|/usr/share/alsa/alsa.conf}}. It is also possible to install the above in a system-wide configuration file as {{Path\|/etc/asound.conf}}. When an ALSA application starts both configuration files are read but the settings in the {{Path\|~/.asoundrc}} file override the settings in the {{Path\|/etc/asound.conf}} settings.		The {{Path\|~/.asoundrc}} file installed in a user's home directory($HOME) is called from {{Path\|/usr/share/alsa/alsa.conf}}. It is also possible to install the above in a system-wide configuration file as {{Path\|/etc/asound.conf}}. When an ALSA application starts both configuration files are read but the settings in the {{Path\|~/.asoundrc}} file override the settings in the {{Path\|/etc/asound.conf}} settings.

	Most programs require a restart to reread {{Path\|~~$HOME~~/.asoundrc}} or {{Path\|/etc/asound.conf}}. This includes desktop environment audio daemons, such as [[PulseAudio]]. For most changes, you will need to restart the sound server.		Most programs require a restart to reread {{Path\|~/.asoundrc}} or {{Path\|/etc/asound.conf}}. This includes desktop environment audio daemons, such as [[PulseAudio]]. For most changes, you will need to restart the sound server.

	Try turning up the volume of Master and the device(s) such as speakers or microphones that you need with the <code>alsamixer</code> command, and audio should work.		Try turning up the volume of Master and the device(s) such as speakers or microphones that you need with the <code>alsamixer</code> command, and audio should work.

Prabuanand: modified instructions based on comment from quinq and @ikke in #alpine-linux IRC on 2025-08-21 10:01:17

2025-08-21T16:52:48Z

modified instructions based on comment from quinq and @ikke in #alpine-linux IRC on 2025-08-21 10:01:17

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:52, 21 August 2025
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	[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Linux_Sound_Architecture Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA)] provides audio and MIDI functionality to the Linux operating system. As part of the Linux kernel, it provides an application programming interface (API) for sound card device drivers.		[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Linux_Sound_Architecture Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA)] provides audio and MIDI functionality to the Linux operating system. As part of the Linux kernel, it provides an application programming interface (API) for sound card device drivers.

	== ~~Install~~ ==		== Installation ==

	First you will need to install the Alsa packages, Linux sound driver and volume adjuster: {{Cmd\|# apk add {{pkg\|alsa-utils}} {{pkg\|alsaconf}}}}		First you will need to install the Alsa packages, Linux sound driver and volume adjuster: {{Cmd\|# apk add {{pkg\|alsa-utils}} {{pkg\|alsaconf}}}}

	== ~~Setup~~ ==		== Configuration ==

	Then you will need to add all your users (including root) to the <code>audio</code> group.		Then you will need to add all your users (including root) to the <code>audio</code> group.
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	Once you've found the sound card name that gives you volume controls, set the unique number that showed up in the {{Key\|F6}} context menu as your default soundcard.		Once you've found the sound card name that gives you volume controls, set the unique number that showed up in the {{Key\|F6}} context menu as your default soundcard.

	{{~~Cmd~~\|~~# nano /usr/share/alsa/alsa.conf~~}}		Put the number (you found in the {{Key\|F6}} context menu of the alsamixer command for the soundcard you want as your default) at the end of below lines separated by a space for each. For example, if the default sound card you want is "1".

	~~Scroll down until you find the lines that start with <code>defaults.ctl.card</code> and <code>defaults.pcm.card</code> and put the number (you found in~~ the {{~~Key~~\|F6}} ~~context menu of the alsamixer command for the soundcard you want~~ as ~~your default) at the end of those lines separated by a space for each. For example, if the default sound card you want is "1".~~		Use your favourite editor to edit the {{Path\|~/.asoundrc}} file as follows:{{Cat\|~/.asoundrc\|defaults.ctl.card 1

	{{Cat\|/~~usr/share/alsa/alsa~~.~~conf~~\|~~...~~
	defaults.ctl.card 1
	defaults.pcm.card 1		defaults.pcm.card 1
	~~...~~
	}}		}}

	~~Save your nano work by pressing~~ {{~~Key~~\|~~Ctrl~~}}+{{~~Key~~\|O}} ~~and confirm~~ the ~~changes by pressing~~ {{~~Key~~\|~~Enter~~}}. ~~Then exit nano by pressing~~ {{~~Key~~\|~~Ctrl~~}}+{{~~Key~~\|X}}.		The {{Path\|$HOME/.asoundrc}} file installed in a user's home directory is called from {{Path\|/usr/share/alsa/alsa.conf}}. It is also possible to install the above in a system-wide configuration file as {{Path\|/etc/asound.conf}}. When an ALSA application starts both configuration files are read but the settings in the {{Path\|~/.asoundrc}} file override the settings in the {{Path\|/etc/asound.conf}} settings.

			Most programs require a restart to reread {{Path\|$HOME/.asoundrc}} or {{Path\|/etc/asound.conf}}. This includes desktop environment audio daemons, such as [[PulseAudio]]. For most changes, you will need to restart the sound server.

	Try turning up the volume of Master and the device(s) such as speakers or microphones that you need with the <code>alsamixer</code> command, and audio should work.		Try turning up the volume of Master and the device(s) such as speakers or microphones that you need with the <code>alsamixer</code> command, and audio should work.

	~~Alsa~~ service is ~~not~~ started ~~on install, you need to~~ start ~~it and to add it on~~ [[OpenRC]].		Gstreamer can now catch the device once the [[#Service management\|service is started]] and the audio mixer will be working.
	{{Cmd\|rc-service alsa start
	rc-update add alsa		=== Service management ===
	}}
			Use standard start\|stop\|restart [[OpenRC]] commands to manage {{ic\|alsa}} service.
			Note that {{ic\|alsa}} service is not started on install. To start, issue the command:{{Cmd\|# rc-service alsa start}}
			To enable the Alsa user service, issue the command:{{Cmd\|# rc-update add alsa}}

			== Troubleshooting ==

	~~Gstreamer can now catch~~ the ~~device~~ and the ~~audio mixer is working.~~		To list all the detected sound cards and their assigned numbers, use the command:{{Cmd\|$ cat /proc/asound/cards}}

	== See also ==		== See also ==

	* [https://www.alsa-project.org/wiki/Main_Page Official website]		* [https://www.alsa-project.org/wiki/Main_Page Official website]
			* [https://alsa.opensrc.org/ Unofficial alsa wiki]
	* [[Sound_Setup\|Main page for Sound Setup]]		* [[Sound_Setup\|Main page for Sound Setup]]

	[[Category:Sound]]		[[Category:Sound]]
	[[Category:Drivers]]		[[Category:Drivers]]

Prabuanand: added introduction paragraph and link to homepage

2025-05-25T16:57:23Z

added introduction paragraph and link to homepage

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:57, 25 May 2025
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			[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Linux_Sound_Architecture Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA)] provides audio and MIDI functionality to the Linux operating system. As part of the Linux kernel, it provides an application programming interface (API) for sound card device drivers.

	== Install ==		== Install ==

	First you will need to install the Alsa packages, Linux sound driver and volume adjuster.		First you will need to install the Alsa packages, Linux sound driver and volume adjuster: {{Cmd\|# apk add {{pkg\|alsa-utils}} {{pkg\|alsaconf}}}}

	{{Cmd\|# apk add {{pkg\|alsa-utils}} {{pkg\|alsaconf}}}}

	== Setup ==		== Setup ==
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	</nowiki>}}		</nowiki>}}

	Find the default sound card.		Find the default sound card.: {{Cmd\|# alsamixer}}

	{{Cmd\|# alsamixer}}

	The default sound card will show up. Try turning up the volume of Master and the device(s) such as speakers or microphones that you need, and audio should work ({{Key\|F1}} - help, {{Key\|M}} - toggle mute, ...)		The default sound card will show up. Try turning up the volume of Master and the device(s) such as speakers or microphones that you need, and audio should work ({{Key\|F1}} - help, {{Key\|M}} - toggle mute, ...)
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	Gstreamer can now catch the device and the audio mixer is working.		Gstreamer can now catch the device and the audio mixer is working.

			== See also ==

			* [https://www.alsa-project.org/wiki/Main_Page Official website]
			* [[Sound_Setup\|Main page for Sound Setup]]

	[[Category:Sound]]		[[Category:Sound]]
	[[Category:Drivers]]		[[Category:Drivers]]

Prabuanand: removed categories as per Help_talk:Style

2025-05-25T15:34:12Z

removed categories as per Help_talk:Style

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:34, 25 May 2025
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	Gstreamer can now catch the device and the audio mixer is working.		Gstreamer can now catch the device and the audio mixer is working.

	~~[[Category:Desktop]]~~
	~~[[Category:Multimedia]]~~
	[[Category:Sound]]		[[Category:Sound]]
	[[Category:Drivers]]		[[Category:Drivers]]
	~~[[Category:Hardware]]~~

Prabuanand: removed :Category:Installation

2025-05-10T15:41:37Z

removed Category:Installation

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:41, 10 May 2025
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	Gstreamer can now catch the device and the audio mixer is working.		Gstreamer can now catch the device and the audio mixer is working.

	~~[[Category:Installation]]~~
	[[Category:Desktop]]		[[Category:Desktop]]
	[[Category:Multimedia]]		[[Category:Multimedia]]

Andar1an: Remove added troubleshooting section, the recommendation doesn't work consistently.

2024-10-29T21:58:59Z

Remove added troubleshooting section, the recommendation doesn't work consistently.

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:58, 29 October 2024
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	Gstreamer can now catch the device and the audio mixer is working.		Gstreamer can now catch the device and the audio mixer is working.

	~~== Troubleshooting ==~~

	If you are experiencing a warning when alsa service is starting that states <code>alsactl does not have an option '-' </code> while attempting to restore state, it can be simply remedied by setting the alsactl_opts variable in /etc/conf.d/alsa.
	For example: <code>alsactl_opts="-F"</code>. -F is the default option --force, and tries to restore the matching control elements as much as possible. As it is default, it won't change anything, but will remove the boot warning.


	[[Category:Installation]]		[[Category:Installation]]

Andar1an: add option, as empty string doesn't always work for troubleshooting warning about alsactl_opts.

2024-10-29T18:46:31Z

add option, as empty string doesn't always work for troubleshooting warning about alsactl_opts.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:46, 29 October 2024
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	If you are experiencing a warning when alsa service is starting that states <code>alsactl does not have an option '-' </code> while attempting to restore state, it can be simply remedied by setting the alsactl_opts variable in /etc/conf.d/alsa.		If you are experiencing a warning when alsa service is starting that states <code>alsactl does not have an option '-' </code> while attempting to restore state, it can be simply remedied by setting the alsactl_opts variable in /etc/conf.d/alsa.
	For example: <code>alsactl_opts=""</code>		For example: <code>alsactl_opts="-F"</code>. -F is the default option --force, and tries to restore the matching control elements as much as possible. As it is default, it won't change anything, but will remove the boot warning.

Andar1an: correct typo for config file reference in troubleshooting

2024-10-29T18:35:10Z

correct typo for config file reference in troubleshooting

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:35, 29 October 2024
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	== Troubleshooting ==		== Troubleshooting ==

	If you are experiencing a warning when alsa service is starting that states <code>alsactl does not have an option '-' </code> while attempting to restore state, it can be simply remedied by setting the alsactl_opts variable in /etc/~~init~~.d/alsa.		If you are experiencing a warning when alsa service is starting that states <code>alsactl does not have an option '-' </code> while attempting to restore state, it can be simply remedied by setting the alsactl_opts variable in /etc/conf.d/alsa.
	For example: <code>alsactl_opts=""</code>		For example: <code>alsactl_opts=""</code>

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:59, 17 October 2025
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	Find the default sound card.: {{Cmd\|# alsamixer}}		Find the default sound card.: {{Cmd\|# alsamixer}}

	The default sound card will show up. Try turning up the volume of Master and the device(s) such as speakers or microphones that you need, and ~~audio should work~~ ({{Key\|F1}} ~~- help,~~ {{Key\|M}} ~~- toggle mute, ..~~.)		The default sound card will show up. Try turning up the volume of Master and the device(s) such as speakers or microphones that you need, and make sure they are not muted (mute is denoted by MM and can be toggled using the {{Key\|M}} key).
			Audio should now work (you can use the {{Key\|F1}} key to get additional help within alsamixer).

	If there are no volume controls visible, try hitting {{Key\|F6}} on your keyboard and toggling between the sound cards (which all might have the same name in the context menu that pops up except for the numbers next to and before the names).		If there are no volume controls visible, try hitting {{Key\|F6}} on your keyboard and toggling between the sound cards (which all might have the same name in the context menu that pops up except for the numbers next to and before the names).