LUG: Ubuntu 9.10 audio system - Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:58:44 -0500

Subject : LUG: Ubuntu 9.10 audio system

From : Richard Carter <rwcarter@ncsu.[redacted]>

Date : Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:58:44 -0500

So I've never understood the differences between OSS and ALSA, but now
9.10 throws another one into the mix, PulseAudio (which apparently
sits on top of ALSA?).

My laptop has a small "subwoofer" in it - it makes a very noticeable
difference in sound quality, and I quite like it. In past versions of
Ubuntu, the mixer had Master, PCM, and LFE (low-frequency emitter);
the latter being the subwoofer. Master controls my two normal
speakers' volumes, LFE controls the subwoofer, and PCM acts as a sort
of master between the two. So, I would turn Master and LFM to 100%,
and then hook my volume buttons to the PCM, and everything would be
great.

Now I can only control Master, and my LFE is always set to loud. This
means that only one notch above muted, my main speakers are inaudible
but my LFE speaker is blaring. There's nothing in the volume control
other than left/right balance.

When I run alsamixer -c 0 in terminal, I can see the PCM and the LFE,
but I have no idea how to configure it like I used to, so that volume
up/down buttons control the PCM.

So anyway, with all this said, does anyone know how to allow the new
audio system to see and control my LFE as well as my speakers?

Thanks,
Ricket

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