Surround Sound in Ubuntu Karmic Koala

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zamrg

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I can't seem to get my surround sound working on Ubuntu Karmic Koala - had the same problem with Hardy and Jaunty but managed to fix it by disabling pulseaudio and using alsa directly (http://idyllictux.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/ubuntu-904-jaunty-keeping-the-beast-pulseaudio-at-bay/). I'm a little reluctant to do this again and I'm hoping there's a simple solution with Karmic Koala. I've tried a whole bunch of suggested solutions but I now don't have a clue what to do.

At first I had no sound, but google lead me to Sound Preferences -> Hardware -> Profile from which I changed 'Analog Stereo Output' to 'Digital Stereo Duplex (IEC958)', after which I managed to get stereo working.

lspci -v
Code: 
03:00.0 Multimedia audio controller: Creative Labs SB0400 Audigy2 Value
	Subsystem: Creative Labs Device 1021
	Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 32, IRQ 20
	I/O ports at d000 [size=64]
	Capabilities: <access denied>
	Kernel driver in use: EMU10K1_Audigy
	Kernel modules: snd-emu10k1

aplay -L
Code: 
front:CARD=Audigy2,DEV=0
    SB Audigy 4 [SB0610], ADC Capture/Standard PCM Playback
    Front speakers
rear:CARD=Audigy2,DEV=0
    SB Audigy 4 [SB0610], ADC Capture/Standard PCM Playback
    Rear speakers
center_lfe:CARD=Audigy2,DEV=0
    SB Audigy 4 [SB0610], ADC Capture/Standard PCM Playback
    Center and Subwoofer speakers
side:CARD=Audigy2,DEV=0
    SB Audigy 4 [SB0610], ADC Capture/Standard PCM Playback
    Side speakers
surround40:CARD=Audigy2,DEV=0
    SB Audigy 4 [SB0610], ADC Capture/Standard PCM Playback
    4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers
surround41:CARD=Audigy2,DEV=0
    SB Audigy 4 [SB0610], ADC Capture/Standard PCM Playback
    4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
surround50:CARD=Audigy2,DEV=0
    SB Audigy 4 [SB0610], ADC Capture/Standard PCM Playback
    5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers
surround51:CARD=Audigy2,DEV=0
    SB Audigy 4 [SB0610], ADC Capture/Standard PCM Playback
    5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
surround71:CARD=Audigy2,DEV=0
    SB Audigy 4 [SB0610], ADC Capture/Standard PCM Playback
    7.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Side, Rear and Woofer speakers
iec958:CARD=Audigy2,DEV=0
    SB Audigy 4 [SB0610], ADC Capture/Standard PCM Playback
    IEC958 (S/PDIF) Digital Audio Output
null
    Discard all samples (playback) or generate zero samples (capture)
pulse
    Playback/recording through the PulseAudio sound server

I have edited my /etc/pulse/daemon.conf and uncommented 'default-sample-channels = 8'

I've also set up a .asoundrc in my home directory which looks like:

Code: 
pcm.!dmix {
   type plug
   slave {
   pcm surround71
   channels 8
}

}
pcm.!default {
   type plug
   slave.pcm "dmix"
   slave.channels 8
   route_policy duplicate
}

I'm also getting a whole bunch of errors in my user.log, although I have no idea what they mean.

Code: 
Oct 31 22:32:12 zephyr pulseaudio[1956]: alsa-util.c: Unable to set sw params: No such device
Oct 31 22:32:12 zephyr pulseaudio[1956]: alsa-sink.c: Failed to set software parameters: No such device
Oct 31 22:39:02 zephyr pulseaudio[2707]: alsa-util.c: Unable to set sw params: No such device
Oct 31 22:39:02 zephyr pulseaudio[2707]: alsa-sink.c: Failed to set software parameters: No such device
Oct 31 22:39:08 zephyr pulseaudio[2845]: pid.c: Stale PID file, overwriting.
Oct 31 22:39:08 zephyr pulseaudio[2845]: module-alsa-card.c: Failed to find a working profile.
Oct 31 22:39:08 zephyr pulseaudio[2845]: module.c: Failed to load  module "module-alsa-card" (argument: "device_id="0" name="pci-0000_03_00.0" card_name="alsa_card.pci-0000_03_00.0" tsched=yes ignore_dB=no card_properties="module-udev-detect.discovered=1""): initialization failed.
Oct 31 22:40:46 zephyr pulseaudio[2033]: alsa-util.c: Unable to set sw params: No such device
Oct 31 22:40:46 zephyr pulseaudio[2033]: alsa-sink.c: Failed to set software parameters: No such device
Oct 31 22:40:59 zephyr pulseaudio[2211]: module-alsa-card.c: Failed to find a working profile.
Oct 31 22:40:59 zephyr pulseaudio[2211]: module.c: Failed to load  module "module-alsa-card" (argument: "device_id="0" name="pci-0000_03_00.0" card_name="alsa_card.pci-0000_03_00.0" tsched=yes ignore_dB=no card_properties="module-udev-detect.discovered=1""): initialization failed.
Oct 31 22:42:21 zephyr pulseaudio[2555]: alsa-util.c: Unable to set sw params: No such device
Oct 31 22:42:21 zephyr pulseaudio[2555]: alsa-sink.c: Failed to set software parameters: No such device
Oct 31 22:42:26 zephyr pulseaudio[2641]: pid.c: Stale PID file, overwriting.
Oct 31 22:42:57 zephyr pulseaudio[2641]: alsa-util.c: Unable to set sw params: No such device
Oct 31 22:42:57 zephyr pulseaudio[2641]: alsa-sink.c: Failed to set software parameters: No such device
Oct 31 22:44:44 zephyr pulseaudio[2102]: alsa-util.c: Unable to set sw params: No such device
Oct 31 22:44:44 zephyr pulseaudio[2102]: alsa-sink.c: Failed to set software parameters: No such device

I'm hoping someone's had a similar problem or may be able to help me - @#%@ out of luck this time.
 
Last edited:
thanks MyWorld :)

I forgot to update this post when I solved it myself in that linked post. It does appear to be a bug but selecting 'Analog Surround 5.1 Output' instead of 'Digital Stereo Duplex (IEC95)' or 'Analog Surround 7.1 Output' seems to do the trick.
 
Well for one, using Digital Stereo Duplex (IEC958) would suggest stereo only. You probably want to change that to another profile...

Are you using SPDIF ie. digital output?
 
Tinuva said:
Well for one, using Digital Stereo Duplex (IEC958) would suggest stereo only.
Click to expand...

Yeah I think the source will need to be surrond when using the digital setting, I have a decoder box so it will detect surround or I can use dolby pro logic so my surround works fine.
 
Oh wait I see your problem, exact same as mine:

Creative Labs SB0400 Audigy2 Value

The worst product ever made by Creative. I hate my card and gone back to onboard - and that was just from the problems I had in Windows never mind Linux.
 
Hope y'all don't mind if I jump in here but regarding sound issues on Karmic.

All my speakers seem to work just fine on 5.1 setting but the sound itself is stuttering timeously. Like every half second it goes on/off/on/off even during the startup sounds as well as the music coupled with an occasional skip or jump if that makes any sense. Don't have any issue with Windows though. Strangely if I change it to 7.1 there is no more stutter but sound quality drops and music will skip a short spell like every minute or two. All other settings available besides standard stereo either don't work or stutter like the 5.1 but I have a 5.1 speaker setup and would like it to play properly.

Any ideas what the cause may be? Should I try changing to ALSA (I'm assuming it is on Pulse by default now?)? If I can remember how to do that :p I have a few odds and ends of Linux experience but always have to revert to forums for all the odd issues I have. I will only get a chance to experiment tonight after work and gym so might only reply then :)

Oh btw it is the onboard sound on the ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe board. Realtek ALC850, 8-channel CODEC with Audio Sensing and Enumeration Technology
 
Last edited:
Tinuva said:
Well for one, using Digital Stereo Duplex (IEC958) would suggest stereo only. You probably want to change that to another profile...

Are you using SPDIF ie. digital output?
Click to expand...

forgive my noobness, not entirely sure of the difference between analogue/SPDIF but I guess I'm using analogue. I don't have an external decoder so the sound card handles this internally.

Selecting Analog Surround 5.1 Output instead of Analog Surround 7.1 Output seems to have done the trick though. If I select Analog Surround 7.1 Output, my volume control shows my output controller as 'Dummy Output'.

cbrunsdonza said:
Oh wait I see your problem, exact same as mine:

Creative Labs SB0400 Audigy2 Value

The worst product ever made by Creative. I hate my card and gone back to onboard - and that was just from the problems I had in Windows never mind Linux.
Click to expand...

This soundcard has brought me endless problems with every distro of Ubuntu. In previous versions, I've had to either mute/umute specific controls to get sound or disable pulseaudio directly and switch everything over to ALSA.

Jonny Two Shoes said:
Hope y'all don't mind if I jump in here but regarding sound issues on Karmic.

All my speakers seem to work just fine on 5.1 setting but the sound itself is stuttering timeously. Like every half second it goes on/off/on/off even during the startup sounds as well as the music coupled with an occasional skip or jump if that makes any sense. Don't have any issue with Windows though. Strangely if I change it to 7.1 there is no more stutter but sound quality drops and music will skip a short spell like every minute or two. All other settings available besides standard stereo either don't work or stutter like the 5.1 but I have a 5.1 speaker setup and would like it to play properly.

Any ideas what the cause may be? Should I try changing to ALSA (I'm assuming it is on Pulse by default now?)? If I can remember how to do that :p I have a few odds and ends of Linux experience but always have to revert to forums for all the odd issues I have. I will only get a chance to experiment tonight after work and gym so might only reply then :)

Oh btw it is the onboard sound on the ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe board. Realtek ALC850, 8-channel CODEC with Audio Sensing and Enumeration Technology
Click to expand...

I think I came across a couple posts regarding 'stuttering' sound. I don't have the links on me but best bet would be to search the Ubuntu Multimedia & Video Forum -> http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=334
 
I've somehow landed up without sound again. If I switch from 'Analog Surround 5.1 Output' to 'Digital Stereo Duplex (IEC958)' it works, but then I get no surround sound.
 
This from Ubuntu Forums:

Re: Getting 5.1 sound to work
Have you edited your /etc/pulse/daemon.conf file?

If you haven't, enter this in your terminal:

sudo nano /etc/pulse/daemon.conf

Find and uncomment line:
default-sample-channels
and change value from 2 to the number of speakers you have.
Click to expand...

It worked for me, on an Audigy 2 ZS card. However, that was in Jaunty, haven't installed Karmic at home yet.

B
 
Bismuth said:
This from Ubuntu Forums:



It worked for me, on an Audigy 2 ZS card. However, that was in Jaunty, haven't installed Karmic at home yet.

B
Click to expand...

ye, I did do this as in the OP but changing the daemon.conf alone isn't enough in Karmic.

Tinuva said:
Must admit, creative based cards are complete fail on linux most of the time.
Click to expand...

I think I'm gonna accept defeat here and just get a new sound card. It's been an ongoing problem with every distro of Ubuntu and I've always had to hack my way out of it - getting quite old :)
 
Tinuva said:
Must admit, creative based cards are complete fail on linux most of the time.
Click to expand...

Before Audigy Value came out it seemed that Creative where the best supported cards - even an old whale (90's ISA card !!!) worked awesome on my old PI when a few years back without a single tweak.

They really screwed it up with the new range.
 
I feel like an idiot - have managed to get sound again :)

It turns out that on every reboot, the control 'Audigy Analog/Digital Output Jack' is muted. I just have to manually unmute it every time I reboot and surround sound comes back.
 
zamrg said:
I feel like an idiot - have managed to get sound again :)

It turns out that on every reboot, the control 'Audigy Analog/Digital Output Jack' is muted. I just have to manually unmute it every time I reboot and surround sound comes back.
Click to expand...

Now that is fixable I think, that is if its a alsa volume knob. I dont have ubuntu but lets say it was alsa. Set it to what you want then use alsactl to save the settings for next boot. Have to do that as root though and as your normal user.

If its pulseaudio then I really dont know.
 
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