[STICKY] Pulse Audio How-To (Skype How-To, see 3rd post)

Hi all,

I recommend that for the best sound playback; you use "Pulse Audio Manager", it has a good number of settings which under normal circumstances will give you excellent sound support.

Install the packages:

libsox-fmt-all

and:

paman

You might want to check that the package "sox" is also installed just to be on the safe side!!. (You can look in Synaptic but it should already be installed! and if it isn't, install it, it is very important!)

You will find the Pulse Audio Manager once it is installed; under Sound and Video in the main apps menu.

You can install both packages either via Synaptic or using the terminal with the command:

Code:

sudo apt-get install libsox-fmt-all paman

You may also want to install the packages "alsa-firmware-loaders". (Not really sure if this is necessary, more about Alsa below!!)

Code:

sudo apt-get alsa-firmware-loaders

Use Paman in conjunction with the normal sound manager and check that your microphone is set to high!!!!.

Important settings are the input/output sections:

Skype users see 3rd post in this thread as this contains info about the microphone not working!!.

I also recommend installing the following packages if they are not already installed using the terminal command:

Code:

sudo apt-get install faac flac

Here is a meta terminal command (Ctrl + Alt + t) for almost all codecs:

Code:

sudo apt-get install libav-tools flac faac faad sox ffmpeg2theora libmpeg2-4 uudeview mpeg3-utils mpegdemux liba52-dev mpeg2dec vorbis-tools id3v2 mpg321 mpg123 libflac++6 icedax lame libmad0 libjpeg-progs ubuntu-restricted-extras gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly gxine libdvdread4 icedax tagtool easytag id3tool lame nautilus-script-audio-convert libmad0 mpg321 libavcodec-extra libxine2-all-plugins

It is important to check "Playback/Input/Output":







To configure the hardware you want, go to "Configuration" and select which type of output device you want to use:



You can also use the sound manager in System Settings > Hardware > Sound:




READ THESE AS WELL, AS THEY HAVE SEVERAL TIPS:

http://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Softwar ... fectSetup/

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PulseAudio


Alsamixer:

if you still have problems, try using the Alsamixer tool, simply type "alsamixer" in a terminal and a window will open, it is keyboard controlled, the commands are listed in the window:

Code:

alsamixer

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Audio/Alsamixer

To install Alsamixer via a terminal:

Code:

sudo apt-get install gnome-alsamixer

If you want the GUI too (be warned, it is very basic!):

Code:

sudo apt-get install alsamixergui

See also:

https://we.riseup.net/refeman+radio/alsa-jack-ardour

http://itsfoss.com/fix-sound-ubuntu-1304-quick-tip/

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SoundTroubleshooting

http://voices.canonical.com/david.henni ... our-audio/

For laptops/Notebooks, see also:

http://askubuntu.com/questions/150887/s ... 959#150959

Regards Wolfman

Is this the best set to have sound & video in Skype? Please, tell me how should I configure the app. Thanks, regards.

Hi,

these are my prefered settings for Skype or any other sound ap. Don't allow Sykpe control of the mixer!!. Go to Sykpe > Options > Sound Devices and take out the tick!!. (Where it states: Allow Skype to automatically adjust my mixer levels!)



For problems with the microphone in Skype, go here and follow the advice, it is very good and worked for me!:

http://howterrorisminindia.blogspot.de/ ... ested.html

ATTENTION ZORIN 8 USERS, SKYPE MAY NOT WORK (THE SOUND) WITH IT, I USE ZORIN 6 WHEN USING SKYPE!.

Try installing this pacakge and see if it helps:

Code:

sudo apt-get install libasound2-plugins:i386

And also run this command:

Code:

Exec=/usr/bin/env PULSE_LATENCY_MSEC=30 /usr/bin/skype

Thank you for all the responses.
I tried them all, but still no sound. I had it working with the 32 bit and switched to the 64 bit ultimate version, that's when I started having problems. I tried installing the 32 bit version again, but still no sound. When I use pulseAudio Volume it shows it indicates that it is sending sound.

In the Sound Setting there is no hardware listed and the output is Dummy Output.

Anymore suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi yamamax,

do us a favour and start your live cd again and see if you have sound, that way we know it is a simple case of the sound not switching on during boot.

Before that, go here and post the command into a terminal and then look in startup applications that the Pulse sound manager is starting with the system:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2406

Regards Wolfman