[PlanetCCRMA] introductory question. . . .

[Fernando Lopez-Lezcano]

On Sat, 2006-06-24 at 17:14 -0600, Brian Heinrich wrote:
> On 06/24/2006 02:16 PM (-0600 UTC), Fernando Lopez-Lezcano wrote:
> 
> > Hmmm, ignore my previous answer for now and read on (although the
> > dependency problem should be fixed):
> >   
> 
> I was finally able to get the machine on-line and used the RPM repository.
> 
> > On Fri, 2006-06-23 at 18:20 -0600, Brian Heinrich wrote:
> >   
> >> I've managed to make progress since getting the computer on-line, but 
> >> still have some questions/concerns.
> >>
> >> I looked into modprobe.conf, which read:
> >>
> >>     alias eth0 8139too
> >>     install snd-via82xx /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-via82xx &&
> >>     /usr/sbin/alsactl restore >/dev/null 2>&1 ||
> >>     alias snd-card-1 snd-ice7112
> >>     install snd-ice1712 /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-ice1712 &&
> >>     /usr/sbin/alsactl restore >/dev/null 2>&1 ||
> >>     remove snd-ice1712 { /usr/sbin/alsactl store >/dev/null 2>&1 || : ;
> >>     }; /sbin/modprobe -r --ignore-remove snd-ice1712
> >>     alias usb-controller uhci-hcd
> >>     
> >
> > Looks good. 
> >
> > But you should notice that your ice1712 card is the _second_ card. You
> > will have to point whatever app you want to use to it (usually
> > everything defaults to the first soundcard which is in your mobo in this
> > case).
> >   
> 
> I will need bear that in mind -- altho' there's some weirdness in all of 
> this 'cos at one point I removed the on-board sound in kudzu. . . .
> 
> <snip />
> 
> >> When I ran alsamixer, I got the same error as before --
> >>
> >>     alsamixer: function snd_ctl_open failed for default: No such file or
> >>     directory
> >>     
> >
> > No, this error is different, see below.
> > Also, you should run "alsamixer -c 1" to access the second card.
> >   
> 
> "alsamixer -c 1" results in
> 
>     alsamixer: function snd_ctl_open failed for hw:1: No such file or directory
> 
> 
> "alsamixer -c 0", however, did launch alsamixer, presumably 'cos I 
> removed the on-board sound in kudzu. . . .
> 
> >> -- , but I was able to run envy24control.
> >>     
> >
> > Then the soundcard kernel module is loaded and alsa is running. 
> > You may have a device problem, so first check the basics:
> >
> > Is alsa started?
> >   cat /proc/asound/cards
> > that should list your mobo card and the envy24control card
> >   
> 
> Actually, just the envy24control -- I'm assuming (again) 'cos I removed 
> the on-board card thro' kudzu.  I wonder if perhaps that isn't part of 
> the problem . . . .
> 
> Anyway:
> 
>     0 [M1010LT          ]: ICE1712 - M Audio Delta 1010LT
>                           M Audio Delta 1010LT at 0xc800, irq 5
> 
> 
> > which should have devices for both cards:
> >   cat /proc/asound/devices
> >   
> 
>      8: [0- 0]: raw midi
>     16: [0- 0]: digital audio playback
>     24: [0- 0]: digital audio capture
>      0: [0- 0]: ctl
>     33:       : timer
> 
> 
> > What do you see in /dev/snd/?
> >   ls -l /dev/snd/*
> >   
> 
>     crw-------  1 user root 116,  0 June 24 08:13 /dev/snd/controlC0
>     crw-------  1 user root 116,  8 June 24 08:13 /dev/snd/midiC0D0
>     crw-------  1 user root 116, 24 June 24 08:13 /dev/snd/pcmC0D0c
>     crw-------  1 user root 116, 16 June 24 08:13 /dev/snd/pcmC0D0p
>     crw-------  1 user root 116, 33 June 24 08:13 /dev/snd/timer
> 
> 
> >> There's one other interesting thing in all of this:  I can't adjust the 
> >> (system) volume control.  Or more to the point, I can move the slider, 
> >> but it always returns to zero.  That might explain why I can't get any 
> >> sound. :-P
> >>     
> >
> > Not necesarily. The generic "volume control" app will not find any
> > "generic" control in your envy24control based card. If envy24control
> > sees it then you should be fine - I imagine you set the output analog
> > volume controls in envy24control, right?
> >   
> 
> Yes, altho' I'm not quite sure of how to use it; it's a bit different 
> from the comparable control panel in Windows.  I'm assuming that DAC 0 . 
> . . 7 refers to analogue outputs and ADC 0 . . . 7 refers to analogue 
> inputs, but I have no idea what IPGA [0 . . . 7] means, nor its relation 
> to ADC.
> 
> Unfortunately, I still don't have sound.  If I open Audio Player and try 
> to play a CD, I get an alert:
> 
>     Please check that:
> 
>     Your soundcard is configured properly
>     You have the correct plugin sleected
>     No other program is blocking the soundcard
> 
> 
> The selected output plug-in is ALSA 1.2.10 out plugin {libALSA.so].  
> When I go to configure it, it's set at the default PCM device, but even 
> if I change it to M Audio Delta 1010LT: ICE1712 multi (hw:0, 0), I still 
> get the same alert.
> 
> Needless to say, it's immensely frustrating to come this far and not be 
> able to do anything 'cos I have no sound. . . .

I think you probably do have sound working, you are just testing it with
the wrong tool (there's many things that could be wrong with "just
playing a cd"). 

Try something like:
- start qjackctl, set reasonable preferences, start jackd
- start hydrogen, select a demo song, press play
- make sure in qjackctl patchbay that the audio is connected. 

Most probably you will hear the demo song...
(start envy24control and watch the vu meters)
-- Fernando