NAME
mixerctl.conf —
mixerctl configuration file
DESCRIPTION
mixerctl.conf is the configuration file
for mixerctl(1). It allows the user to specify settings for the
audio mixer at system startup. The exact set of variables available are
largely dependent on the audio device driver, and vary from device to
device. The file is made up of variable assignments
(name=value) with comments
designated by a hash mark (‘#’).
Some audio devices have _sense variables which can help identify connectors. The connectors' state will be one of plugged or unplugged, depending on whether a jack is inserted.
The connectors on audio cards are generally as follows:
- pink
- Microphone in. Used to record from a microphone.
- green
- Line out. Used for stereo speakers or headphones.
- blue
- Line in. Used to record from an external source.
- orange
- Speaker out; subwoofer.
- brown
- Speaker out; rear speakers.
- S/PDIF
- Optical connector; TOSLink, RCA, or 1/8" mini stereo.
PLAYBACK
Most devices have a number of digital to analogue converters (DACs), used for sound playback, and each DAC has a corresponding output mixer. The mixers are labelled “mix” or “sel”. Each DAC represents two channels of playback.
Verify that playback works by playing an audio file (see
aucat(1)) or CD (see
cdio(1)). Check that any relevant inputs.* variables are unmuted and
set to a high enough value to permit playback. For example, if playing a CD,
grep(1) for cd variables to adjust. Check also that the variable
governing the general audio level, such as
outputs.master, is set to a sufficiently high
value.
Some cards are capable of multi-channel sound. In some cases _dir
variables detail the direction (input or output) of the various connectors.
Check that the direction of the corresponding connectors is set to
output. Other devices may need to set _source
variables to work correctly. The maximum possible value of the
audioctl(1) variable play.channels shows the
number of channels available.
RECORDING
Most devices have a number of analogue to digital converters (ADCs), used for recording sound, and each ADC has a corresponding input mixer. The mixers are labelled “mix” or “sel”. Each ADC represents two channels of recording.
Connect line in on the audio card to an audio source, such as an amplifier. Many devices have an auxiliary connector (“aux”) available for recording, or a headphone socket could be used.
Check that the variable that determines recording volume, such as
record.volume, is set high enough to provide a high
enough sound level, but not so high as to distort the sound being recorded.
It is also a good idea to mute any record.* variables not being used for
recording. Obviously the recording source itself will have to be
unmuted.
A simple test that recording works may be done using aucat(1) whilst playing back audio from an external source. The example below creates a .wav file of any audio being played. The file can then be played back to determine quality.
$ aucat -o test.wavFILES
- /dev/mixer
- Default audio mixing device.
- /etc/mixerctl.conf
- mixerctl(1) configuration file.