Arch Linux

ivdok

Member

From: Abu Dhabi

Registered: 2013-07-17

Posts: 60

ALSA and/or PulseAudio sudden stutters

Hello!
Recently, I have switched to Arch distribution, and since then, sometimes run into the following issue:
1. Sometimes, not always - audio output becomes, well, let's name it, "filled with gaps" - various blank spaces occur, different by delay and duration.
2. Used ALSA - had stutters. Switched to PA - had a relieve for two days, but that lag started occuring againg. Cleared PA hell out of the OS - I get less stutters, but it's still present.
3. And, in case of Skype, when somebody tries to send me file, it starts to generate "sound crap" - high-pitched sound, which may drive any sane human mad - especially, when it's loud and sudden. The pitch may change it's tone to randomy high or low, but it happened every once and then - so I had to chop it away from auto-load on boot. //Just a piece of info, deleting Pulse helped.

Since ArchWiki told me useless bullshit, thus I ask you - please, tell me, how can I fix this. But I will ask generic questions:
Q: Did you use ArchWiki, if you do, did red it thoughtful?
A: YES! I have even printed it, and used to install Arch.

Q: You should buy new audiocard, rofl
A: Why? It worked well under Xubuntu 13.04 and Ubuntu 12.04 before, and WinServer 2008 R2 before, and WinXP SP2 before.

Q: Why you haven't attached lspci?
A: Here it is!

Q: Wow, that's too big of a data!
A: 1. I know, that's why it's on Pastebin.
2. I use only ports from backside - frontside ports genereate some kind of noise.
3. Please, disregard Radeon HD - I have no SPDIF/HDMI/IEEE1394 devices. Only Analog, only hardcore.

Q: Any suspects?
A: 1. Configs - since under Xubuntu, as I said, it worked fine.
2. Builded by Arch Community - wery doubtful, but I can't remove this suspect - maybe it's truth, and I must recompile?
3. CPU throttling? My onboard audio, as you know, uses CPU resource instead of it's own preprocessor, and maybe Linux thoughts, what "Unused mHz == Wasted mHz", just like with the RAM?

Long story short - I'm confused. And while games are still playable, music and SD video work, I may consider to remove Arch away, because I feel kidnapped, when my PC doesn't run at full capabilities. That's why I choose Arch for now, but can you help me to gain some experience with it? Thank you.

Last edited by ivdok (2013-07-19 22:27:37)

brebs

Member

Registered: 2007-04-03

Posts: 3,742

Re: ALSA and/or PulseAudio sudden stutters

Useful debugging info:

wget -O alsa-info.sh http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-info.sh
bash alsa-info.sh --upload

Then show us the URL that the script shows at the end.

ivdok

Member

From: Abu Dhabi

Registered: 2013-07-17

Posts: 60

Re: ALSA and/or PulseAudio sudden stutters

Useful debugging info:

wget -O alsa-info.sh http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-info.sh
bash alsa-info.sh --upload

Then show us the URL that the script shows at the end.

That's it.

brebs

Member

Registered: 2007-04-03

Posts: 3,742

Re: ALSA and/or PulseAudio sudden stutters

buffer_size 2052

That's far too small, and also bizarre. I believe it's best to be e.g. 2048, 4096, 8192, 16384.

I recommend 8192 and 16384. And also *set* the period_size, rather than leaving it to an app to choose. See config in my sig.

ivdok

Member

From: Abu Dhabi

Registered: 2013-07-17

Posts: 60

Re: ALSA and/or PulseAudio sudden stutters

buffer_size 2052

That's far too small, and also bizarre. I believe it's best to be e.g. 2048, 4096, 8192, 16384.
I recommend 8192 and 16384. And also *set* the period_size, rather than leaving it to an app to choose. See config in my sig.

I made these changes after posting here. Nothing changed so far, so I think I will try your config. Thanks. I will reply back with experience.

ivdok

Member

From: Abu Dhabi

Registered: 2013-07-17

Posts: 60

Re: ALSA and/or PulseAudio sudden stutters

I've run into problems with config at your signature - some of the comments are not in fact "commented", but look like that - resulting in startup errors.

UPD: Aw, screw it - I always run into this, both with intact config and modified:

[ivdok@ivdok ~]$ alsamixer
ALSA lib conf.c:1686:(snd_config_load1) _toplevel_:60:35:Unexpected char
ALSA lib conf.c:3406:(config_file_open) /home/ivdok/.asoundrc may be old or corrupted: consider to remove or fix it
ALSA lib conf.c:3328:(snd_config_hooks_call) function snd_config_hook_load returned error: Invalid argument
ALSA lib conf.c:3777:(snd_config_update_r) hooks failed, removing configuration 
cannot open mixer: Invalid argument

Last edited by ivdok (2013-07-20 05:46:17)