[SOLVED] unmute volume (and other volume controls) after fresh install

gcoelho · 2021-06-11 11:25:14

hey there,

I have been using arch for but a week (and a linux user for but 3), so do realise this is most probably a newbie question. thankfully I'm in the right corner.

since the install, I haven't been able to hear any sound, from the built-in speakers of my machine (mid-2014 Macbook Pro). I have also tried to use my headphones through their jack connector, no luck there either.

I'm assuming I have to install or configure something I'm missing... could anyone point me to the right direction?

thanks, some help is greatly appreciated :)

Last edited by gcoelho (2021-06-11 14:57:44)

Khere · 2021-06-11 11:38:15

Have you installed pulseaudio ?

sudo pacman -Q pulseaudio

If the command has no output do this :

sudo pacman -S pulseaudio

If the problem persist after checking if pulseaudio is installed or after installing it try this:

alsamixer -c 0

I think it's not a driver problem because the drivers are likely to be installed because ALSA, that provide to install drivers is present by default.

Last edited by Khere (2021-06-11 11:40:40)

gcoelho · 2021-06-11 12:07:53

I have installed pulseaudio, but there appears to be a problem with the `main.c`.

Here's the command output:

```
sudo pacman -S papirus-icon-theme
```

I don't have the alsamixer AUR installed, it is an audio utility right? Which of its package I should install? There seems to be many options (gnome, mopidy, etc)

EDIT: it seems like markdown is not supported in this forum? Can you just point me quickly to a guide related to this also (sorry if it's out of topic)

Last edited by gcoelho (2021-06-11 12:09:30)

2ManyDogs · 2021-06-11 12:11:58

gcoelho wrote:

EDIT: it seems like markdown is not supported in this forum? Can you just point me quickly to a guide related to this also (sorry if it's out of topic)

Use bbcode. See the link below the 'Post a reply' box: https://bbs.archlinux.org/help.php#bbcode

V1del · 2021-06-11 12:16:14

There's a BBCode reference link under every posting box for how to do formatting here.

Is this an actual Arch install or still an Arcolinux setup? If this is actually Arcolinux you need to ask your question on their support channels.

That said all the relevant ALSA tools are part of the alsa-utils package, post

aplay -lL
sudo fuser -v /dev/snd/*
pacmd list-cards
pacmd list-sinks

Last edited by V1del (2021-06-11 12:16:58)

gcoelho · 2021-06-11 12:53:09

Thanks V1del, it looks like I might have found a solution in the ALSA page on the wiki, specifically here. Yet I believe I might be doing something wrong, since amixer sset Speaker or Headphone or Master give me all the same error:

amixer: Unable to find simple control 'Speaker or Headphone or Master',0

The "or"s were added by me, for it gives me three errors, one for each command.

If I run the command V1del suggested, I receive the following outputs:

$ aplay -lL
null
    Discard all samples (playback) or generate zero samples (capture)
hdmi:CARD=HDMI,DEV=0
    HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 0
    HDMI Audio Output
hdmi:CARD=HDMI,DEV=1
    HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 1
    HDMI Audio Output
hdmi:CARD=HDMI,DEV=2
    HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 2
    HDMI Audio Output
hdmi:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3
    HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 3
    HDMI Audio Output
hdmi:CARD=HDMI,DEV=4
    HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 4
    HDMI Audio Output
default:CARD=PCH
    HDA Intel PCH, CS4208 Analog
    Default Audio Device
sysdefault:CARD=PCH
    HDA Intel PCH, CS4208 Analog
    Default Audio Device
front:CARD=PCH,DEV=0
    HDA Intel PCH, CS4208 Analog
    Front output / input
surround21:CARD=PCH,DEV=0
    HDA Intel PCH, CS4208 Analog
    2.1 Surround output to Front and Subwoofer speakers
surround40:CARD=PCH,DEV=0
    HDA Intel PCH, CS4208 Analog
    4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers
surround41:CARD=PCH,DEV=0
    HDA Intel PCH, CS4208 Analog
    4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
surround50:CARD=PCH,DEV=0
    HDA Intel PCH, CS4208 Analog
    5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers
surround51:CARD=PCH,DEV=0
    HDA Intel PCH, CS4208 Analog
    5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
surround71:CARD=PCH,DEV=0
    HDA Intel PCH, CS4208 Analog
    7.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Side, Rear and Woofer speakers
iec958:CARD=PCH,DEV=0
    HDA Intel PCH, CS4208 Digital
    IEC958 (S/PDIF) Digital Audio Output
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: HDMI [HDA Intel HDMI], device 3: HDMI 0 [HDMI 0]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: HDMI [HDA Intel HDMI], device 7: HDMI 1 [HDMI 1]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: HDMI [HDA Intel HDMI], device 8: HDMI 2 [HDMI 2]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: HDMI [HDA Intel HDMI], device 9: HDMI 3 [HDMI 3]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: HDMI [HDA Intel HDMI], device 10: HDMI 4 [HDMI 4]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: PCH [HDA Intel PCH], device 0: CS4208 Analog [CS4208 Analog]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: PCH [HDA Intel PCH], device 1: CS4208 Digital [CS4208 Digital]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

$ sudo fuser -v /dev/snd/*
                     USER        PID ACCESS COMMAND
/dev/snd/controlC0:  gc          678 F.... pulseaudio
/dev/snd/controlC1:  gc          678 F.... pulseaudio

$ pacmd list-cards
2 card(s) available.
    index: 0
	name: <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_03.0>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	owner module: 6
	properties:
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel HDMI"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel HDMI at 0xa0a10000 irq 63"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:03.0"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.0/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "0d0c"
		device.product.name = "Crystal Well HD Audio Controller"
		device.form_factor = "internal"
		device.string = "0"
		device.description = "Built-in Audio"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	profiles:
		output:hdmi-stereo: Digital Stereo (HDMI) Output (priority 5900, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI) Output (priority 800, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI) Output (priority 800, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra1: Digital Stereo (HDMI 2) Output (priority 5700, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra1: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 2) Output (priority 600, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra1: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 2) Output (priority 600, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra2: Digital Stereo (HDMI 3) Output (priority 5700, available: unknown)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra3: Digital Stereo (HDMI 4) Output (priority 5700, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra3: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 4) Output (priority 600, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra3: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 4) Output (priority 600, available: no)
		output:hdmi-stereo-extra4: Digital Stereo (HDMI 5) Output (priority 5700, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround-extra4: Digital Surround 5.1 (HDMI 5) Output (priority 600, available: no)
		output:hdmi-surround71-extra4: Digital Surround 7.1 (HDMI 5) Output (priority 600, available: no)
		off: Off (priority 0, available: unknown)
	active profile: <output:hdmi-stereo-extra2>
	sinks:
		alsa_output.pci-0000_00_03.0.hdmi-stereo-extra2/#3: Built-in Audio Digital Stereo (HDMI 3)
	sources:
		alsa_output.pci-0000_00_03.0.hdmi-stereo-extra2.monitor/#4: Monitor of Built-in Audio Digital Stereo (HDMI 3)
	ports:
		hdmi-output-0: HDMI / DisplayPort (priority 5900, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
		hdmi-output-1: HDMI / DisplayPort 2 (priority 5800, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
		hdmi-output-2: HDMI / DisplayPort 3 (priority 5700, latency offset 0 usec, available: yes)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
				device.product.name = "GN246HL"
		hdmi-output-3: HDMI / DisplayPort 4 (priority 5600, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
		hdmi-output-4: HDMI / DisplayPort 5 (priority 5500, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
    index: 1
	name: <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1b.0>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	owner module: 7
	properties:
		alsa.card = "1"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel PCH"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel PCH at 0xa0a14000 irq 56"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1b.0"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1b.0/sound/card1"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "8c20"
		device.product.name = "8 Series/C220 Series Chipset High Definition Audio Controller"
		device.form_factor = "internal"
		device.string = "1"
		device.description = "Built-in Audio"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	profiles:
		input:analog-stereo: Analog Stereo Input (priority 65, available: unknown)
		output:analog-stereo: Analog Stereo Output (priority 6500, available: unknown)
		output:analog-stereo+input:analog-stereo: Analog Stereo Duplex (priority 6565, available: unknown)
		output:analog-surround-21: Analog Surround 2.1 Output (priority 1300, available: unknown)
		output:analog-surround-21+input:analog-stereo: Analog Surround 2.1 Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 1365, available: unknown)
		output:analog-surround-40: Analog Surround 4.0 Output (priority 1200, available: unknown)
		output:analog-surround-40+input:analog-stereo: Analog Surround 4.0 Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 1265, available: unknown)
		output:iec958-stereo: Digital Stereo (IEC958) Output (priority 5500, available: unknown)
		output:iec958-stereo+input:analog-stereo: Digital Stereo (IEC958) Output + Analog Stereo Input (priority 5565, available: unknown)
		off: Off (priority 0, available: unknown)
	active profile: <output:analog-stereo+input:analog-stereo>
	sinks:
		alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1b.0.analog-stereo/#1: Built-in Audio Analog Stereo
	sources:
		alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1b.0.analog-stereo.monitor/#1: Monitor of Built-in Audio Analog Stereo
		alsa_input.pci-0000_00_1b.0.analog-stereo/#2: Built-in Audio Analog Stereo
	ports:
		analog-input-internal-mic: Internal Microphone (priority 8900, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-input-microphone"
		analog-input-mic: Microphone (priority 8700, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-input-microphone"
		analog-output-speaker: Speakers (priority 10000, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-speakers"
		analog-output-headphones: Headphones (priority 9900, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-headphones"
		iec958-stereo-output: Digital Output (S/PDIF) (priority 0, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:

$ pacmd list-sinks
2 sink(s) available.
  * index: 1
	name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1b.0.analog-stereo>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: SUSPENDED
	suspend cause: IDLE
	priority: 9039
	volume: front-left: 5730 /   9% / -63.50 dB,   front-right: 5730 /   9% / -63.50 dB
	        balance 0.00
	base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: yes
	current latency: 0.00 ms
	max request: 0 KiB
	max rewind: 0 KiB
	monitor source: 1
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 44100Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 0
	linked by: 0
	configured latency: 0.00 ms; range is 0.50 .. 2000.00 ms
	card: 1 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1b.0>
	module: 7
	properties:
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.name = "CS4208 Analog"
		alsa.id = "CS4208 Analog"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.device = "0"
		alsa.card = "1"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel PCH"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel PCH at 0xa0a14000 irq 56"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1b.0"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1b.0/sound/card1"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "8c20"
		device.product.name = "8 Series/C220 Series Chipset High Definition Audio Controller"
		device.form_factor = "internal"
		device.string = "front:1"
		device.buffering.buffer_size = "352800"
		device.buffering.fragment_size = "176400"
		device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
		device.profile.name = "analog-stereo"
		device.profile.description = "Analog Stereo"
		device.description = "Built-in Audio Analog Stereo"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	ports:
		analog-output-speaker: Speakers (priority 10000, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-speakers"
		analog-output-headphones: Headphones (priority 9900, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-headphones"
	active port: <analog-output-speaker>
    index: 3
	name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_03.0.hdmi-stereo-extra2>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: HARDWARE DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: SUSPENDED
	suspend cause: IDLE
	priority: 9030
	volume: front-left: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB,   front-right: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	        balance 0.00
	base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: no
	current latency: 0.00 ms
	max request: 0 KiB
	max rewind: 0 KiB
	monitor source: 4
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 44100Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 0
	linked by: 0
	configured latency: 0.00 ms; range is 0.50 .. 1999.82 ms
	card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_03.0>
	module: 6
	properties:
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.name = "HDMI 2"
		alsa.id = "HDMI 2"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.device = "8"
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel HDMI"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel HDMI at 0xa0a10000 irq 63"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:03.0"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.0/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "0d0c"
		device.product.name = "Crystal Well HD Audio Controller"
		device.form_factor = "internal"
		device.string = "hdmi:0,2"
		device.buffering.buffer_size = "352768"
		device.buffering.fragment_size = "176384"
		device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
		device.profile.name = "hdmi-stereo-extra2"
		device.profile.description = "Digital Stereo (HDMI 3)"
		device.description = "Built-in Audio Digital Stereo (HDMI 3)"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	ports:
		hdmi-output-2: HDMI / DisplayPort 3 (priority 5700, latency offset 0 usec, available: yes)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
				device.product.name = "GN246HL"
	active port: <hdmi-output-2>

Note that my monitor has no sound output, so I want the sound to come out of the mac's built-in speakers.

V1del · 2021-06-11 13:03:28

If we intend to use pulseaudio we should stay in pulseaudio land and I suggest you setup pavucontrol to have a GUI that shows you the state of your soundcards in a more intuitive manner.

From these outputs we see that your internal card is muted and at a generally low volume:

pacmd set-sink-mute alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1b.0.analog-stereo off
pactl set-sink-volume alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1b.0.analog-stereo 100%,100%

Try playing something

paplay /usr/share/sounds/alsa/Front_Center.wav

if you want to know the relations of single applications in regards to the sound device look through pavucontrol it should make this fairly intuitive.

gcoelho · 2021-06-11 13:23:12

Thank you V1del, I have been able to change the volume through pavucontrol. If you could point me to a guide for configuring the actual volume buttons to work before closing, it would be fantastic! Thank you again.

EDIT: I have found this for changing the volume with my keyboard, but the command amixer set is still giving me the same error. Any ideas on how to solve it?

Last edited by gcoelho (2021-06-11 13:30:04)

V1del · 2021-06-11 13:57:53

Read the pulseaudio article instead, mixing with amixer while using pulse will only result in undefined behaviours, in this case you want to replace these commands with the equivalent pulse options

pactl set-sink-volume @DEFAULT_SINK@ +5%
pactl set-sink-volume @DEFAULT_SINK@ -5%
pactl set-sink-mute @DEFAULT_SINK@ toggle

etc.

To answer the question you are asking with amixer, you'd need to first talk to the correct card so you'd need to add -c1 to refer to the second card as the HDMI device is the current main card from an ALSA POV, and then figure out whether you even have a master control, best done by querying what is available on the card you want to handle via

amixer -c1

but to repeat, if you intend to use pulseaudio you don't want to use amixer. It will technically work but have a lot of practical gotchas that are unnecessary.

Last edited by V1del (2021-06-11 14:03:14)

gcoelho · 2021-06-11 14:53:35

Well, looks like I'll be thanking you again, this worked perfectly. I'll mark the thread as solved.

Arch Linux

#1 2021-06-11 11:25:14

[SOLVED] unmute volume (and other volume controls) after fresh install

#2 2021-06-11 11:38:15

Re: [SOLVED] unmute volume (and other volume controls) after fresh install

#3 2021-06-11 12:07:53

Re: [SOLVED] unmute volume (and other volume controls) after fresh install

#4 2021-06-11 12:11:58

Re: [SOLVED] unmute volume (and other volume controls) after fresh install

#5 2021-06-11 12:16:14

Re: [SOLVED] unmute volume (and other volume controls) after fresh install

#6 2021-06-11 12:53:09

Re: [SOLVED] unmute volume (and other volume controls) after fresh install

#7 2021-06-11 13:03:28

Re: [SOLVED] unmute volume (and other volume controls) after fresh install

#8 2021-06-11 13:23:12

Re: [SOLVED] unmute volume (and other volume controls) after fresh install

#9 2021-06-11 13:57:53

Re: [SOLVED] unmute volume (and other volume controls) after fresh install

#10 2021-06-11 14:53:35

Re: [SOLVED] unmute volume (and other volume controls) after fresh install

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