ALSA and OSS

michael · 2009-01-23 22:46:01

Hello, brand new Arch user here.

I noticed in http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beg … igure_ALSA that it says ALSA is installed by default, and that you can change to OSS if desired. Is this still true? On my fresh system, lsmod shows modules like snd_pcm_oss, snd_mixer_oss, and nothing about ALSA. The module snd-pcsp mentioned in the wiki is not present, either. Note, I do not really know what I am talking about, so please correct me if I am wrong.

Michael

whargoul · 2009-01-23 23:42:19

Well ALSA has some support for OSS for those applications that still rely on OSS.

In the old days Open Sound System (OSS) were used by every application. However OSS were bought by 4Front were it came under a proprietary license, which lead to development of ALSA. Those modules snd_pcm_oss, snd_mixer_oss are just for OSS emulation.

Ranguvar · 2009-01-24 02:42:20

...but now OSS4 is multi-licensed, including both BSD and GPL.

bluewind · 2009-01-24 13:41:19

whargoul wrote:

Those modules snd_pcm_oss, snd_mixer_oss are just for OSS emulation.

They only support the old OSS3 (which was in the kernel) and don't work with the new OSS4 API.
OSS4 has working ALSA emulation

Last edited by bluewind (2009-01-24 22:38:09)

R00KIE · 2009-01-24 14:50:42

My experience is a little mixed, on my desktop (old ac97 codec) alsa works quite well, on my newer notebook (hdaudio codec) oss works a whole lot better. Give them both a try for a couple of weeks and check which one works better.

michael · 2009-01-24 15:54:37

Thanks for all the information, everyone.

R00KIE wrote:

My experience is a little mixed, on my desktop (old ac97 codec) alsa works quite well, on my newer notebook (hdaudio codec) oss works a whole lot better. Give them both a try for a couple of weeks and check which one works better.

I've got ALSA up and running now, but I may try OSS as well. This is an old desktop with AC97. It sounds fine as-is, and I'm not too concerned with getting the best possible audio quality.

whargoul · 2009-01-24 22:34:31

bluewind wrote:

whargoul wrote:
Those modules snd_pcm_oss, snd_mixer_oss are just for OSS emulation.
They only support the old OSS3 (which was in the kernel) and don't work with the new OSS4 API.
OSS4 hast working ALSA emulation

That happens when you're not specific enough - people correct you, grr.

Arch Linux

#1 2009-01-23 22:46:01

ALSA and OSS

#2 2009-01-23 23:42:19

Re: ALSA and OSS

#3 2009-01-24 02:42:20

Re: ALSA and OSS

#4 2009-01-24 13:41:19

Re: ALSA and OSS

#5 2009-01-24 14:50:42

Re: ALSA and OSS

#6 2009-01-24 15:54:37

Re: ALSA and OSS

#7 2009-01-24 22:34:31

Re: ALSA and OSS

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