Arch Linux

geo909

Member

Registered: 2008-09-07

Posts: 309

[SOLVED] Microphone does not work after fresh install

Hello all,

I just installed arch a week or so ago, everything is great except from
the fact that my microphone does not seem to work (at least with
skype)..

This is the output of amixer:

[jorge@flamingo ~]$ amixer
Simple mixer control 'Master',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined penum
  Playback channels: Mono
  Limits: Playback 0 - 64
  Mono: Playback 57 [89%] [-5.25dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Headphone',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch penum
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 64
  Mono:
  Front Left: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Headphone',1
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch penum
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 64
  Mono:
  Front Left: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 64 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'PCM',0
  Capabilities: pvolume penum
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 255
  Mono:
  Front Left: Playback 183 [72%] [-14.40dB]
  Front Right: Playback 183 [72%] [-14.40dB]
Simple mixer control 'Mic Jack Mode',0
  Capabilities: enum
  Items: 'Mic In' 'Line In'
  Item0: 'Mic In'
Simple mixer control 'IEC958',0
  Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined penum
  Playback channels: Mono
  Mono: Playback [off]
Simple mixer control 'IEC958 Default PCM',0
  Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined penum
  Playback channels: Mono
  Mono: Playback [on]
Simple mixer control 'IEC958 Playback Source',0
  Capabilities: enum
  Items: 'Digital Playback' 'ADAT' 'Analog Mux 1' 'Analog Mux 2' 'Analog Mux 3'
  Item0: 'Digital Playback'
Simple mixer control 'IEC958',1
  Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined penum
  Playback channels: Mono
  Mono: Playback [off]
Simple mixer control 'Beep',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined penum
  Playback channels: Mono
  Limits: Playback 0 - 3
  Mono: Playback 0 [0%] [-18.00dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Capture',0
  Capabilities: cvolume cswitch penum
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Capture 0 - 14
  Front Left: Capture 14 [100%] [21.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Capture 14 [100%] [21.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Capture',1
  Capabilities: cvolume cswitch penum
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Capture 0 - 14
  Front Left: Capture 14 [100%] [21.00dB] [off]
  Front Right: Capture 14 [100%] [21.00dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Capture',2
  Capabilities: cvolume cswitch penum
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Capture 0 - 14
  Front Left: Capture 14 [100%] [21.00dB] [off]
  Front Right: Capture 14 [100%] [21.00dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Digital',0
  Capabilities: cvolume penum
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Capture 0 - 120
  Front Left: Capture 115 [96%] [27.50dB]
  Front Right: Capture 115 [96%] [27.50dB]
Simple mixer control 'Input Source',0
  Capabilities: cenum
  Items: 'Mic' 'Front Mic' 'Digital Mic'
  Item0: 'Mic'
Simple mixer control 'Input Source',1
  Capabilities: cenum
  Items: 'Mic' 'Front Mic' 'Digital Mic'
  Item0: 'Mic'
Simple mixer control 'Input Source',2
  Capabilities: cenum
  Items: 'Mic' 'Front Mic' 'Digital Mic'
  Item0: 'Mic'
Simple mixer control 'Mux',0
  Capabilities: cvolume penum
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Capture 0 - 4
  Front Left: Capture 4 [100%] [40.00dB]
  Front Right: Capture 4 [100%] [40.00dB]
Simple mixer control 'Mux',1
  Capabilities: cvolume penum
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Capture 0 - 4
  Front Left: Capture 4 [100%] [40.00dB]
  Front Right: Capture 4 [100%] [40.00dB]
Simple mixer control 'Mux',2
  Capabilities: cvolume penum
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Capture 0 - 4
  Front Left: Capture 4 [100%] [40.00dB]
  Front Right: Capture 4 [100%] [40.00dB]
[jorge@flamingo ~]$ 

The capture section seems to be ok.. However when I am using skype,
the people I call only hear a noise and nothing else. I confirmed that with
skype call testing service..

Moreover, the levels of the mixer are ok and nothing is muted.

Finally, the mic itself works fine, I dual boot with XP and I didn't have
any problems with skype there..

Please let me know what other information you need..

Many thanks in advance.

Last edited by geo909 (2011-02-23 01:23:28)

BertiBoeller

Member

Registered: 2009-01-19

Posts: 58

Re: [SOLVED] Microphone does not work after fresh install

I guess you are using pulseaudio? Have you tried 'pavucontrol'? There is a 'Input Devices' section where you can change the levels of the microphone and there is also level meter which can help you verify that the microphone is recognized.

alterecco

Member

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 152

Re: [SOLVED] Microphone does not work after fresh install

If you are using alsa, then remember to go into alsamixer and turn up your microphone volumes and set a device as the capture device.

Basically, go to the capture pane (F4), navigate to the capture device you want to use, and press Space to toggle it on.

geo909

Member

Registered: 2008-09-07

Posts: 309

Re: [SOLVED] Microphone does not work after fresh install

If you are using alsa, then remember to go into alsamixer and turn up your microphone volumes and set a device as the capture device.

Basically, go to the capture pane (F4), navigate to the capture device you want to use, and press Space to toggle it on.

First of all, I'm so sorry for the late reply.. I didn't have access to a pc for a long time.

And actually your suggestion did the job! I don't believe it was something that simple,
I spent hours googling around and trying all sorts of stuff..

Thanks a lot!!!

alterecco

Member

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 152

Re: [SOLVED] Microphone does not work after fresh install

How about that... glad it worked