Can't make my mic work

[Ivan Dives]

Hello.
This my question may not be oss related but this is one of the best places to ask as this is a forum that audio drivers developers visit who know how gears work.

I have a microphone problem. Can't make it to work.
My motherboard is ASUS M2N-MX with Intel HD Audio onboard. Plus I have Creative Labs CA0106 Soundblaster

Code: Select all

00:05.0 Audio device: nVidia Corporation MCP61 High Definition Audio (rev a2)
01:07.0 Multimedia audio controller: Creative Labs CA0106 Soundblaster

This all is twisted into Cooler Master Elite 332 chassis with 3 audio jacks behind and two in front for intel hda.

My system is gentoo. I'm running kernel 2.6.31 (manually configured) and oss-devel-9999 from oss-overlay.

Here is my problem. About a year ago (maybe more) I did a system update after which I could not use my mic. That time I was using alsa and tried everything I could try to fix it: first I toyed with configs in alsamixer, then I tried to use the external alsa modules, then internal, looked into compile logs, dmesg. This didn't work out.

Then I switched to oss, I liked it but the mic was still dead. So some time later I went to the shop and bought the CA0106 sound card, plugged it in, plugged my headphones into it and... no mic. In summer I somehow found the right combination of options in the ossxmix and was happy for the whole day. But then I needed to reboot the system for some reason and after the reboot the mic was dead again. And it's still dead till today. And nothing I do works.

I tried compiling different versions of oss, asked in IRC (someone told me to compile and use some program from oss source. I don't remember what is was) and on this forum (when it was using IPB iirc) and got an answer "toy with ossxmix". Didn't help. I experimented with both my sound cards. Looked in dmesg (haven't found any errors there). I don't know where to look now.

The mic problem was annoying but I never had time for it (and tbh I haven't used the mic too much). But now it's too annoying to let it stay this way.
I can provide you with any information you would request. I can write a simple C programs (know nothing about the kernel API or soundcard driver programming).

I don't mind experimenting with any weird methods and I have a wish to work on this as long as it's needed.
Can you please help me make my mic work? Or at least help me find where the problem is so I can move on my own?

[cesium]

devel-9999? Which version of OSS is used (you can see in 'ossinfo')? 4.2 has some work on the audigyls driver which may make the mic work with it...

[Ivan Dives]

Code: Select all

Version info: OSS 4.2 (b rc1/201002081344) (0x00040100) GPL
Platform: Linux/x86_64 2.6.31-gentoo-r10 #1 SMP Fri Jan 29 10:00:28 EET 2010 (ivan-gentoo)

Number of audio devices:   9
Number of audio engines:   18
Number of MIDI devices:      0
Number of mixer devices:   2


Device objects
 0: osscore0 OSS core services
 1: oss_audigyls0 AudigyLS interrupts=391071 (391071)
 2: oss_hdaudio0 nVidia HD Audio interrupts=401 (83805)
    HD Audio controller nVidia HD Audio
    Vendor ID    0x10de03f0
    Subvendor ID 0x10438234
     Codec  0: AD1986A (0x11d41986/0x1043818f)

MIDI devices (/dev/midi*)

Mixer devices
 0: AudigyLS Mixer (Mixer 0 of device object 1)
    Device file /dev/oss/oss_audigyls0/mix0, Legacy device /dev/mixer0
    Priority: 1
    Caps:
    Device handle: PCI100a1102--mx01
    Device priority: 1

 1: High Definition Audio AD1986A (Mixer 0 of device object 2)
    Device file /dev/oss/oss_hdaudio0/mix0, Legacy device /dev/mixer1
    Priority: 10
    Caps:
    Device handle: PCI82341043-аДUБ    аДUБ    -mx0
    Device priority: 10


Audio devices
AudigyLS front                    /dev/oss/oss_audigyls0/pcm0  (device index 0)
    Legacy device /dev/dsp0
    Caps: DUPLEX TRIGGER MMAP
    Modes: IN/OUT
      Engine      1: 0/AudigyLS front
                     Available for use
      Engine      2: 5/AudigyLS front (vmix)
                     Available for use
      Engine      3: 6/AudigyLS front (vmix)
                     Available for use
      Engine      4: 7/AudigyLS front (vmix)
                     Available for use
      Engine      5: 8/AudigyLS front (vmix)
                     Available for use
    Input formats (0x00000410):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_AC3      - AC3 (Dolby Digital) encoded audio
    Output formats (0x00000410):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_AC3      - AC3 (Dolby Digital) encoded audio
    Device handle: PCI100a1102--au01
    Related mixer dev: 0
    Sample rate source: 0
    Preferred channel configuration: Not indicated
    Supported number of channels (min - max): 1 - 2
    Native sample rates (min - max): 48000 - 48000
    HW Type: Not indicated.
    Minimum latency: Not indicated

AudigyLS center/lfe               /dev/oss/oss_audigyls0/pcm1  (device index 1)
    Legacy device /dev/dsp1
    Caps: TRIGGER MMAP
    Modes: OUTPUT
      Out engine  1: 2/AudigyLS center/lfe
                     Available for use
    Input formats (0x00000410):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_AC3      - AC3 (Dolby Digital) encoded audio
    Output formats (0x00000410):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_AC3      - AC3 (Dolby Digital) encoded audio
    Device handle: PCI100a1102--au02
    Related mixer dev: 0
    Sample rate source: 0
    Preferred channel configuration: Not indicated
    Supported number of channels (min - max): 1 - 2
    Native sample rates (min - max): 48000 - 48000
    HW Type: Not indicated.
    Minimum latency: Not indicated

AudigyLS surround                 /dev/oss/oss_audigyls0/pcm2  (device index 2)
    Legacy device /dev/dsp2
    Caps: TRIGGER MMAP
    Modes: OUTPUT
      Out engine  1: 3/AudigyLS surround
                     Available for use
    Input formats (0x00000410):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_AC3      - AC3 (Dolby Digital) encoded audio
    Output formats (0x00000410):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_AC3      - AC3 (Dolby Digital) encoded audio
    Device handle: PCI100a1102--au03
    Related mixer dev: 0
    Sample rate source: 0
    Preferred channel configuration: Not indicated
    Supported number of channels (min - max): 1 - 2
    Native sample rates (min - max): 48000 - 48000
    HW Type: Not indicated.
    Minimum latency: Not indicated

AudigyLS 5.1 output               /dev/oss/oss_audigyls0/pcm3  (device index 3)
    Legacy device /dev/dsp3
    Caps: TRIGGER MMAP
    Modes: OUTPUT
      Out engine  1: 4/AudigyLS 5.1 output
                     Available for use
    Input formats (0x00000010):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
    Output formats (0x00000010):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
    Device handle: PCI100a1102--au04
    Related mixer dev: -1
    Sample rate source: 0
    Preferred channel configuration: MULTICH
    Supported number of channels (min - max): 2 - 6
    Native sample rates (min - max): 48000 - 48000
    HW Type: Not indicated.
    Minimum latency: Not indicated

HD Audio play front               /dev/oss/oss_hdaudio0/pcm0  (device index 4)
    Legacy device /dev/dsp4
    Caps: DUPLEX TRIGGER MMAP
    Modes: IN/OUT
      Out engine  1: 9/HD Audio play front
                     Available for use
      Engine      2: 14/HD Audio play front (vmix)
                     Available for use
      Engine      3: 15/HD Audio play front (vmix)
                     Available for use
      Engine      4: 16/HD Audio play front (vmix)
                     Available for use
      Engine      5: 17/HD Audio play front (vmix)
                     Available for use
    Input formats (0x00001010):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_S32_LE   - 32 bit signed little endian
    Output formats (0x00001010):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_S32_LE   - 32 bit signed little endian
    Device handle: PCI82341043-аДUБ    аДUБ    -au0
    Related mixer dev: 1
    Sample rate source: 9
    Preferred channel configuration: Not indicated
    Supported number of channels (min - max): 2 - 8
    Native sample rates (min - max): 8000 - 48000 (8000,11025,16000,22050,32000,44100,48000)
    HW Type: Not indicated.
    Minimum latency: Not indicated

HD Audio play rear                /dev/oss/oss_hdaudio0/pcm1  (device index 5)
    Legacy device /dev/dsp5
    Caps: TRIGGER MMAP
    Modes: OUTPUT
      Out engine  1: 10/HD Audio play rear
                     Available for use
    Input formats (0x00001010):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_S32_LE   - 32 bit signed little endian
    Output formats (0x00001010):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_S32_LE   - 32 bit signed little endian
    Device handle: PCI82341043-аДUБ    аДUБ    -au0
    Related mixer dev: 1
    Sample rate source: 9
    Preferred channel configuration: Not indicated
    Supported number of channels (min - max): 2 - 2
    Native sample rates (min - max): 8000 - 48000 (8000,11025,16000,22050,32000,44100,48000)
    HW Type: Not indicated.
    Minimum latency: Not indicated

HD Audio play center/LFE          /dev/oss/oss_hdaudio0/pcm2  (device index 6)
    Legacy device /dev/dsp6
    Caps: TRIGGER MMAP
    Modes: OUTPUT
      Out engine  1: 11/HD Audio play center/LFE
                     Available for use
    Input formats (0x00001010):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_S32_LE   - 32 bit signed little endian
    Output formats (0x00001010):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_S32_LE   - 32 bit signed little endian
    Device handle: PCI82341043-аДUБ    аДUБ    -au0
    Related mixer dev: 1
    Sample rate source: 9
    Preferred channel configuration: Not indicated
    Supported number of channels (min - max): 2 - 2
    Native sample rates (min - max): 8000 - 48000 (8000,11025,16000,22050,32000,44100,48000)
    HW Type: Not indicated.
    Minimum latency: Not indicated

HD Audio play spdif-out           /dev/oss/oss_hdaudio0/spdout0  (device index 7)
    Legacy device /dev/dsp7
    Caps: TRIGGER MMAP
    Modes: OUTPUT
      Out engine  1: 12/HD Audio play spdif-out
                     Available for use
    Input formats (0x00000410):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_AC3      - AC3 (Dolby Digital) encoded audio
    Output formats (0x00000410):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_AC3      - AC3 (Dolby Digital) encoded audio
    Device handle: PCI82341043-аДUБ    аДUБ    -au0
    Related mixer dev: 1
    Sample rate source: 9
    Preferred channel configuration: Not indicated
    Supported number of channels (min - max): 2 - 2
    Native sample rates (min - max): 44100 - 48000 (44100,48000)
    HW Type: Not indicated.
    Minimum latency: Not indicated

HD Audio rec rec-srcmic-mix       /dev/oss/oss_hdaudio0/pcmin0  (device index 8)
    Legacy device /dev/dsp8
    Caps: DUPLEX TRIGGER MMAP
    Modes: IN/OUT
      In engine   1: 13/HD Audio rec rec-srcmic-mix
                     Available for use
      Engine      2: 14/HD Audio play front (vmix)
                     Available for use
      Engine      3: 15/HD Audio play front (vmix)
                     Available for use
      Engine      4: 16/HD Audio play front (vmix)
                     Available for use
      Engine      5: 17/HD Audio play front (vmix)
                     Available for use
    Input formats (0x00001010):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_S32_LE   - 32 bit signed little endian
    Output formats (0x00001010):
      AFMT_S16_LE   - 16 bit signed little endian
      AFMT_S32_LE   - 32 bit signed little endian
    Device handle: PCI82341043-аДUБ    аДUБ    -au0
    Related mixer dev: 1
    Sample rate source: 9
    Preferred channel configuration: Not indicated
    Supported number of channels (min - max): 2 - 2
    Native sample rates (min - max): 8000 - 48000 (8000,11025,16000,22050,32000,44100,48000)
    HW Type: Not indicated.
    Minimum latency: Not indicated


Nodes
  /dev/dsp -> /dev/oss/oss_audigyls0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_in -> /dev/oss/oss_audigyls0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_out -> /dev/oss/oss_audigyls0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_ac3 -> /dev/oss/oss_audigyls0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_mmap -> /dev/oss/oss_audigyls0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_multich -> /dev/oss/oss_audigyls0/pcm3

Code: Select all

Selected mixer 0/AudigyLS Mixer
Known controls are:
pcm [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 72:72)
rear [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 48:48)
center [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 48:48)
ext.spread ON|OFF (currently OFF)
ext.loopback ON|OFF (currently OFF)
ext.recordvol <monovol> (currently 128)
ext.recordsrc <MIC|LINE> (currently MIC)
vmix0-enable ON|OFF (currently ON)
vmix0-rate <decimal value> (currently 48000) (Read-only)
vmix0-src <Fast|High|OFF> (currently High)
vmix0-outvol <monovol> (currently 23.4 dB)
vmix0-invol <monovol> (currently 25.0 dB)
vmix0.pcm5 [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 25.0:25.0 dB)
vmix0.pcm6 [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 25.0:25.0 dB)
vmix0.pcm7 [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 25.0:25.0 dB)
vmix0.pcm8 [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 25.0:25.0 dB)

[cesium]

That's 4.2rc1 - latest stable is 4.2 build 2002. There was a commit after rc1 which fixed recording on AudigyLS so it's worth upgrading to use the mic with it. See here how to build OSS, or maybe you can edit the ebuild to do this for you.. Also, you may want to post "ossmix -d1" output - that's for the hdaudio. Maybe some mixer settings there need to be changed for the mic to work...