There is something for your ears - A journey into the depths of sound card configuration under Linux

Specs

The Apple Mac Pro used is almost 7 years old (specifications). Since its first days Gentoo Linux is doing a good job and reached kernel version 3.10.17 with ALSA k3.10.17 resp. 1.0.27.1 housing libraries and utilities. I have tried to keep the description as general as possible to help users in other environments, too.

What to look for in kernel configuration

The sound driver is integrated as a module and is called snd-hda-intel. The following options should be considered when configuring the kernel module: For better diagnostics CONFIG_SND_DEBUG = y is recommended, if the driver should be more verbose CONFIG_SND_DEBUG_VERBOSE = y helps. The correct codec should be inserted - if you are unsure, you can activate all CONFIG_SND_HDA_CODEC_* in /usr/src/linux/.config.

The codec currently in use provides:

cat /proc/asound/card0/codec#* | grep Codec
Codec: Realtek ALC889A

The following line determines the built-in device and shows the sound driver in use:

lspci -k |grep -A2 Audio
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 631xESB/632xESB High Definition Audio Controller (rev 09)
        Kernel driver in use: snd_hda_intel
        Kernel modules: snd_hda_intel

Not only for debugging, but generally recommended CONFIG_SND_HDA_HWDEP = y. The new and therefore still marked as experimental CONFIG_SND_HDA_RECONFIG option allows you to configure the sound chips on the fly. For the CO2 balance and specifically for laptops CONFIG_SND_HDA_POWER_SAVE = y helps to save power. To patch the driver before the codec is loaded CONFIG_SND_HDA_PATCH_LOADER = y must be set.

Mixer settings

Intels HD-Audio is the replacement of the old AC97 standards. The standard itself describes only minimum requirements and sometimes the built-in hardware cannot be fully utilized without additional parameters despite the presence of the driver because the built-in automation relies on often faulty BIOS informations.

If the sound does not work and nothing comes out from the outputs, you should first check whether all mixer channels are unmuted and turned up. By default, the master channel and others are muted.

The init-script /etc/init.d/alsasound and the configuration in file /etc/conf.d/alsasound affect the mixer-settings between reboots.

The console allows the mixer-settings to be easily reviewed and changed by using

alsamixer -c0

Muted channels are tagged by the channel identifier MM. Navigation and volume control is done with the arrow keys, M key toggles between mute and unmuted. Esc exits the mixer.

Module handling

To test driver options, you load the driver on the commandline after removing the running:

rmmod snd-hda-intel
modprobe snd-hda-intel enable_msi=1

If the first command fails with the error message Module snd_hda_intel is in use, the module is still in use.

All processes that are currently accessing the sound card, this command lists.

lsof /dev/snd/*

They have to be terminated (eg kill -9 vlc) before you can unload the sound module.

If the modules are loaded correctly the loaded sound drivers and their dependencies are listed by typing

lsmod |grep snd_hda

Configuring the driver

The ALSA installation contains the script alsa-info.

/usr/bin/alsa-info

Once requested it produces a detailed report on the installed hardware and software. In the final report beneath Loaded sound module options the active sound module options are located. A brief description is offered by modinfo snd-hda-intel.

Alternatively, you can view and edit the current configuration parameters with the help of /sys/class/sound/hwC0D0 without the need to reload the driver. (see HWDEP)

Which screws the driver provides for popular problems, is explained, among other things in HD Audio.txt. You find it in the kernel source

ls /usr/src/linux/Documentation/sound/alsa/HD-Audio*

When the internal speakers or the headphone output does not work you have to adjust the raw codec settings. (requirements see) For easier access, there is the HDA-Analyzer.

Direct access to the PINs of the sound card with HDA Analyzer

The program HDA-Analyzer provides direct access to sound card parameters via an easy-to-use graphical user interface. Without having the driver reloaded, hereby settings can be tested spontaneously.

fig. 1

In the case of my Mac Pro 1,1 the headphone connector at the front did not work. Although silenced the line-out, as soon as I plug in the headphones, but heard nothing. Mute Line-out suggests that the headphone input is detected and the auto-mute mode works. It can be comfortably adjusted in the mixer-settings using alsamixer.

HDA-Analyzer to help. When the Python script had been downloaded

python run.py

In the program window of the HDA-Analyzer Node 0x18 is selected. The Config Default section shows an apt description, even the location of the connectors is given. A few clicks later - many switches do not exist - the parameter is found and the headphone output works as intended: It is the VREF setting. Changed from HIZ to 50 and off you go.

Of course, the question arises, what is there exactly set. In the High Definition Audio Specification Rev. 1.0a by Intel on page 162 you get an explanation: VREF is a reference signal level, HIZ Hi-Z (high impedance). Simply put, HIZ is the default setting so as not to endanger connected devices. The selected 50 represents a percentage, 80 and 100 work the same way. A level difference, I can not tell.

fig. 2

The diff indicator helps to determine the values ??that the sound card is to be configured during system startup.

Figure 2 shows the diff output of HDA-Analyzer. Lines marked with a plus sign show the changed settings. In this example, 0xC1 for the node 0x18 of the verb PIN_Widget_Control.

HDA-Verb

On the command line and in the configuration script hda-verb helps. With Gentoo Linux, it is found in the package media-sound/alsa-tools. With the following line written to a local startup script in /etc/local.d/, the headphone output will unlock when booting the computer.

/usr/bin/hda-verb /dev/snd/hwC0D0 0x18 SET_PIN_WIDGET_CONTROL 0xc1 &>/dev/null

The other option would have the transfer of initialization parameters to the driver via the patch option of modprobe. Here the driver is given a text file that contains the definitions. Details about the format can be found in HD Audio.txt under the heading Early patching. (see also SND_HDA_PATCH_LOADER

Acknowledgements and sources

Ubuntu User-Forum:
http://forum.ubuntuusers.de/topic/kopfhoererausgang-umschalten/

and here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-1435136.html

Homepage of HDA-Analyzer:
http://www.alsa-project.org/main/index.php/HDA_Analyzer

UPDATE from 2/21/2014:

Since February, 14th the patch is in the stable 3.10er kernel and most newer entitled ALSA: hda - Fix missing VREF setup for Mac Pro 1,1.