sound problem with snd-hda-intel

mrgadget · #1 3rd August 2005, 01:26 AM

Iam having problems with my audio device.
The problem consist in that the system sounds and the music from the cd player is distorted.

I have search through all the forums and I have tried a lot of things, with no succes.

Also I have found that when I use the alsa 1.2.10 output plugin (libALSA.so) in XMMS, and enter in the configuration for the plugin, I have under "Audio device" Default PCM device (default), HDA Intel: CMI9880 (hw:0,0), HDA Intel: CMI9880 Digital (hw:0,1).

When I set it to use the Default PCM device (default), the sound is distorted, but when I set it to use the HDA Intel: CMI9880 (hw:0,0), the sound is crystal clear and perfect.

My specs are the followings:
FC4 with dual boot Windows XP Pro
ASUS P5AD2 mobo
1 GB DDR2
Pentium 4 LGA775
Audio chipset = CMI 9880 = Intel High Definition Audio

Any help in how to fix this or if someone can explain me the reason for this to happen, will be much appreciated.

Please, I need help on this.

mrgadget · #2 3rd August 2005, 03:24 AM

this thread (http://forums.fedoraforum.org/forum/...+audio+drivers) has exactly the same problem that I have, and nobody is able to help.
There has to be someone that knows how to fix this.

#3 5th August 2005, 05:57 PM

Try using the OSS Output Plugin, it worked for me

mrgadget · #4 5th August 2005, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrgadget

this thread (http://forums.fedoraforum.org/forum/...+audio+drivers) has exactly the same problem that I have, and nobody is able to help.
There has to be someone that knows how to fix this.

can you explain in more details?

#5 6th August 2005, 12:00 AM

I tried this with Beep Media Player, so I guess it will work in XMMS too.

Go to Preferences > Plugins > Output Plugins and you should view a list with some output plugins (ALSA, OSS....), select OSS, then aply the changes and close the Preferences window.

It should work correctly.

I've written this without being on my computer, so I hope it's everything ok.

mrgadget · #6 6th August 2005, 03:47 AM

That would work only with the sound in xmms, but the system and the game`s sound will stay distorted.

tfindlay · #7 21st August 2005, 02:20 PM

Hey,

I have exactly the same problem, last time I played with it, I broke my ALSA all together, and could only use OSS!! After acidently loosing my whole drive, I've started from scratch again, and my ALSA is fine if I use the hw:0,0 but distorted if I use the Default PCM.

Before I ferreting around again, I'm keen to hear if anyone has a system-wide fix (apart from "Just use OSS") ... is there anyway to disable the hw:0,1 (digital interface) ??

PS: I have a similar setup with an ASUS P5WD2 and a socket 775 CPU...

lecedre · #8 25th August 2005, 07:15 PM

I have the same problem. What I don't understand is why some as many channel in alsamixer or kmix since me I have just the PCM one. As I read some were able to unmute something in one of the channel but since I have just one and it's unmute, it's impossible for me to look for the through one.

I got XMMS and I try other OSS and Alsa output, no one work out.

lecedre · #9 25th August 2005, 07:21 PM

if I run system-config-soundcard from terminal, I get if I push the button play sound the following message in the terminal:

amixer: Unable to find simple control 'Master' ,0
amixer: Unable to find simple control 'PCM-2' ,0
amixer: Unable to find simple control 'DRC Range' ,0

I believe that it's the source of the problem but cannot get how to solve it.

wshawn · #10 27th August 2005, 04:45 PM

Taken from another post here:

http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showth...highlight=alsa

You have to go into Volume Control | Edit | Preferences

Scroll all the way down and select External Amplifier.

Close that window and then scroll to the far right in the Switches tab and turn on the external amplifier.

tfindlay · #11 28th August 2005, 12:16 AM

Hi,

This didnt quite work for me, when I run "alsamixer" as root, I only get the following devices:
<Headphone>
<PCM>
<Front>
<FrontMi>
<Surround>
<Center>
<LFE>
<Side>
<Line>
<CD>
<Mic>
<IEC958>
<PC Speaker>
<Capture>
<Capture>
<Capture>
<Input So> (MIC)
<Input So> (MIC)
<Input So> (MIC)

I've noticed though, there are a number of people with problems here, and I think some are talking about a different problem. Some people are having difficulty getting ANY sound at all, and some people CAN get sound, but have problems with the quality.

I get the same output as Iceedre.

I've actually just read up about these two problems, and found a GREAT page which talks about them here:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HdaIntelSoundHowto

... worth checking out!

lecedre · #12 28th August 2005, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wshawn

Taken from another post here:

http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showth...highlight=alsa

You have to go into Volume Control | Edit | Preferences

Scroll all the way down and select External Amplifier.

Close that window and then scroll to the far right in the Switches tab and turn on the external amplifier.

I read this post before.

But as I said, I just have the PCM channel visible and not the other ones. It the same if you run alsamixer, kmix or volume control. The three program check the same files so I cannot turn on external amplifier. Somebody as any clue why I have only PCM choice when I run alsamixer.

lecedre · #13 28th August 2005, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfindlay

Hi,

This didnt quite work for me, when I run "alsamixer" as root, I only get the following devices:
<Headphone>
<PCM>
<Front>
<FrontMi>
<Surround>
<Center>
<LFE>
<Side>
<Line>
<CD>
<Mic>
<IEC958>
<PC Speaker>
<Capture>
<Capture>
<Capture>
<Input So> (MIC)
<Input So> (MIC)
<Input So> (MIC)

I've noticed though, there are a number of people with problems here, and I think some are talking about a different problem. Some people are having difficulty getting ANY sound at all, and some people CAN get sound, but have problems with the quality.

I get the same output as Iceedre.

I've actually just read up about these two problems, and found a GREAT page which talks about them here:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HdaIntelSoundHowto

... worth checking out!

I installed the Alsa driver, oss, library and utils of version 1.0.10-rc1
Then, it works fine, I hesitated a bit before doing it. I have read that in other place but now I tried and it works fine with the last version of kernel available for the FC4: 2.6.12-1.1398-FC4 (or smp) since the devel rpm of this kernel is installed on your computer.

Hopefully, Alsa solved the problem and it will be available by default in next version. I think the problem of the discussion on the forum come from the fact that we have different mother board so after FC4 installation, you don't get the same thing.

vindvaki · #14 29th August 2005, 01:28 AM

I was having this "scratchy sound problem" with intel onboard hda soundcard and alsa but but installing the alsa-lib rpm from http://www.atrpms.net fixed it for me. I guess this would be the best solution to this problem at the moment as no other workarounds are needed. Just hope that there will come some official updates fixing this problem soon.

mrgadget · #15 29th August 2005, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lecedre

I installed the Alsa driver, oss, library and utils of version 1.0.10-rc1
Then, it works fine, I hesitated a bit before doing it. I have read that in other place but now I tried and it works fine with the last version of kernel available for the FC4: 2.6.12-1.1398-FC4 (or smp) since the devel rpm of this kernel is installed on your computer.

Hopefully, Alsa solved the problem and it will be available by default in next version. I think the problem of the discussion on the forum come from the fact that we have different mother board so after FC4 installation, you don't get the same thing.

Can you specify the exact location of where you downloaded the rpm`s? and a step by step installation instructions?

I will be more than happy if I can fix the distorted sound.