Sound Problem On Cinnamon Dual Installation

[vw98075]

The sound quality can be quite bad on my Linux Mint 18 Cinnamon dual boot installation with Windows 10. The sound is good sometimes and bad in the other time. The following is some related system information:

Code: Select all

$ inxi -Fxs
System:    Host: oem-Vostro-270s Kernel: 4.4.0-112-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
           Desktop: Cinnamon 3.4.3 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.3)
           Distro: Linux Mint 18.2 Sonya
Machine:   System: Dell product: Vostro 270s
           Mobo: Dell model: 0XFWHV v: A00 Bios: Dell v: A11 date: 10/14/2013
CPU:       Quad core Intel Core i5-3470S (-MCP-) cache: 6144 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 23155
           clock speeds: max: 3600 MHz 1: 1795 MHz 2: 1798 MHz 3: 1794 MHz
           4: 1799 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v2/3rd Gen Core processor Graphics Controller
           bus-ID: 00:02.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1920x1200@59.95hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Ivybridge Desktop
           GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 11.2.0 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel 7 Series/C210 Series Family High Definition Audio Controller
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.4.0-112-generic
Network:   Card-1: Qualcomm Atheros AR9485 Wireless Network Adapter
           driver: ath9k bus-ID: 03:00.0
           IF: wlp3s0 state: up mac: 1c:3e:84:8f:e8:03
           Card-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller
           driver: r8169 v: 2.3LK-NAPI port: e000 bus-ID: 04:00.0
           IF: enp4s0 state: down mac: a4:1f:72:7b:bb:19
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 1000.2GB (8.6% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: ST1000DM003 size: 1000.2GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 189G used: 77G (43%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda5
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 4.16GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda6
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 29.8C mobo: 27.8C
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 212 Uptime: 17 min Memory: 2483.8/7855.3MB
           Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.481) inxi: 2.2.35 

How to solve this sound problem?

[MrEen]

Hi vw98075.

See if this helps. Open the sound applet and go to the Applications tab. Now move the slider to the left until it is below 100%, then test.

[vw98075]

Hi vw98075.

See if this helps. Open the sound applet and go to the Applications tab. Now move the slider to the left until it is below 100%, then test.

Under the tab, it says "No application is currently palying or recoding audio". There isn't any sliders on the panel.

[MrEen]

My apologies. I use Xfce and thought the Cinnamon sound applet looked like the pic in this link: https://askubuntu.com/questions/75395/p ... -on-ubuntu

See if deleting the files in ~/.config/pulse/ helps with your sound issues.

[vw98075]

My apologies. I use Xfce and thought the Cinnamon sound applet looked like the pic in this link: https://askubuntu.com/questions/75395/p ... -on-ubuntu

See if deleting the files in ~/.config/pulse/ helps with your sound issues.

That is a directory. The sound is the same after I remove the directory. I also remove pulse.bak. Still the same.

[MrEen]

See if this helps.

In the terminal, type alsamixer (for me, I then have to press F6 and arrow down to HD-Audio Generic, my default card.)

Now you might want to make the window as wide as possible so you can see all the options. Use the right arrow key to move to any columns that have boost in the name, then use the down arrow to lower the amount of boost all the way down to zero (Line boost, especially.)

If that didn't help, try lowering the Master a little bit (if it's at 100) as well as anything else that's at 100. Just a little here, maybe to 91.

Hope that helps.

EDIT: Also lower the mic to zero. That sometimes makes a difference.

[trytip]

don't understand what means "The sound is good sometimes and bad in the other time." is it choppy, is it crackling, does it vibrate or maybe you can't hear it good?

[vw98075]

don't understand what means "The sound is good sometimes and bad in the other time." is it choppy, is it crackling, does it vibrate or maybe you can't hear it good?

Between choppy and cracking, I would decribe that the sound is choppy. I wish that I could upload a sound sample file.

[vw98075]

See if this helps.

In the terminal, type alsamixer (for me, I then have to press F6 and arrow down to HD-Audio Generic, my default card.)

Now you might want to make the window as wide as possible so you can see all the options. Use the right arrow key to move to any columns that have boost in the name, then use the down arrow to lower the amount of boost all the way down to zero (Line boost, especially.)

If that didn't help, try lowering the Master a little bit (if it's at 100) as well as anything else that's at 100. Just a little here, maybe to 91.

Hope that helps.

EDIT: Also lower the mic to zero. That sometimes makes a difference.

I try it and still the same.

[trytip]

a bit more voluntary info is always a good idea. where does the sound be choppy? is it on YouTube, is it in a browser? what browser are you using? is it when you play games or watch videos or listen to music?

[MrEen]

a bit more voluntary info is always a good idea. where does the sound be choppy? is it on YouTube, is it in a browser? what browser are you using? is it when you play games or watch videos or listen to music?

+1

Also, are we talking about headphones, built-in speakers, external speakers, something else, all of the above?

[vw98075]

a bit more voluntary info is always a good idea. where does the sound be choppy? is it on YouTube, is it in a browser? what browser are you using? is it when you play games or watch videos or listen to music?

The sound is the same regardless which browser, Chrome or Firefox, is used to play a video on YouTube.

[vw98075]

a bit more voluntary info is always a good idea. where does the sound be choppy? is it on YouTube, is it in a browser? what browser are you using? is it when you play games or watch videos or listen to music?

+1

Also, are we talking about headphones, built-in speakers, external speakers, something else, all of the above?

I don't believe any external devices cause the sound problem. I need to say againt that the sound quality isn't always bad on Linux Mint. And the desktop is dual boot and the sound is always good/normal on Windows. It is connected to a DAC which in terms connecting to a headphone.

[MrEen]

This might work.

In the terminal type gksudo xed /etc/pulse/default.pa and in the file that opens, find the line that says load-module module-udev-detect Change the line to read:

Code: Select all

load-module module-udev-detect tsched=0

Now save the file, reboot or log out/in and test your sound.

[vw98075]

This might work.

In the terminal type gksudo xed /etc/pulse/default.pa and in the file that opens, find the line that says load-module module-udev-detect Change the line to read:

Code: Select all

load-module module-udev-detect tsched=0

Now save the file, reboot or log out/in and test your sound.

I made the change and it doesn't help on solving the sound problem unfortunately.

[MrEen]

Okay. Time to get serious.

First, delete tsched=0 from that line, save the file and reboot or log out/in as it didn't help and could interfere later.

Next, start a video or song and in the terminal type pacmd list-sinks and copy the output to paste back here.

Lastly, unplug the DAC and plug your headphones into the computer directly then repeat the last step.

Paste the two outputs in the order you received them back here and also comment on the sound quality when the headphones weren't running from the DAC.

[vw98075]

Okay. Time to get serious.

First, delete tsched=0 from that line, save the file and reboot or log out/in as it didn't help and could interfere later.

Next, start a video or song and in the terminal type pacmd list-sinks and copy the output to paste back here.

Lastly, unplug the DAC and plug your headphones into the computer directly then repeat the last step.

Paste the two outputs in the order you received them back here and also comment on the sound quality when the headphones weren't running from the DAC.

With the DCA

Code: Select all

$ pacmd list-sinks
2 sink(s) available.
  * index: 0
	name: <alsa_output.usb-FiiO_FiiO_USB_DAC_K1-01.analog-stereo>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: RUNNING
	suspend cause: 
	priority: 9049
	volume: front-left: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB,   front-right: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	        balance 0.00
	base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: no
	current latency: 25.42 ms
	max request: 4 KiB
	max rewind: 344 KiB
	monitor source: 0
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 1
	linked by: 1
	configured latency: 25.00 ms; range is 0.50 .. 1837.50 ms
	card: 0 <alsa_card.usb-FiiO_FiiO_USB_DAC_K1-01>
	module: 6
	properties:
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.name = "USB Audio"
		alsa.id = "USB Audio"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.device = "0"
		alsa.card = "1"
		alsa.card_name = "FiiO USB DAC K1"
		alsa.long_card_name = "FiiO FiiO USB DAC K1 at usb-0000:00:1a.0-1.4, full speed"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_usb_audio"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1a.0-usb-0:1.4:1.1"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.0/usb1/1-1/1-1.4/1-1.4:1.1/sound/card1"
		udev.id = "usb-FiiO_FiiO_USB_DAC_K1-01"
		device.bus = "usb"
		device.vendor.id = "262a"
		device.vendor.name = "FiiO"
		device.product.id = "100c"
		device.product.name = "FiiO USB DAC K1"
		device.serial = "FiiO_FiiO_USB_DAC_K1"
		device.string = "front:1"
		device.buffering.buffer_size = "352800"
		device.buffering.fragment_size = "176400"
		device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
		device.profile.name = "analog-stereo"
		device.profile.description = "Analog Stereo"
		device.description = "FiiO USB DAC K1 Analog Stereo"
		alsa.mixer_name = "USB Mixer"
		alsa.components = "USB262a:100c"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-usb"
	ports:
		analog-output: Analog Output (priority 9900, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				
	active port: <analog-output>
    index: 1
	name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1b.0.hdmi-stereo>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: HARDWARE DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: SUSPENDED
	suspend cause: IDLE 
	priority: 9950
	volume: front-left: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB,   front-right: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	        balance 0.00
	base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: no
	current latency: 0.00 ms
	max request: 0 KiB
	max rewind: 0 KiB
	monitor source: 1
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 44100Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 0
	linked by: 0
	configured latency: 0.00 ms; range is 0.50 .. 371.52 ms
	card: 1 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1b.0>
	module: 7
	properties:
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.name = "Generic Digital"
		alsa.id = "Generic Digital"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.device = "3"
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel PCH"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel PCH at 0xf7d10000 irq 32"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1b.0"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1b.0/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "1e20"
		device.product.name = "7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family High Definition Audio Controller"
		device.form_factor = "internal"
		device.string = "hdmi:0"
		device.buffering.buffer_size = "65536"
		device.buffering.fragment_size = "32768"
		device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
		device.profile.name = "hdmi-stereo"
		device.profile.description = "Digital Stereo (HDMI)"
		device.description = "Built-in Audio Digital Stereo (HDMI)"
		alsa.mixer_name = "Realtek Generic"
		alsa.components = "HDA:10ec0662,10280576,00100300 HDA:80862806,10280576,00100000"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	ports:
		hdmi-output-0: HDMI / DisplayPort (priority 5900, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
	active port: <hdmi-output-0>

With a headphone only

Code: Select all

$ pacmd list-sinks
2 sink(s) available.
  * index: 0
	name: <alsa_output.usb-FiiO_FiiO_USB_DAC_K1-01.analog-stereo>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: RUNNING
	suspend cause: 
	priority: 9049
	volume: front-left: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB,   front-right: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	        balance 0.00
	base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: no
	current latency: 25.42 ms
	max request: 4 KiB
	max rewind: 344 KiB
	monitor source: 0
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 1
	linked by: 1
	configured latency: 25.00 ms; range is 0.50 .. 1837.50 ms
	card: 0 <alsa_card.usb-FiiO_FiiO_USB_DAC_K1-01>
	module: 6
	properties:
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.name = "USB Audio"
		alsa.id = "USB Audio"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.device = "0"
		alsa.card = "1"
		alsa.card_name = "FiiO USB DAC K1"
		alsa.long_card_name = "FiiO FiiO USB DAC K1 at usb-0000:00:1a.0-1.4, full speed"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_usb_audio"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1a.0-usb-0:1.4:1.1"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.0/usb1/1-1/1-1.4/1-1.4:1.1/sound/card1"
		udev.id = "usb-FiiO_FiiO_USB_DAC_K1-01"
		device.bus = "usb"
		device.vendor.id = "262a"
		device.vendor.name = "FiiO"
		device.product.id = "100c"
		device.product.name = "FiiO USB DAC K1"
		device.serial = "FiiO_FiiO_USB_DAC_K1"
		device.string = "front:1"
		device.buffering.buffer_size = "352800"
		device.buffering.fragment_size = "176400"
		device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
		device.profile.name = "analog-stereo"
		device.profile.description = "Analog Stereo"
		device.description = "FiiO USB DAC K1 Analog Stereo"
		alsa.mixer_name = "USB Mixer"
		alsa.components = "USB262a:100c"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-usb"
	ports:
		analog-output: Analog Output (priority 9900, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				
	active port: <analog-output>
    index: 1
	name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1b.0.hdmi-stereo>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: HARDWARE DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: SUSPENDED
	suspend cause: IDLE 
	priority: 9950
	volume: front-left: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB,   front-right: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	        balance 0.00
	base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: no
	current latency: 0.00 ms
	max request: 0 KiB
	max rewind: 0 KiB
	monitor source: 1
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 44100Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 0
	linked by: 0
	configured latency: 0.00 ms; range is 0.50 .. 371.52 ms
	card: 1 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1b.0>
	module: 7
	properties:
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.name = "Generic Digital"
		alsa.id = "Generic Digital"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.device = "3"
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel PCH"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel PCH at 0xf7d10000 irq 32"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1b.0"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1b.0/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "1e20"
		device.product.name = "7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family High Definition Audio Controller"
		device.form_factor = "internal"
		device.string = "hdmi:0"
		device.buffering.buffer_size = "65536"
		device.buffering.fragment_size = "32768"
		device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
		device.profile.name = "hdmi-stereo"
		device.profile.description = "Digital Stereo (HDMI)"
		device.description = "Built-in Audio Digital Stereo (HDMI)"
		alsa.mixer_name = "Realtek Generic"
		alsa.components = "HDA:10ec0662,10280576,00100300 HDA:80862806,10280576,00100000"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	ports:
		hdmi-output-0: HDMI / DisplayPort (priority 5900, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "video-display"
	active port: <hdmi-output-0>

When it is directly connected with a headphone, the sound is normal. The DCA is Fiio K1 which doesn't request a driver. I use the DCA on a laptop with Linux Mint 19 XFCE without any problem, just plug-n-play.

[MrEen]

I have a few observations and suggestions.

When it is directly connected with a headphone, the sound is normal.

A lot of people would say then use it this way. I understand you're looking for "better than normal" with this device, so I'll do my best to help you get it sorted.

I use the DCA on a laptop with Linux Mint 19 XFCE without any problem, just plug-n-play.

This might be telling. The big difference (regarding sound) between your two systems is the kernel. You might want to consider upgrading your kernel on Cinnamon and see if that fixes it. Keep in mind, something else might break if/when upgrading the kernel, but the forum is here to help with any issues that might cause.

One other thing I want you to try. If you haven't already, install PulseAudio Volume Control (pavucontrol) then run it. Go to the Configuration tab (farthest on the right if you don't see it) and select your device. Is there a Digital option available? Your output above shows name: <alsa_output.usb-FiiO_FiiO_USB_DAC_K1-01.analog-stereo> and as this device is a digital-to-analog converter, maybe it would sound better if it's fed digital audio. I'm not saying it will be an option, but if it is, it makes sense to me that it would be the better choice.

Good luck, and keep us informed.

[vw98075]

I have a few observations and suggestions.

When it is directly connected with a headphone, the sound is normal.

A lot of people would say then use it this way. I understand you're looking for "better than normal" with this device, so I'll do my best to help you get it sorted.

I use the DCA on a laptop with Linux Mint 19 XFCE without any problem, just plug-n-play.

This might be telling. The big difference (regarding sound) between your two systems is the kernel. You might want to consider upgrading your kernel on Cinnamon and see if that fixes it. Keep in mind, something else might break if/when upgrading the kernel, but the forum is here to help with any issues that might cause.

One other thing I want you to try. If you haven't already, install PulseAudio Volume Control (pavucontrol) then run it. Go to the Configuration tab (farthest on the right if you don't see it) and select your device. Is there a Digital option available? Your output above shows name: <alsa_output.usb-FiiO_FiiO_USB_DAC_K1-01.analog-stereo> and as this device is a digital-to-analog converter, maybe it would sound better if it's fed digital audio. I'm not saying it will be an option, but if it is, it makes sense to me that it would be the better choice.

Good luck, and keep us informed.

Thanks for your help.