No "input level" on headset microphone

[aldi]

Hi everyone!
Newbie here. I'm using Mint 20.1 Cinnamon on an Acer Aspire 5 and my laptop doesn't seem to detect any sound from my headset mic. I've checked other topics and googled extensively but almost every case had to do with the system not detecting the hardware entirely.

When I plug in the headset, I get sound in it and the system detects there's an input device (on the Sound app, I can see a "Headphones Stereo Microphone" option under Input), but the Input Level under the headset option is always zero even though the volume is set to 100% and it's not muted (I checked. Possibly too many times lol).

The laptop microphone works fine, and the headset mic also works fine when I use it with other devices. Is there any way to troubleshoot this or to manually get the system to recognize the sound coming from the headset microphone?

Here is what I'm working with, thanks a lot in advance!

Code: Select all

inxi -Fxxxrz
System:    Kernel: 5.8.0-40-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: N/A Desktop: Cinnamon 4.8.6 wm: muffin 4.8.1 
           dm: LightDM 1.30.0 Distro: Linux Mint 20.1 Ulyssa base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal 
Machine:   Type: Laptop System: Acer product: Aspire A515-56 v: V1.04 serial: <filter> 
           Mobo: TGL model: Iris_TL v: V1.04 serial: <filter> UEFI: Insyde v: 1.04 date: 11/02/2020 
Battery:   ID-1: BAT1 charge: 20.8 Wh condition: 46.9/47.9 Wh (98%) volts: 11.2/11.4 model: Murata AP18C4K 
           type: Li-ion serial: <filter> status: Discharging cycles: 25 
CPU:       Topology: Quad Core model: 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 bits: 64 type: MT MCP arch: Tiger Lake 
           rev: 1 L2 cache: 8192 KiB 
           flags: avx avx2 lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 38707 
           Speed: 1343 MHz min/max: 400/4200 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1386 2: 1416 3: 1378 4: 1376 5: 1375 
           6: 1392 7: 1388 8: 1380 
Graphics:  Device-1: Intel vendor: Acer Incorporated ALI driver: i915 v: kernel bus ID: 0000:00:02.0 
           chip ID: 8086:9a49 
           Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.9 driver: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa 
           resolution: 1920x1080~60Hz 
           OpenGL: renderer: Mesa Intel Xe Graphics (TGL GT2) v: 4.6 Mesa 20.2.6 direct render: Yes 
Audio:     Device-1: Intel vendor: Acer Incorporated ALI driver: sof-audio-pci bus ID: 0000:00:1f.3 
           chip ID: 8086:a0c8 
           Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.8.0-40-generic 
Network:   Device-1: Intel driver: iwlwifi v: kernel port: 4000 bus ID: 0000:00:14.3 chip ID: 8086:a0f0 
           IF: wlp0s20f3 state: up mac: <filter> 
           Device-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet vendor: Acer Incorporated ALI 
           driver: r8169 v: kernel port: 3000 bus ID: 0000:01:00.0 chip ID: 10ec:8168 
           IF: enp1s0 state: down mac: <filter> 
Drives:    Local Storage: total: 476.94 GiB used: 11.37 GiB (2.4%) 
           ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 vendor: Kingston model: OM8PCP3512F-AA size: 476.94 GiB speed: 31.6 Gb/s 
           lanes: 4 serial: <filter> rev: ECFK52.3 scheme: GPT 
RAID:      Hardware-1: Intel Volume Management Device NVMe RAID Controller driver: vmd v: 0.6 port: 4000 
           bus ID: 0000:00:0e.0 chip ID: 8086.9a0b rev: N/A 
Partition: ID-1: / size: 467.96 GiB used: 11.36 GiB (2.4%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 37.0 C mobo: N/A 
           Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A 
Repos:     No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list 
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list 
           1: deb http://packages.linuxmint.com ulyssa main upstream import backport
           2: deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal main restricted universe multiverse
           3: deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates main restricted universe multiverse
           4: deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
           5: deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-security main restricted universe multiverse
           6: deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ focal partner
           No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/spotify.list 
Info:      Processes: 266 Uptime: 2d 37m Memory: 15.44 GiB used: 2.80 GiB (18.1%) Init: systemd v: 245 
           runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 9.3.0 alt: 9 Shell: bash v: 5.0.17 running in: gnome-terminal 
           inxi: 3.0.38 

[MrEen]

Hi aldi,

Let's get a look at your sound setup with this command:

Code: Select all

curl https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/pulseaudio/pulseaudio/raw/master/src/utils/pa-info?inline=false | bash | nc termbin.com 9999

The last line of output will have a URL pointing to the info. Pasting that URL is all I need.

[aldi]

Hi MrEen,

I never got the notification of this reply! Sorry for the delay.

Here's the output URL:
https://termbin.com/drcm

Thank you in advance for any guidance!

[MrEen]

Try this in the terminal then test the Headset Mic:

Code: Select all

pacmd set-default-source alsa_input.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp__source

[MrEen]

I never got the notification of this reply! Sorry for the delay.

Probably because I didn't quote your post. No worries anyway.

[aldi]

Try this in the terminal then test the Headset Mic:

Code: Select all

pacmd set-default-source alsa_input.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp__source

Just tried it and no change, the input level remains the same.

[MrEen]

Let's see pacmd list-sources please.

[aldi]

Let's see pacmd list-sources please.

Here's the output:

Code: Select all

$ pacmd list-sources
6 source(s) available.
    index: 0
	name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp_5__sink.monitor>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: SUSPENDED
	suspend cause: IDLE
	priority: 1030
	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 rewind: 0 KiB
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 0
	linked by: 0
	configured latency: 0,00 ms; range is 0,50 .. 341,00 ms
	monitor_of: 0
	card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic>
	module: 7
	properties:
		device.description = "Monitor of sof-hda-dsp HDMI3/DP3 Output"
		device.class = "monitor"
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "sof-hda-dsp"
		alsa.long_card_name = "TGL-AspireA515_56-V1.04-Iris_TL"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_soc_skl_hda_dsp"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/skl_hda_dsp_generic/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "a0c8"
		device.string = "0"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
    index: 1
	name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp_4__sink.monitor>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: SUSPENDED
	suspend cause: IDLE
	priority: 1030
	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 rewind: 0 KiB
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 0
	linked by: 0
	configured latency: 0,00 ms; range is 0,50 .. 341,00 ms
	monitor_of: 1
	card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic>
	module: 7
	properties:
		device.description = "Monitor of sof-hda-dsp HDMI2/DP2 Output"
		device.class = "monitor"
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "sof-hda-dsp"
		alsa.long_card_name = "TGL-AspireA515_56-V1.04-Iris_TL"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_soc_skl_hda_dsp"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/skl_hda_dsp_generic/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "a0c8"
		device.string = "0"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
    index: 2
	name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp_3__sink.monitor>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: SUSPENDED
	suspend cause: IDLE
	priority: 1030
	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 rewind: 0 KiB
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 0
	linked by: 0
	configured latency: 0,00 ms; range is 0,50 .. 341,00 ms
	monitor_of: 2
	card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic>
	module: 7
	properties:
		device.description = "Monitor of sof-hda-dsp HDMI1/DP1 Output"
		device.class = "monitor"
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "sof-hda-dsp"
		alsa.long_card_name = "TGL-AspireA515_56-V1.04-Iris_TL"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_soc_skl_hda_dsp"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/skl_hda_dsp_generic/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "a0c8"
		device.string = "0"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
    index: 3
	name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp__sink.monitor>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: IDLE
	suspend cause: (none)
	priority: 1030
	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 rewind: 6 KiB
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 0
	linked by: 0
	configured latency: 341,00 ms; range is 36,00 .. 341,00 ms
	monitor_of: 3
	card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic>
	module: 7
	properties:
		device.description = "Monitor of sof-hda-dsp Speaker + Headphones"
		device.class = "monitor"
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "sof-hda-dsp"
		alsa.long_card_name = "TGL-AspireA515_56-V1.04-Iris_TL"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_soc_skl_hda_dsp"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/skl_hda_dsp_generic/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "a0c8"
		device.string = "0"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
  * index: 4
	name: <alsa_input.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp__source>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: HARDWARE DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: RUNNING
	suspend cause: (none)
	priority: 9032
	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: 0,30 ms
	max rewind: 0 KiB
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 1
	linked by: 1
	configured latency: 40,00 ms; range is 0,50 .. 341,00 ms
	card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic>
	module: 7
	properties:
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.name = ""
		alsa.id = "HDA Analog (*)"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.device = "0"
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "sof-hda-dsp"
		alsa.long_card_name = "TGL-AspireA515_56-V1.04-Iris_TL"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_soc_skl_hda_dsp"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/skl_hda_dsp_generic/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "a0c8"
		device.string = "hw:sofhdadsp"
		device.buffering.buffer_size = "65472"
		device.buffering.fragment_size = "16320"
		device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
		device.profile.name = "HiFi: hw:sofhdadsp: source"
		device.profile.description = "Headphones Stereo Microphone"
		alsa.mixer_device = "hw:sofhdadsp"
		device.description = "sof-hda-dsp Headphones Stereo Microphone"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	ports:
		[In] Mic2: Headphones Stereo Microphone (priority 200, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				
	active port: <[In] Mic2>
    index: 5
	name: <alsa_input.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp_6__source>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: SUSPENDED
	suspend cause: IDLE
	priority: 9031
	volume: front-left: 47032 /  72% / -8,65 dB,   front-right: 47032 /  72% / -8,65 dB
	        balance 0,00
	base volume: 30419 /  46% / -20,00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: no
	current latency: 0,00 ms
	max rewind: 0 KiB
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 0
	linked by: 0
	configured latency: 0,00 ms; range is 0,50 .. 341,00 ms
	card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic>
	module: 7
	properties:
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.name = ""
		alsa.id = "DMIC (*)"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.device = "6"
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "sof-hda-dsp"
		alsa.long_card_name = "TGL-AspireA515_56-V1.04-Iris_TL"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_soc_skl_hda_dsp"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/skl_hda_dsp_generic/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "a0c8"
		device.string = "hw:sofhdadsp,6"
		device.buffering.buffer_size = "65472"
		device.buffering.fragment_size = "16320"
		device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
		device.profile.name = "HiFi: hw:sofhdadsp,6: source"
		device.profile.description = "Digital Microphone"
		alsa.mixer_device = "hw:sofhdadsp"
		device.description = "sof-hda-dsp Digital Microphone"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	ports:
		[In] Mic1: Digital Microphone (priority 100, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				
	active port: <[In] Mic1>

[MrEen]

Output looks good. Maybe the mic isn't stereo. Using PulseAudio Volume Control click on the lock icon on the Input Devices tab and lower the right channel slider all the way to zero then test the mic.