How can I improve the sound quality?

Forum rules
Before you post read how to get help. Topics in this forum are automatically closed 6 months after creation.
fffrost
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 3:20 pm

How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by fffrost »

Hi, I'm trying to get my sound to improve but don't exactly know where to start. I know that it should be possible because I'm on a dual boot and the sound is amazing on Windows. But Linux is sounding like an old phone that's been flushed down the toilet a couple of times. I'm quite new to linux, and don't know a lot about sound either. I just want it to sound as it does when I switch over to windows.

I've tried looking for sound drivers and searching for anything relating to this and the laptop model I'm on (Dell XPS 15 9510), but can't seem to find much.

I'm on Linux Mint 20.2 Cinnamon. Here is my inxi output:

Code: Select all

System:
  Kernel: 5.11.0-34-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: N/A 
  Desktop: Cinnamon 5.0.5 wm: muffin 5.0.1 dm: LightDM 1.30.0 
  Distro: Linux Mint 20.2 Uma base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal 
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: Dell product: XPS 15 9510 v: N/A serial: <filter> 
  Chassis: type: 10 serial: <filter> 
  Mobo: Dell model: 01V4T3 v: A00 serial: <filter> UEFI: Dell v: 1.4.0 
  date: 07/23/2021 
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 84.3 Wh condition: 84.3/84.3 Wh (100%) volts: 13.1/11.4 
  model: BYD DELL M59JH14 type: Li-poly serial: <filter> status: Full 
CPU:
  Topology: 8-Core model: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11800H bits: 64 
  type: MT MCP arch: N/A L2 cache: 24.0 MiB 
  flags: avx avx2 lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx 
  bogomips: 73728 
  Speed: 1075 MHz min/max: 800/4600 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1066 2: 1073 
  3: 1045 4: 1127 5: 1039 6: 1072 7: 2378 8: 1068 9: 1752 10: 1170 11: 1128 
  12: 1052 13: 1007 14: 1196 15: 1217 16: 1338 
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel vendor: Dell driver: i915 v: kernel bus ID: 0000:00:02.0 
  chip ID: 8086:9a60 
  Device-2: NVIDIA vendor: Dell driver: nvidia v: 470.63.01 
  bus ID: 0000:01:00.0 chip ID: 10de:25a0 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.11 driver: modesetting,nvidia 
  unloaded: fbdev,nouveau,vesa resolution: 1920x1200~60Hz 
  OpenGL: renderer: Mesa Intel UHD Graphics (TGL GT1) v: 4.6 Mesa 21.0.3 
  direct render: Yes 
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel vendor: Dell driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel 
  bus ID: 0000:00:1f.3 chip ID: 8086:43c8 
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.11.0-34-generic 
Network:
  Device-1: Intel vendor: Bigfoot Networks driver: iwlwifi v: kernel 
  port: 4000 bus ID: 0000:00:14.3 chip ID: 8086:43f0 
  IF: wlp0s20f3 state: up mac: <filter> 
  IF-ID-1: docker0 state: down mac: <filter> 
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 953.87 GiB used: 30.67 GiB (3.2%) 
  ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 vendor: Samsung model: PM9A1 NVMe 1024GB 
  size: 953.87 GiB speed: 31.6 Gb/s lanes: 4 serial: <filter> rev: 36304029 
  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: 114.85 GiB used: 30.58 GiB (26.6%) fs: ext4 
  dev: /dev/nvme0n1p7 
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 39.0 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/brave-browser-release.list 
  1: deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg arch=amd64] https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/ stable main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/deadsnakes-ppa-focal.list 
  1: deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/deadsnakes/ppa/ubuntu focal main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list 
  1: deb http://packages.linuxmint.com uma main upstream import backport #id:linuxmint_main
  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
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/sublime-text.list 
  1: deb https://download.sublimetext.com/ apt/stable/
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vscode.list 
  1: deb [arch=amd64,arm64,armhf] http://packages.microsoft.com/repos/code stable main
Info:
  Processes: 365 Uptime: 21m Memory: 15.36 GiB used: 2.48 GiB (16.1%) 
  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
I checked in the sound settings gui and the subwoofer is greyed out and the only option is analogue stereo output. Any ideas appreciated!
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
User avatar
Pjotr
Level 23
Level 23
Posts: 19927
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2011 10:18 am
Location: The Netherlands (Holland) 🇳🇱
Contact:

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by Pjotr »

Tip: 10 things to do after installing Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia
Keep your Linux Mint healthy: Avoid these 10 fatal mistakes
Twitter: twitter.com/easylinuxtips
All in all, horse sense simply makes sense.
fffrost
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 3:20 pm

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by fffrost »

Pjotr wrote: Thu Sep 16, 2021 6:02 pm Try this:
https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.c ... html#ID8.1
(item 8.1)
Thanks, I tried it just now but it didn't seem to change anything. Subwoofer option still greyed out and sound as it was. Any other ideas? Here is the output of the command, in case there is something useful in that:

Code: Select all

Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
The following additional packages will be installed:
  linux-headers-5.13.0-1012-oem linux-headers-oem-20.04c
  linux-image-5.13.0-1012-oem linux-image-oem-20.04c
  linux-modules-5.13.0-1012-oem linux-oem-5.13-headers-5.13.0-1012
Suggested packages:
  fdutils linux-oem-5.13-tools linux-modules-extra-5.13.0-1012-oem
The following NEW packages will be installed
  linux-headers-5.13.0-1012-oem linux-headers-oem-20.04c
  linux-image-5.13.0-1012-oem linux-image-oem-20.04c
  linux-modules-5.13.0-1012-oem linux-oem-20.04c
  linux-oem-5.13-headers-5.13.0-1012
0 to upgrade, 7 to newly install, 0 to remove and 0 not to upgrade.
Need to get 82.3 MB of archives.
After this operation, 415 MB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] 
Get:1 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main amd64 linux-oem-5.13-headers-5.13.0-1012 all 5.13.0-1012.16 [11.7 MB]
Get:2 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main amd64 linux-headers-5.13.0-1012-oem amd64 5.13.0-1012.16 [1,419 kB]
Get:3 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main amd64 linux-headers-oem-20.04c amd64 5.13.0.1012.16 [2,408 B]
Get:4 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main amd64 linux-modules-5.13.0-1012-oem amd64 5.13.0-1012.16 [59.2 MB]
Get:5 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main amd64 linux-image-5.13.0-1012-oem amd64 5.13.0-1012.16 [9,887 kB]
Get:6 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main amd64 linux-image-oem-20.04c amd64 5.13.0.1012.16 [2,476 B]
Get:7 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main amd64 linux-oem-20.04c amd64 5.13.0.1012.16 [1,908 B]
Fetched 82.3 MB in 6s (13.5 MB/s)                                              
Selecting previously unselected package linux-oem-5.13-headers-5.13.0-1012.
(Reading database ... 369099 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack .../0-linux-oem-5.13-headers-5.13.0-1012_5.13.0-1012.16_all.deb ...
Unpacking linux-oem-5.13-headers-5.13.0-1012 (5.13.0-1012.16) ...
Selecting previously unselected package linux-headers-5.13.0-1012-oem.
Preparing to unpack .../1-linux-headers-5.13.0-1012-oem_5.13.0-1012.16_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linux-headers-5.13.0-1012-oem (5.13.0-1012.16) ...
Selecting previously unselected package linux-headers-oem-20.04c.
Preparing to unpack .../2-linux-headers-oem-20.04c_5.13.0.1012.16_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linux-headers-oem-20.04c (5.13.0.1012.16) ...
Selecting previously unselected package linux-modules-5.13.0-1012-oem.
Preparing to unpack .../3-linux-modules-5.13.0-1012-oem_5.13.0-1012.16_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linux-modules-5.13.0-1012-oem (5.13.0-1012.16) ...
Selecting previously unselected package linux-image-5.13.0-1012-oem.
Preparing to unpack .../4-linux-image-5.13.0-1012-oem_5.13.0-1012.16_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linux-image-5.13.0-1012-oem (5.13.0-1012.16) ...
Selecting previously unselected package linux-image-oem-20.04c.
Preparing to unpack .../5-linux-image-oem-20.04c_5.13.0.1012.16_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linux-image-oem-20.04c (5.13.0.1012.16) ...
Selecting previously unselected package linux-oem-20.04c.
Preparing to unpack .../6-linux-oem-20.04c_5.13.0.1012.16_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linux-oem-20.04c (5.13.0.1012.16) ...
Setting up linux-oem-5.13-headers-5.13.0-1012 (5.13.0-1012.16) ...
Setting up linux-headers-5.13.0-1012-oem (5.13.0-1012.16) ...
/etc/kernel/header_postinst.d/dkms:
 * dkms: running auto installation service for kernel 5.13.0-1012-oem

Kernel preparation unnecessary for this kernel.  Skipping...
applying patch disable_fstack-clash-protection_fcf-protection.patch...patching file Kbuild
Hunk #1 succeeded at 82 (offset 11 lines).


Building module:
cleaning build area...
unset ARCH; [ ! -h /usr/bin/cc ] && export CC=/usr/bin/gcc; env NV_VERBOSE=1 'make' -j16 NV_EXCLUDE_BUILD_MODULES='' KERNEL_UNAME=5.13.0-1012-oem IGNORE_XEN_PRESENCE=1 IGNORE_CC_MISMATCH=1 SYSSRC=/lib/modules/5.13.0-1012-oem/build LD=/usr/bin/ld.bfd modules.......
Signing module:
 - /var/lib/dkms/nvidia/470.63.01/5.13.0-1012-oem/x86_64/module/nvidia.ko
 - /var/lib/dkms/nvidia/470.63.01/5.13.0-1012-oem/x86_64/module/nvidia-drm.ko
 - /var/lib/dkms/nvidia/470.63.01/5.13.0-1012-oem/x86_64/module/nvidia-peermem.ko
 - /var/lib/dkms/nvidia/470.63.01/5.13.0-1012-oem/x86_64/module/nvidia-uvm.ko
 - /var/lib/dkms/nvidia/470.63.01/5.13.0-1012-oem/x86_64/module/nvidia-modeset.ko
Nothing to do.
cleaning build area...

DKMS: build completed.

nvidia.ko:
Running module version sanity check.
 - Original module
   - No original module exists within this kernel
 - Installation
   - Installing to /lib/modules/5.13.0-1012-oem/kernel/drivers/char/drm/

nvidia-modeset.ko:
Running module version sanity check.
 - Original module
   - No original module exists within this kernel
 - Installation
   - Installing to /lib/modules/5.13.0-1012-oem/kernel/drivers/char/drm/

nvidia-drm.ko:
Running module version sanity check.
 - Original module
   - No original module exists within this kernel
 - Installation
   - Installing to /lib/modules/5.13.0-1012-oem/kernel/drivers/char/drm/

nvidia-uvm.ko:
Running module version sanity check.
 - Original module
   - No original module exists within this kernel
 - Installation
   - Installing to /lib/modules/5.13.0-1012-oem/kernel/drivers/char/drm/

nvidia-peermem.ko:
Running module version sanity check.
 - Original module
   - No original module exists within this kernel
 - Installation
   - Installing to /lib/modules/5.13.0-1012-oem/kernel/drivers/char/drm/

depmod...

DKMS: install completed.
   ...done.
Setting up linux-headers-oem-20.04c (5.13.0.1012.16) ...
Setting up linux-modules-5.13.0-1012-oem (5.13.0-1012.16) ...
Setting up linux-image-5.13.0-1012-oem (5.13.0-1012.16) ...
I: /boot/vmlinuz.old is now a symlink to vmlinuz-5.11.0-34-generic
I: /boot/initrd.img.old is now a symlink to initrd.img-5.11.0-34-generic
I: /boot/vmlinuz is now a symlink to vmlinuz-5.13.0-1012-oem
I: /boot/initrd.img is now a symlink to initrd.img-5.13.0-1012-oem
Setting up linux-image-oem-20.04c (5.13.0.1012.16) ...
Setting up linux-oem-20.04c (5.13.0.1012.16) ...
Processing triggers for linux-image-5.13.0-1012-oem (5.13.0-1012.16) ...
/etc/kernel/postinst.d/dkms:
 * dkms: running auto installation service for kernel 5.13.0-1012-oem
   ...done.
/etc/kernel/postinst.d/initramfs-tools:
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-5.13.0-1012-oem
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/skl_guc_49.0.1.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/bxt_guc_49.0.1.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/kbl_guc_49.0.1.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/glk_guc_49.0.1.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/kbl_guc_49.0.1.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/kbl_guc_49.0.1.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/cml_guc_49.0.1.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/icl_guc_49.0.1.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/ehl_guc_49.0.1.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/ehl_guc_49.0.1.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/tgl_huc_7.5.0.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/tgl_guc_49.0.1.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/tgl_huc_7.5.0.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/tgl_guc_49.0.1.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/tgl_huc_7.5.0.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/tgl_guc_49.0.1.bin for module i915
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915/dg1_dmc_ver2_02.bin for module i915
/etc/kernel/postinst.d/zz-update-grub:
Sourcing file `/etc/default/grub'
Sourcing file `/etc/default/grub.d/50_linuxmint.cfg'
Sourcing file `/etc/default/grub.d/init-select.cfg'
Generating grub configuration file ...
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-5.13.0-1012-oem
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-5.13.0-1012-oem
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-5.11.0-34-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-5.11.0-34-generic
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-5.4.0-84-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-5.4.0-84-generic
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-5.4.0-74-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-5.4.0-74-generic
Found Windows Boot Manager on /dev/nvme0n1p1@/EFI/Microsoft/Boot/bootmgfw.efi
Adding boot menu entry for UEFI Firmware Settings
done
And output of the inxi -Fxxxrz after a restart:

Code: Select all

System:
  Kernel: 5.13.0-1012-oem x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: N/A 
  Desktop: Cinnamon 5.0.5 wm: muffin 5.0.1 dm: LightDM 1.30.0 
  Distro: Linux Mint 20.2 Uma base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal 
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: Dell product: XPS 15 9510 v: N/A serial: <filter> 
  Chassis: type: 10 serial: <filter> 
  Mobo: Dell model: 01V4T3 v: A00 serial: <filter> UEFI: Dell v: 1.4.0 
  date: 07/23/2021 
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 80.3 Wh condition: 84.3/84.3 Wh (100%) volts: 12.6/11.4 
  model: BYD DELL M59JH14 type: Li-poly serial: <filter> status: Discharging 
CPU:
  Topology: 8-Core model: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11800H bits: 64 
  type: MT MCP arch: N/A L2 cache: 24.0 MiB 
  flags: avx avx2 lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx 
  bogomips: 73728 
  Speed: 957 MHz min/max: 800/4600 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1057 2: 1145 
  3: 842 4: 795 5: 1130 6: 1070 7: 1138 8: 1017 9: 833 10: 786 11: 1297 
  12: 801 13: 1125 14: 1171 15: 1042 16: 823 
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel vendor: Dell driver: i915 v: kernel bus ID: 0000:00:02.0 
  chip ID: 8086:9a60 
  Device-2: NVIDIA vendor: Dell driver: nvidia v: 470.63.01 
  bus ID: 0000:01:00.0 chip ID: 10de:25a0 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.11 driver: modesetting,nvidia 
  unloaded: fbdev,nouveau,vesa resolution: 1920x1200~60Hz 
  OpenGL: renderer: Mesa Intel UHD Graphics (TGL GT1) v: 4.6 Mesa 21.0.3 
  direct render: Yes 
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel vendor: Dell driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel 
  bus ID: 0000:00:1f.3 chip ID: 8086:43c8 
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.13.0-1012-oem 
Network:
  Device-1: Intel vendor: Bigfoot Networks driver: iwlwifi v: kernel 
  port: 4000 bus ID: 0000:00:14.3 chip ID: 8086:43f0 
  IF: wlp0s20f3 state: up mac: <filter> 
  IF-ID-1: docker0 state: down mac: <filter> 
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 953.87 GiB used: 31.38 GiB (3.3%) 
  ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 vendor: Samsung model: PM9A1 NVMe 1024GB 
  size: 953.87 GiB speed: 31.6 Gb/s lanes: 4 serial: <filter> rev: 36304029 
  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: 114.85 GiB used: 31.29 GiB (27.2%) fs: ext4 
  dev: /dev/nvme0n1p7 
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 34.0 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/brave-browser-release.list 
  1: deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg arch=amd64] https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/ stable main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/deadsnakes-ppa-focal.list 
  1: deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/deadsnakes/ppa/ubuntu focal main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list 
  1: deb http://packages.linuxmint.com uma main upstream import backport #id:linuxmint_main
  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
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/sublime-text.list 
  1: deb https://download.sublimetext.com/ apt/stable/
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vscode.list 
  1: deb [arch=amd64,arm64,armhf] http://packages.microsoft.com/repos/code stable main
Info:
  Processes: 362 Uptime: 6m Memory: 15.36 GiB used: 2.02 GiB (13.2%) 
  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
User avatar
Pjotr
Level 23
Level 23
Posts: 19927
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2011 10:18 am
Location: The Netherlands (Holland) 🇳🇱
Contact:

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by Pjotr »

It's a pity that the newer drivers didn't help (drivers are in the kernel).... It's a long shot, but you might also try a BIOS update (if there is one available).
Tip: 10 things to do after installing Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia
Keep your Linux Mint healthy: Avoid these 10 fatal mistakes
Twitter: twitter.com/easylinuxtips
All in all, horse sense simply makes sense.
fffrost
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 3:20 pm

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by fffrost »

Pjotr wrote: Fri Sep 17, 2021 3:42 am It's a pity that the newer drivers didn't help (drivers are in the kernel).... It's a long shot, but you might also try a BIOS update (if there is one available).
Ok thanks, I'll give it a shot and report back. Although the laptop is only slightly older than 1 week and it's possible I already tried a BIOS update when trying to set up mint. Maybe it's heresy to suggest this on a mint forum, but do you think moving to Ubuntu would mean that this sort of thing is more stable? Not sure what it means that Mint is based off of Ubuntu in terms of these sorts of issues...
User avatar
Pjotr
Level 23
Level 23
Posts: 19927
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2011 10:18 am
Location: The Netherlands (Holland) 🇳🇱
Contact:

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by Pjotr »

fffrost wrote: Fri Sep 17, 2021 4:31 am do you think moving to Ubuntu would mean that this sort of thing is more stable? Not sure what it means that Mint is based off of Ubuntu in terms of these sorts of issues...
That's highly unlikely to make any difference in this case.... Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu LTS; in fact, it's about 99 % pure Ubuntu. It's running on Ubuntu kernels.

There appears to be a BIOS update for your machine:
https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us ... top&lwp=rt

However, the changelog doesn't mention anything that pertains to your issue. Yet you might still want to give it a try; you do need to apply the BIOS update in Windows, though.

All in all, I think the most likely solution is an even newer kernel. Which isn't available yet, so I'm afraid you'll have to wait for that....
Tip: 10 things to do after installing Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia
Keep your Linux Mint healthy: Avoid these 10 fatal mistakes
Twitter: twitter.com/easylinuxtips
All in all, horse sense simply makes sense.
h2-1
Level 4
Level 4
Posts: 293
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2010 4:02 pm
Contact:

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by h2-1 »

I suspect the configurations are not right, an intel sound chip isn't going to sound awful in linux and great in windows unless something is set incorrectly somewhere. Check all relevant areas in for example pulse audio control, I'm going to guess your output is overloading. Also alsamixer shows it very nicely via command line, if you see any red in the output bar, it's very likely you are simply massively overloading the output and causing digital distortions, which is what you seem to be describing.

alsamixer may have more than one bar, if any are red, you have to navigate to it using your left/right buttons, then lower it using down button, until the last red bit disappears, but no lower.

Digital audio doesn't tolerate overloading the signal, it results in exactly what you describe,horrible sounding audio, to a degree that isn't driver related, it's just how digital audio works. I can make my high end DAC card sound terrible too by overdriving the output.

There's also some other configurations, easiest way to get to them is via pulse audio control item, which define what type of audio is going out, but if you don't know audio those will be hard to explain, the simpler way to describe it is try various Configuration types, if any result in no audio signal, that's not the right one.

The 'Output Devices' tab also has a level slider, but that one isn't as nice as the alsamixer one because it doesn't show you if it's overloading with a red bar, but you can also slide that up and down and see if the distortions go away when you drop the output level. The Configuration item has a bunch of different output options, they vary sound card to sound card so I can't tell you what yours has, but my suspicion is it's on the wrong one, which is why you are not seeing your sub available.
rene
Level 20
Level 20
Posts: 12240
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2016 6:58 pm

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by rene »

See https://github.com/kristinpaget/xps-15-9510-audio/.

That patch is present in upstream 5.14.6 as per https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/ke ... ?h=v5.14.6 (search for "a61") and as such poster should be able to grab and install a kernel from the Ubuntu mainline PPA. I.e., from https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.14.6/ grab the four packages, in that order,

https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/m ... 32_all.deb
https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/m ... _amd64.deb
https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/m ... _amd64.deb
https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/m ... _amd64.deb

Unfortunately when I quickly try on 20.2 I run into a libc6 >= 2.3.4 dependency which I really don't feel like figuring out right now; was doing something else. Still hope above is useful.
t42
Level 11
Level 11
Posts: 3717
Joined: Mon Jan 20, 2014 6:48 pm

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by t42 »

rene wrote: Sat Sep 18, 2021 3:55 pm a libc6 >= 2.3.4 dependency
It started this May and TuxInvader built a container for building mainline kernels

https:/ /launchpad. net/~tuxinvader /+archive/ ubuntu/ lts-mainline
Bug #1926938 comment #11
-=t42=-
rene
Level 20
Level 20
Posts: 12240
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2016 6:58 pm

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by rene »

I see; thanks for checking.

OP: You can from by t42 found PPA https://launchpad.net/~tuxinvader/+arch ... s-mainline install kernel 5.14, currently 5.14.5 which has the needed patch, with the three commands

Code: Select all

$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tuxinvader/lts-mainline
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install linux-generic-5.14
I've quickly tested and all looks good. If you reboot after that you'll probably have better sounding audio.

[EDIT] Note; typo "linux-generio-5.14" edited...
Last edited by rene on Tue Sep 21, 2021 8:20 pm, edited 2 times in total.
rene
Level 20
Level 20
Posts: 12240
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2016 6:58 pm

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by rene »

In this case it's a matter of the subwoofer not being enabled by the driver. OP has gone MIA so no confirm but see above link to kristinpaget's description.
User avatar
absque fenestris
Level 12
Level 12
Posts: 4124
Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2016 8:42 pm
Location: Confoederatio Helvetica

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by absque fenestris »

As for MIA - is there actually a memorial somewhere for the Unknown Linux User?
fffrost
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 3:20 pm

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by fffrost »

Apologies for the MIA, but thanks for all of the help with this in the mean time.

I just tried these commands:
rene wrote: Sat Sep 18, 2021 9:40 pm

Code: Select all

$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tuxinvader/lts-mainline
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install linux-generic-5.14
[EDIT] Note; typo "linux-generio-5.14" edited...
After reboot when I select Mint from the boot menu, the next screen tells me:

Code: Select all

error: /boot/vmlinuz-5.14-051406 has invalid signature.
error: you need to load the kernel first.

Press any key to continue...
And then it takes me back to the boot menu. Was I supposed to do something before this? Also, I'm not quite sure how to get back in. Does anyone have any idea? :lol: Maybe we had better start arranging a memorial!

On a side note, I'm assuming the /boot/vmlinuz... is actually not a typo in the source code..... :D
rene
Level 20
Level 20
Posts: 12240
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2016 6:58 pm

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by rene »

Congratulations; you managed to present the first instance that has ever caused "me" an actual problem with secure boot, in the sense that I didn't even think about mentioning it and now have to...

Yes; the kernel you installed is due to Ubuntu having fubared its mainline kernel builds for LTS not an "official" Ubuntu kernel and as such not cryptographically signed by them. You then moreover seemingly have secure boot enabled in your BIOS which amounts to you saying that you in fact insist on said signage.

You can just disable secure boot in your BIOS (and no, that's not "insecure") to boot that kernel. In the future if you dual-boot with Windows 11 or are on the inevitable future system where you can not disable it any more that would be a bigger problem, but for now even Microsoft is gracious enough to allow you to boot your computer with an operating system of your own choosing.

I.e., I'd quite advise disabling secure boot in your BIOS, and you'll need to to boot that specific kernel.

Generally, to boot any installed kernel, you boot into the Grub menu (if you dual-boot you get it automatically, otherwise after tapping Esc at the point the boot transitions from BIOS to disk) and choose another/previous kernel from the "Advanced options" sub-menu.

Sorry-ish for not mentioning it immediately. But blame Microsoft first and foremost...
fffrost
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 3:20 pm

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by fffrost »

rene wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 7:08 am Congratulations; you managed to present the first instance that has ever caused "me" an actual problem with secure boot, in the sense that I didn't even think about mentioning it and now have to...

Yes; the kernel you installed is due to Ubuntu having fubared its mainline kernel builds for LTS not an "official" Ubuntu kernel and as such not cryptographically signed by them. You then moreover seemingly have secure boot enabled in your BIOS which amounts to you saying that you in fact insist on said signage.

You can just disable secure boot in your BIOS (and no, that's not "insecure") to boot that kernel. In the future if you dual-boot with Windows 11 or are on the inevitable future system where you can not disable it any more that would be a bigger problem, but for now even Microsoft is gracious enough to allow you to boot your computer with an operating system of your own choosing.

I.e., I'd quite advise disabling secure boot in your BIOS, and you'll need to to boot that specific kernel.

Generally, to boot any installed kernel, you boot into the Grub menu (if you dual-boot you get it automatically, otherwise after tapping Esc at the point the boot transitions from BIOS to disk) and choose another/previous kernel from the "Advanced options" sub-menu.

Sorry-ish for not mentioning it immediately. But blame Microsoft first and foremost...
I see! Well I disabled secure boot now and it got me back in so thanks for that. However, in the sound settings it still has both fade and subwoofer options greyed out. I believe there is now an extra option for output profile to be set to Analogue Stereo Output (as it was before) or to Analogue Surround 4.0 Output. If I change to the latter, it brings the fade slider to life but still not the subwoofer. In any case, the sound doesn't appear to have changed since before updating, nor does changing the settings cause any noticeable difference.
rene
Level 20
Level 20
Posts: 12240
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2016 6:58 pm

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by rene »

That's unfortunate. Certainly https://github.com/kristinpaget/xps-15-9510-audio/ made it sound like that would be all you need; she's talking about your exact model. I would have otherwise no idea; if you have a GitHub account maybe you can contact her through that?
fffrost
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 3:20 pm

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by fffrost »

That's a shame! Just so I'm sure, did you mean it should be enough to run those 3 commands only?:
rene wrote: Sat Sep 18, 2021 9:40 pm

Code: Select all

$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tuxinvader/lts-mainline
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install linux-generic-5.14
Or was I supposed to do something with these too?:
rene wrote: Sat Sep 18, 2021 3:55 pm See https://github.com/kristinpaget/xps-15-9510-audio/.

That patch is present in upstream 5.14.6 as per https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/ke ... ?h=v5.14.6 (search for "a61") and as such poster should be able to grab and install a kernel from the Ubuntu mainline PPA. I.e., from https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.14.6/ grab the four packages, in that order,

https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/m ... 32_all.deb
https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/m ... _amd64.deb
https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/m ... _amd64.deb
https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/m ... _amd64.deb

Unfortunately when I quickly try on 20.2 I run into a libc6 >= 2.3.4 dependency which I really don't feel like figuring out right now; was doing something else. Still hope above is useful.
I guess I'll see if I can contact her in that case. Thanks for the help!
rene
Level 20
Level 20
Posts: 12240
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2016 6:58 pm

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by rene »

Those first three only were correct indeed; it was only about having you install and boot into a new enough kernel to have support for your explicit system (which through that linked patch in this case only amounts to telling the existing Linux driver that your hardware specifically needs your subwoofer enabled). You having booted into it and now seeing a 4-channel output supposedly means that's in fact also all fine, but things then not "Just Working" likes/needs someone with your actual hardware --- at the very least if pavucontrol "still" doesn't help.

"Still" in quotes in the sense that I was sure that this thread had already mentioned that but not in fact seeing it on review. So, first thing you can still try is sudo apt-get install pavucontrol and try if you can now enable the suboofer through there somewhere. If not I've indeed nothing other than contacting Kirstin left to advise...
User avatar
rossdv8
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 1739
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2014 4:48 am
Location: Within 2,000 kilometres of Alice Springs, Australia
Contact:

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by rossdv8 »

I do NOT use Mint Cinnamon. I use Xfce. SO I don't have your identical problem, but it took me some tweaking to get nice rich full range sound from Mint..
Ok, with that out of the way, and because I do mess around with audio stuff a lot.

My suggestion is to not only install Pulse Audio Volume Control sudo apt install pavucontrol but to do some reading about its settings, then explore them - especially the tabs for:

Playback :- Which will only show 'System Sounds until you actually have something playing. You CAN use the volume area above 100%, but be gentle because that can lead to distortion.

Output Devices:- This should show if you have something plugged into the 3.5mm Headphone socket or to the HDMI digital output ( many sound bars).

Recording :- Obvious
Input Devices :- also obvious

Configuration :- Check BOTH Built-in Audio Profiles. One is for your 3.5mm Audio socket, and the other is for HDMI out. For example, all my digital (HDMI) stuff lists 'surround options' with a Sub Woofer, but my systems with Sub Woofers are Analog and do not show as surround.

Mine is even more different because I use Bluetooth to send audio to my speakers, and I play everything using VNC to connect and control a media PC.

You should also make sure Alsa Mixer is installed sudo apt install alsamixer and read a little about it. It is handy for diagnosing stuff, even if its interface looks like it came out of the Ark ( it did !!).
Here;s some cryptic info about how to use Alsamixer:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Audio/Alsamixer

The link here is about an Optical link to Audio - but it might give a better understanding of how to use Alsamixer:
viewtopic.php?t=296634

The next little tool that can be handy is to install Pulse Effects sudo apt install pulseeffects

This is something else that requires some googling and reading. However it is well worth the time. Used carefully Pulse Effects allows all sorts of stuff that goes far beyond an equalizer. It can enhance bass, it can make surrouns systems more 'surroundy'. It can add reverb and make your music sound like it is playing in a cave.
Most importantly, it can just modify things to find a 'sweet spot' where your music sounds natural. Once you find that, save it as a preset.

Some reading about Pulse Effects:
https://www.linuxuprising.com/2018/05/p ... -wide.html



In Xfce it is possible to add items to the Panel by right clicking on it. One item that is useful is called 'pasystray' I'm not sure if that is available in Cinnamon, but if it is - add it. You will get an extra little volume icon - but Right Clicking on it allows access to many more settings. It can be useful.

There are some other ways to make Mint sound better, but understanding a bit about Alsamixer, Pulse Audio Volume Control and Pulse Effects is a good start.

Sorry this waffles on a bit - but it might be useful . .
Current main OS: MInt 21.3 with KDE Plasma 5.27 (using Compiz as WM) - Kernel: 6.5.0-15 on Lenovo m900 Tiny, i5-6400T (intel HD 530 graphics) 16GB RAM.
Sharks usually only attack you if you are wet
fffrost
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 3:20 pm

Re: How can I improve the sound quality?

Post by fffrost »

Thanks all for the help!

I had previously installed pulseeffects and tinkered around, and just tried again, but the problem seems to be that there is something missing rather than something that needs adjusting/improving (maybe my thread title wasn't so accurate). I'm not saying that as someone who knows anything about sound configuration, it just sounds obvious when e.g. boosting the bass only distorts the weak sound that's there but doesn't add anything "bassy".

Maybe I'm asking for too much but I just wanted it to "work". I guess I'll just wait around until there is a proper fix.
Locked

Return to “Sound”