Theoretical Linux Sound for beginners?

Tortanick · 12-28-2006, 05:00 AM

I was wandering if anyone published a theoretical guide to Linux sound? Something that explains what ALSA, Gstreamer, Phonon, aRTs, JACK, and all the others are and how they fit togeather.

penguiniator · 12-28-2006, 11:16 AM

I don't think they necessarily fit together. Work is being done now to bring consistency to sound on Linux for saner desktop configuration.

Tortanick · 12-28-2006, 11:23 AM

Well Obviously they don't all fit togeather, some replace others. But some do, for example aRTs and ALSA seem to be working togeather just fine for me.

Anyway, origonal question still stands if there is an awnser out their. Hopefully one that explains the current work happening now.

petespin27 · 12-28-2006, 11:02 PM

As far as I know, no such beast exists. You could try and google them seperately.

In short (from what I understand), ALSA is the replacement for OSS; how linux 'talks' to the sound card. Gstreamer, aRts, and phonon are sound servers, they deal with ALSA and they serve the sound to you. Phonon seems to be not in existence yet. Jack is also a sound server, but is geared for low-latency pro audio work.

For a good resource on linux and sound, check this out:
http://linux-sound.org/
Also check out the linux-audio-users mailing list.