Emulating a sound card?

Saketh · 07-13-2009, 11:31 AM

Hi everyone,

I have a remote server which has no sound card. I'd like to use it to run Skype in order to make a call and play from an existing wave file.

So far, I've got Skype running, and I've installed PulseAudio with the following configuration in ~/.asoundrc:

Code:

pcm.pulse { type pulse }
ctl.pulse { type pulse }

The command `aplay -l` yields "no soundcards found...", as expected. I have the pulse daemon running, and I'm able to select "pulse" under Skype's Sound Options for Input/Output/Ringing. But when I actually try to make a call, pulse fails:

Quote:

skype: pcm_pulse.c:115: pulse_stop: Assertion 'pcm->stream' failed.

I understand that the immediate reaction is to suggest that I grab the machine and install a sound card, but because it is remote, I'm looking for a way to emulate the functionality of a sound card without actually having one installed. I've searched for existing solutions, but the closest thing I've found is sound card virtualization.

How can I do this?

business_kid · 07-13-2009, 03:31 PM

What you are asking for sounds like a hack. Where you want the sound to be heard is where skype should run, and where your soundcard should be.

Saketh · 07-13-2009, 03:42 PM

The thing is, the sound doesn't need to be heard on the server, just sent over IP. Because this is a software operation, shouldn't it be possible to emulate a sound card so that Skype works on the server?

business_kid · 07-14-2009, 04:37 AM

Why do you not do it locally? Why not have a soundcard on your box and run skype from there? No messing, no fuss.