LinuxQuestions.org - ALSA error: ALSA device "default" is already in use by another program.

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ALSA error: ALSA device "default" is already in use by another program.

I tested my sound with a CD and now I get this or a similar error in any program but Gnome-CD. The error ALSA device "default" is already in use by another program. is from rhythmbox but I can't get any other media plyers working (like noatum kadooble etc)

after this errror I get the error cannot pause playback

the way to solve the error you've given is to edit the alsa configuration to allow multiple connections by external programs. I thought this had become a default on newer distro's but maybe not.

open the alsa config file, possibly /etc/asound.conf or similar. and in there should be a declaration o this "default" server. This might not be quite right for you, so google could help you with some alternative configurations, but my setup is:

Code:

pcm.default {

  type plug

  slave.pcm "dmixer"

}      



pcm.dmixer {  

    type dmix

    ipc_key 1024

    ipc_perm 0666

    slave {

        pcm "hw:0,0"

        period_time 0

        period_size 1024

        buffer_size 8192

  rate 44100

    }  

    

    bindings {

        0 0

        1 1

    }

}

to be honest, i don't understand each part, and from what i read this is actually overkill... you *might* not even need the second part at all and let dmixer run on what i expect are suitable default settings, but essentially it's the use of the "dmixer" plugin.

BUT... if you're using kde or gnome, you'll probably have a higer level sound server running already on top of alsa, and although they suck, it might be easier to make sue you've tried using both ESD and ARTS outputs instead of alsa.

OK I'll try that as well. Maybe it'll go better with reinstalling since I've been playing with 3 desktop managers and in the process something went wrong. Thanks for the help!