Slack Bluetooth Audio Headset

n4rf · 07-29-2015, 03:11 PM

Ive been using Slack since 13.37.. currently 14.1.. im not that into -current..

So here is the "situation"..

I work in a laptop with Bluetooth, wich sending/receiving files is not that much of a problem.

But.. when I want to use my bluetooth headset, i have to do some "tricky" things, like edit a .asoundrc, or /etc/asound.conf file in order to use them, then, reboot/relog (reboot works fine, relog does not work "everytime")

And usually, after that, if I turn them off/disconnect (BTheadset), I have no idea why, probably some misconfiguration [have to say Ive tried quite a few so far] but I have to comment, or rename conf files, and reboot/relog again, otherwise I dont have sound throught the built in speakers..

So..

Is there any way/chance/possibility of making it work more like going to "Phonom" and select Output device such as bluetooth?

Is it already solved for next version (-current maybe??)?

Ive tried many distros, wich I gotta admit, I love not having to struggle with the BTHeadset-thingy.. But I always come back to slack...

So, any suggestions/ideas/solution that is right in front of me but I'm blindfolded and cant see??

Im running Slackware 14.1 x86_64 Multilib

Code:

uname -a
Linux ASUS 3.10.17 x86_64 Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2430M CPU @ 2.40GHz GenuineIntel GNU/Linux

and my .asound file

Code:

pcm.bluetooth {
   type bluetooth
   device 00:18:09:1E:56:44 
profile hifi
}

and my /etc/asound.conf

Code:

pcm.!default {
    type bluetooth
    device 00:18:09:1E:56:44
    profile "auto"
}
pcm.btheadset {
    type plug
    slave {
        pcm {
            type bluetooth
            device 00:18:09:1E:56:44
            profile "auto"
        }
    }

    hint {
        show on
        description "BT Headset"
    }
}

ctl.btheadset {
  type bluetooth
}

@hooks [
        {
                func load
                files [
                        "/etc/alsa/bluetooth.conf"
                ]
                errors false
        }
]

bassmadrigal · 07-29-2015, 03:18 PM

I believe this is just a limitation of using alsa as the audio backend. I don't think there is any (easy?) way around this without going to pulseaudio (but maybe somebody can correct me if I'm wrong). I do know pulseaudio is available on http://slackbuilds.org

genss · 07-29-2015, 03:30 PM

/etc/asound.conf is the system-wide conf
.asoundrc in your home directory is the user conf

try just doing

Code:

pcm.!default {
    type bluetooth
    device 00:18:09:1E:56:44
    profile "auto"
}

it should work with bluez
make sure /etc/rc.d/rc.bluetooth is executable

aplay -l (or -L) will show you all the outputs

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmadrigal

I believe this is just a limitation of using alsa as the audio backend. I don't think there is any (easy?) way around this without going to pulseaudio (but maybe somebody can correct me if I'm wrong). I do know pulseaudio is available on http://slackbuilds.org

1 minute of googling would tell you that this is very much possible

bassmadrigal · 07-29-2015, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genss

1 minute of googling would tell you that this is very much possible

I just know I've seen a lot of posts on here about trying to get headsets (usb or bluetooth) to work in addition to main speakers, and almost all the posts have suggested using pulseaudio due to difficulties in getting it to work with alsa.

Luckily, I have no need for either, so I haven't had to tackle this particular problem, so my post was only based on feedback on the forum.

mralk3 · 07-29-2015, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmadrigal

I just know I've seen a lot of posts on here about trying to get headsets (usb or bluetooth) to work in addition to main speakers, and almost all the posts have suggested using pulseaudio due to difficulties in getting it to work with alsa.

Luckily, I have no need for either, so I haven't had to tackle this particular problem, so my post was only based on feedback on the forum.

I usually set up my phone to act as a speaker over A2DP bluetooth for when I am out of the room away from my laptop. Sometimes I even switch the mic on my phone to relay as an input to my laptop as well. Great for voice chat where I don't want to use a head set.

I haven't tried to set up A2DP Bluetooth connections in Slackware yet. It's definitely possible to use Alsa to do so. Pulseaudio is more of a point and click configuration though, so I think that is why people recommend it.

Alsa just requires that you are very specific with your settings, whereas Pulseaudio will do a lot of the work for you.