setting up Microphone on opensuse 15.2

Honest Abe · 06-14-2021, 09:26 AM

My requirement is to be able to use a mic on desktop running opensuse 15.2 for google meet/Teams call etc.

There are literally tons of tutorials out there for ubuntu and a vast majority of them are using gui tools. But opensuse's kde "sound" and ubuntu's gnome tool "sound" are different. I have already tried this with a JBL quantum headphone (mic+headphone combo port, used splitter to connect to mic & line out ports), a generic(read chinese) 3.5mm mic and a JBL CSLM20. I still cant use arecord to at least verify that my mics work with my desktop !

Currently I have reverted my changes and considering Opensuse's relevant wiki page as a starting point.

Here's my soundcard info along with the device which can play a test sound via my speakers (connected to line out).

Code:

ab-suse:~> aplay -L
null
    Discard all samples (playback) or generate zero samples (capture)
default
    Default ALSA Output (currently PulseAudio Sound Server)
hdmi:CARD=NVidia,DEV=0
    HDA NVidia, HDMI 0
    HDMI Audio Output
hdmi:CARD=NVidia,DEV=1
    HDA NVidia, HDMI 1
    HDMI Audio Output
hdmi:CARD=NVidia,DEV=2
    HDA NVidia, HDMI 2
    HDMI Audio Output
hdmi:CARD=NVidia,DEV=3
    HDA NVidia, HDMI 3
    HDMI Audio Output
hdmi:CARD=NVidia,DEV=4
    HDA NVidia, HDMI 4
    HDMI Audio Output
hdmi:CARD=NVidia,DEV=5
    HDA NVidia, HDMI 5
    HDMI Audio Output
hdmi:CARD=NVidia,DEV=6
    HDA NVidia, HDMI 6
    HDMI Audio Output
sysdefault:CARD=Generic
    HD-Audio Generic, ALC887-VD Analog
    Default Audio Device
front:CARD=Generic,DEV=0
    HD-Audio Generic, ALC887-VD Analog
    Front speakers
surround21:CARD=Generic,DEV=0
    HD-Audio Generic, ALC887-VD Analog
    2.1 Surround output to Front and Subwoofer speakers
surround40:CARD=Generic,DEV=0
    HD-Audio Generic, ALC887-VD Analog
    4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers
surround41:CARD=Generic,DEV=0
    HD-Audio Generic, ALC887-VD Analog
    4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
surround50:CARD=Generic,DEV=0
    HD-Audio Generic, ALC887-VD Analog
    5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers
surround51:CARD=Generic,DEV=0
    HD-Audio Generic, ALC887-VD Analog
    5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
surround71:CARD=Generic,DEV=0
    HD-Audio Generic, ALC887-VD Analog
    7.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Side, Rear and Woofer speakers

Can someone please help ? I'll try to put more information as they are needed.

Honest Abe · 06-14-2021, 09:29 AM

https://file.io/heRHo94ZQpYt

^^ Alsa output^^

Sauerland · 06-14-2021, 02:08 PM

Install pavucontrol and start it as User.

Honest Abe · 06-15-2021, 09:29 AM

Thanks for your attention, Saurland!

I do have pavucontrol installed. However, with any of the MICs connected to the MIC port (rear of CPU cabinet),I can only see a "HD-Audio-Generic" device under "input devices" with no option to configure/test it. (attached)

Please also see the output from Alsamixer. It does see a "capture" device. But nothing works with arecord.

Here's my attempt to record my voice while speaking directly into the Mic (turned on, obviously). No sound was heard during the playback -

Code:

ab-suse:~> arecord -d 5 -f U8 test.mp3
Recording WAVE 'test.mp3' : Unsigned 8 bit, Rate 8000 Hz, Mono
ab-suse:~> aplay test.mp3 
Playing WAVE 'test.mp3' : Unsigned 8 bit, Rate 8000 Hz, Mono
ab-suse:~>

However, if I test my speaker, it is working as expected -

Code:

ab-suse:~> speaker-test front:CARD=Generic,DEV=0 -c2 -l5 -twav

speaker-test 1.1.5

Playback device is default
Stream parameters are 48000Hz, S16_LE, 2 channels
WAV file(s)
Rate set to 48000Hz (requested 48000Hz)
Buffer size range from 96 to 1048576
Period size range from 32 to 349526
Using max buffer size 1048576
Periods = 4
was set period_size = 262144
was set buffer_size = 1048576
 0 - Front Left
^C

Sauerland · 06-15-2021, 09:58 AM

What is enabled in the Configuration Tab in pavucontrol?

You need something as input+output (duplex) for your internal Card.

Honest Abe · 06-15-2021, 10:16 AM

I see duplex enabled.

Sauerland · 06-15-2021, 10:25 AM

Start a recording app (audacity or something else) and see in the Recording-Tab of pavucontrol which micro is using.

Honest Abe · 06-15-2021, 10:42 AM

with audacity "recording", I looked at pavucontrol and saw no application being listed.

Whylma5S · 11-28-2023, 09:56 AM

Even though the post is from a while back, audio issues can sometimes be a puzzle regardless of the time. The suggestions still stand—checking connections, ensuring settings aren't muted, and trying specific commands like arecord -D hw:0,0 -d 5 -f cd test.wav might help. And hey, for those exploring ASMR microphones, considering specific setups and configurations might bring better results.