what does aplay -L show?

Something like this at the top?

aplay -L

null
Discard all samples (playback) or generate zero samples (capture)
pulse
PulseAudio Sound Server
default:CARD=SB
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Analog
Default Audio Device
sysdefault:CARD=SB
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Analog
Default Audio Device
front:CARD=SB,DEV=0
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Analog
Front speakers
surround21:CARD=SB,DEV=0

...............................................................

And does this command make any noise? (assumming you have this wav file at that location)


aplay -D default /usr/share/sounds/alsa/Front_Center.wav

duplicate

Hi, Gary. I sure appreciate your help on this.


aplay -D default /usr/share/sounds/alsa/Front_Center.wav
No sound



aplay -l shows:

default
Playback/recording through the PulseAudio sound server
null
Discard all samples (playback) or generate zero samples (capture)
pulse
PulseAudio Sound Server
sysdefault:CARD=SB
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Analog
Default Audio Device
front:CARD=SB,DEV=0
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Analog
Front speakers
surround21:CARD=SB,DEV=0
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Analog
2.1 Surround output to Front and Subwoofer speakers
surround40:CARD=SB,DEV=0
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Analog
4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers
surround41:CARD=SB,DEV=0
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Analog
4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
surround50:CARD=SB,DEV=0
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Analog
5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers
surround51:CARD=SB,DEV=0
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Analog
5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
surround71:CARD=SB,DEV=0
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Analog
7.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Side, Rear and Woofer speakers
iec958:CARD=SB,DEV=0
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Digital
IEC958 (S/PDIF) Digital Audio Output
dmix:CARD=SB,DEV=0
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Analog
Direct sample mixing device
dmix:CARD=SB,DEV=1
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Digital
Direct sample mixing device
dsnoop:CARD=SB,DEV=0
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Analog
Direct sample snooping device
dsnoop:CARD=SB,DEV=1
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Digital
Direct sample snooping device
hw:CARD=SB,DEV=0
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Analog
Direct hardware device without any conversions
hw:CARD=SB,DEV=1
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Digital
Direct hardware device without any conversions
plughw:CARD=SB,DEV=0
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Analog
Hardware device with all software conversions
plughw:CARD=SB,DEV=1
HDA ATI SB, ALC892 Digital
Hardware device with all software conversions
hdmi:CARD=NVidia,DEV=0
HDA NVidia, HDMI 0
HDMI Audio Output
hdmi:CARD=NVidia,DEV=1
HDA NVidia, HDMI 1
HDMI Audio Output
dmix:CARD=NVidia,DEV=3
HDA NVidia, HDMI 0
Direct sample mixing device
dmix:CARD=NVidia,DEV=7
HDA NVidia, HDMI 1
Direct sample mixing device
dsnoop:CARD=NVidia,DEV=3
HDA NVidia, HDMI 0
Direct sample snooping device
dsnoop:CARD=NVidia,DEV=7
HDA NVidia, HDMI 1
Direct sample snooping device
hw:CARD=NVidia,DEV=3
HDA NVidia, HDMI 0
Direct hardware device without any conversions
hw:CARD=NVidia,DEV=7
HDA NVidia, HDMI 1
Direct hardware device without any conversions
plughw:CARD=NVidia,DEV=3
HDA NVidia, HDMI 0
Hardware device with all software conversions
plughw:CARD=NVidia,DEV=7
HDA NVidia, HDMI 1
Hardware device with all software conversions
sysdefault:CARD=USB
Jabra SPEAK 510 USB, USB Audio
Default Audio Device
front:CARD=USB,DEV=0
Jabra SPEAK 510 USB, USB Audio
Front speakers
surround21:CARD=USB,DEV=0
Jabra SPEAK 510 USB, USB Audio
2.1 Surround output to Front and Subwoofer speakers
surround40:CARD=USB,DEV=0
Jabra SPEAK 510 USB, USB Audio
4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers
surround41:CARD=USB,DEV=0
Jabra SPEAK 510 USB, USB Audio
4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
surround50:CARD=USB,DEV=0
Jabra SPEAK 510 USB, USB Audio
5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers
surround51:CARD=USB,DEV=0
Jabra SPEAK 510 USB, USB Audio
5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
surround71:CARD=USB,DEV=0
Jabra SPEAK 510 USB, USB Audio
7.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Side, Rear and Woofer speakers
iec958:CARD=USB,DEV=0
Jabra SPEAK 510 USB, USB Audio
IEC958 (S/PDIF) Digital Audio Output
dmix:CARD=USB,DEV=0
Jabra SPEAK 510 USB, USB Audio
Direct sample mixing device
dsnoop:CARD=USB,DEV=0
Jabra SPEAK 510 USB, USB Audio
Direct sample snooping device
hw:CARD=USB,DEV=0
Jabra SPEAK 510 USB, USB Audio
Direct hardware device without any conversions
plughw:CARD=USB,DEV=0
Jabra SPEAK 510 USB, USB Audio
Hardware device with all software conversions

try aplay -D sysdefault /usr/share/sounds/alsa/Front_Center.wav

Probably that would play nothing as well..


When you play something... Does it show in pavucontrol under playback... ie what application is running and is the signal bar flucating as it plays?

Sometimes on my rig the soundcard fails to initialize on boot, but yours seems to be showing that all is well ?

Hi, Gary. I tried the aplay thing but no luck. Pulseaudio shows activity and allows me to select the built-in audio but no sound. I gave up and bought a sound blaster, $40 and problem solved. Tired of messing with it.

I do appreciate your help even though we couldn't figure it out.