Doubt with 5.1 volume control using ALSA
 

Hello ppl! I'm running Debian Sarge using ALSA. I've got a SB Live! 5.1 sc with a set of 5.1 speakers. Thing is that using alsamixer, etc, I can only adjust the desired volume level after sliding master, pcm, wave center, wave sorround, etc levels, and not by only adjusting the master level. So, I'm thinking, is there a way around this?
For example, when using XMMS there's no problem, since I control volume level by software, but, if an error occurs, I get the "crash" noise that really bangs my head....for all settings are high! So what I'd love to know is how to set all channels with only the master one, and still be able to adjust front, rear and center speakers independently if needed.
Best regards and thanks,
Mariano

I don't know if it is possible because I currently only use the stereo sound with my Audigy. I have tryied it once, but as I have an excellent stereo sound, I don't want a less good 5.1 sound.

One thing I don't like with those cards (Live, Audigy) is at it is very hard to figure out how they are working. The Alsa guys have done a very good job to try to do a driver that can use every possibility of this card, and as the card is very complex, it would be very helpful to have some kind of graphic showing the different paths of the sound.

Thx Dominique. For what I have been reading, the only way to manage a MASTER control (managing all volume controls) is by creating your own script, for using 5.1 every channel has it's own control, and alsamixer's "master" don't affect them all, I think it just balances rear and front, or something....
Regards, Mariano.

Hi!

I had a similar problem one month ago and have spent a lot of time in its solution. As I stumbled upon this post, probably others will, so I'll post the link to a howto I wrote:

http://alsa.opensrc.org/How_to_use_s..._master_volume

I hope this helps someone...

Ingo