LinuxQuestions.org - Recording from PCM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drauk (Post 2903516)

I read in one page that i can record directly from pcm output if my sound card support it, and i'm sure it does

You can record from pcm as long as alsa can play to your soundcard.

To get all PCM devices, use

Code:

arecord -L

Then, just record from them like so:

Code:

arecord -D default -f cd -t wav output.wav

(replace default with your device)

You can also make pseudodevices using the .asoundrc file. For example (taken from the arecord manpage):

Code:

pcm.copy {

        type plug

        slave {

                pcm hw

        }

        route_policy copy

}

Allows you to do

Code:

arecord -f cd -t wav -D copy foobar.wav

Of course .asoundrc is much more powerful than that. It allows all sorts of magic you might never have previously expected (for example, making a virtual four-channel device from two soundcards).

Of course there are other alsa-based recorders (more graphically pleasing than arecord). As an example, audacity uses the same alsa devices.