Hello,
After 200000 problems with my integrated soundcard in Slackware I've decieded to get a new one...
As doing that I've bought a Sound Blaster 24bit Live! soundcard...
Now I have a problem: alsaconf doesen't recognise it and i don't know what to do...
i've downloaded the new alsa drivers and recompiled as the help says...and i've read here that for my card i need audigyls modules...but the problem is how to get them as on alsa-project.org the help says that i have to recompile the drivers with the option --with-cards=audigyls --with-sequencer=yes ...
Okey..i said..and trying that i get this error
"checking for which soundcards to compile driver for... configure: error: Unknown soundcard audigyls
and now?!
This is the help page from alsa
http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-doc...odule=audigyls

....help please...as i am a newbie i need clear and simple answers
many thanks

Hello, I own the same card. The ALSA driver support is still in an early stage of development so the card is only partially supported.
You must have CVS installed to follow these instructions.

If you installed the ALSA packages during the Slackware installation then backup your /etc/rc.d/rc.alsa script to a safe location and use
pkgtool to remove them. Next create a new directory, I use /usr/local/src/drivers/alsa, su - to root and cd to the newly created empty directory.
Next issue these commands:
press enter when prompted for a password, then check out the CVS tree.
Once this completes your directroy should contain files and directories such as alsa-driver, alsa-lib etc.
Next cd to the alsa-driver directory and enter:
and when that completes:
Now the dirver should be installed. Enter each of these directories in turn: alsa-lib, alsa-oss, alsa-tools, alsa-utils and run,
in each one. Next,
Now try running alsamixer, if all is well the mixer controls should appear, if not you'll get an error.
Try playing some music with xmms and adjusting the volumes on the mixer until you hear some sound.
You must use the oss output plugin with xmms the alsa output plugin does not work with these drivers, at least not for me.
Copy this; if you're on a 2.4 kernel put it in your /etc/modules.conf file, if on a 2.6 kernel put it in /etc/modprobe.conf
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

# ALSA portion
alias char-major-116 snd
alias snd-card-0 snd-ca0106

# OSS/Free portion
alias char-major-14 soundcore
alias sound-slot-0 snd-card-0

# card #1
alias sound-service-0-0 snd-mixer-oss
alias sound-service-0-1 snd-seq-oss
alias sound-service-0-3 snd-pcm-oss
alias sound-service-0-8 snd-seq-oss
alias sound-service-0-12 snd-pcm-oss

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once you have the mixer volumes set up su - to root and,
Finally copy your rc.alsa script back to /etc/rc.d/rc.alsa and make sure it is executable: chmod +x rc.alsa. This will restore the
mixer volumes upon reboot.

Many Thanks brother,
i've tried doing that even before posting here asking for help and i got some errors...
you're help was great, and i'm thankful...

Now i can listen music on slack finally

Ok, I did this and alsamixer doesnt load, However my FEDORA CORE 2 G-Nome soudn config finds my card "audigy LS" useing driver "ca0106" Now.. My XMMS doesnt allow the playing of mp3 files.. how can I change this to test out my card? I woudl love to see if it works.. BTW when I clicked Play Test Sound I didnt hear anything.... does this mean it didnt work?

Hello ColdAndUgly!
I tried the instructions and it all went great up to the modprobe step.
The output is below.
I did see some underquoted warnings during the previous step, some are also shown here.
alsaixer error is at bottom with the modules.conf generated by alsaconf.
Any Ideas?
Looks to me like my system is trying to use the original sound modules from the slackware install disk.
My SB Live! 24 Bit card is new and I have no windows drivers for it.
I was told it is a Dell OEM. It lokks exactly like the pci card on the creative web site.
model SB0410.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

root@thunderbolt1:/usr/local/src/drivers/alsa/alsa-lib# modprobe snd-ca0106;modprobe snd-pcm-oss;modprobe snd-mixer-oss;modprobe snd-seq-oss
/lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/sound/pci/ca0106/snd-ca0106.o: unresolved symbol snd_compat_kcalloc
/lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/sound/pci/ca0106/snd-ca0106.o: insmod /lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/sound/pci/ca0106/snd-ca0106.o failed
/lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/sound/pci/ca0106/snd-ca0106.o: insmod snd-ca0106 failed
/lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/sound/acore/seq/snd-seq.o: unresolved symbol snd_compat_kcalloc
/lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/sound/acore/seq/snd-seq.o: unresolved symbol snd_seq_autoload_lock
/lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/sound/acore/seq/snd-seq.o: unresolved symbol snd_seq_autoload_unlock
/lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/sound/acore/seq/snd-seq.o: insmod /lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/sound/acore/seq/snd-seq.o failed
/lib/modules/2.4.26/kernel/sound/acore/seq/snd-seq.o: insmod snd-seq-oss failed
root@thunderbolt1:/usr/local/src/drivers/alsa/alsa-lib#

root@thunderbolt1:/usr/local/src/drivers/alsa/alsa-utils# ./cvscompile && make install
/usr/share/aclocal/xmms.m4:17: warning: underquoted definition of XMMS_TEST_VERSION
run info '(automake)Extending aclocal'
or see http://sources.redhat.com/automake/a...ding%20aclocal
/usr/share/aclocal/xmms.m4:62: warning: underquoted definition of AM_PATH_XMMS
/usr/share/aclocal/vorbis.m4:9: warning: underquoted definition of XIPH_PATH_VORBIS
/usr/share/aclocal/pkg.m4:5: warning: underquoted definition of PKG_CHECK_MODULES
/usr/share/aclocal/pilot-link.m4:1: warning: underquoted definition of AC_PILOT_LINK_HOOK
/usr/share/aclocal/ogg.m4:8: warning: underquoted definition of XIPH_PATH_OGG

root@thunderbolt1:/usr/local/src/drivers/alsa# alsamixer

alsamixer: function snd_ctl_open failed for default: No such device
root@thunderbolt1:/usr/local/src/drivers/alsa#

# --- BEGIN: Generated by ALSACONF, do not edit. ---
# --- ALSACONF verion 1.0.8 ---
alias char-major-116 snd
alias char-major-14 soundcore
alias sound-service-0-0 snd-mixer-oss
alias sound-service-0-1 snd-seq-oss
alias sound-service-0-3 snd-pcm-oss
alias sound-service-0-8 snd-seq-oss
alias sound-service-0-12 snd-pcm-oss
alias snd-card-0 snd-ca0106
alias sound-slot-0 snd-ca0106
# --- END: Generated by ALSACONF, do not edit. ---

Update!
I shut my system off and turned it back on.
The alsamixer loaded and sound module was loaded... go figure.
The sound is scratchy sounding and alsamixer does not want to save the settings even after alsactl store. I used alsaconf to set the /etc/modules,conf file.
Tried all sorts of things in control center...
Can this thing be made to work in 24 bit for recording?

Here is my lsmod output after startup:
-----------

root@thunderbolt1:/usr/local/src/drivers/alsa/alsa-utils# lsmod
Module Size Used by Not tainted
i810_rng 2528 0 (unused)
snd-ca0106 18340 0
snd-ac97-codec 60408 0 [snd-ca0106]
snd-pcm 60200 0 [snd-ca0106 snd-ac97-codec]
snd-timer 14884 0 [snd-pcm]
snd 35812 0 [snd-ca0106 snd-ac97-codec snd-pcm snd-timer]
snd-page-alloc 5352 0 [snd-ca0106 snd-pcm snd-timer snd]
soundcore 3396 0 [snd]
pcmcia_core 39972 0
ide-scsi 9328 0
usb-storage 66176 0 (unused)
dc2xx 3232 0 (unused)
usb-uhci 22256 0 (unused)
usbcore 59308 1 [usb-storage dc2xx usb-uhci]
agpgart 43940 0 (unused)
-------------

I did try the modprobe step again and the lsmod output was as follows.
No change in sound, but it did work with no errors.
--------------

root@thunderbolt1:/usr/local/src/drivers/alsa/alsa-utils# lsmod
Module Size Used by Not tainted
snd-pcm-oss 38848 0 (autoclean)
snd-mixer-oss 13912 0 (autoclean) [snd-pcm-oss]
snd-seq 36848 0 (autoclean)
snd-seq-device 4500 0 (autoclean) [snd-seq]
i810_rng 2528 0 (unused)
snd-ca0106 18340 4
snd-ac97-codec 60408 0 [snd-ca0106]
snd-pcm 60200 3 [snd-pcm-oss snd-ca0106 snd-ac97-codec]
snd-timer 14884 0 [snd-seq snd-pcm]
snd 35812 2 [snd-pcm-oss snd-mixer-oss snd-seq snd-seq-device snd-ca0106 snd-ac97-codec snd-pcm snd-timer]
snd-page-alloc 5352 0 [snd-mixer-oss snd-seq snd-seq-device snd-ca0106 snd-pcm snd-timer snd]
soundcore 3396 4 [snd]
pcmcia_core 39972 0
ide-scsi 9328 0
usb-storage 66176 0 (unused)
dc2xx 3232 0 (unused)
usb-uhci 22256 0 (unused)
usbcore 59308 1 [usb-storage dc2xx usb-uhci]
agpgart 43940 0 (unused)

Thanks for the tips, CVS is verry cool!

Hi all.
I'm in the same position as most of you. Sound works quite well with some applications, partially in others and some not at all.
I think all we can do at present is check the CVS regularly for updates and wait for support to improve.
My experiences so far.

XMMS with the OSS output plugin; sound works perfectly.
XMMS with the ALSA output plugin produces skipping and distortion.
MPlayer with the OSS output plugin produces skipping and distortion.
MPlayer with the ALSA plugin; sound works perfectly but video is unwatchable due to an error message flashing in the middle of the screen.
The message reads, "alsa-control: unable to find simple control 'PCM', 0". Maybe it's possible to suppress this error?
Unreal Tournament 2004; sound works perfectly.
Doom 3; sound doesn't work at all.

I should have been more thorough when purchasing the card. I checked the HCL provided here but failed to realise that there was
a significant difference between the Sound Blaster Live! and the Sound Blaster Live! 24. Apparently the older Sound Blaster Live!
works very well using the emu10k1 driver.

To be honest though, it really annoys me that a company making millions, if not hundreds of millions of dollars annually can't provide
better support for Linux.

I reverted back to the built in intel8x0 card.
The directions above worked great but the card came up short of my needs. Multitrack recording work.
I ran the following variation to compile alsa for the cards I own and the ones I want, then I use the directions above to complete the installation.
By default the ./cvscompile will compile for all cards.

-------------
./cvscompile --with-cards=ca0106,intel8x0,rme9652,ice1712,au8810 --with-sequencer=yes --with-oss=yes
-------------

After installing a new card I run alsaconf, alsamixer, and alsactl store.
I noticed the tab key switches between views in alsamixer.
I have been told the arts system messes with the sound and it can be shut off in control center and then type killall -9 artsd
will help to get sound working better with cards like this.
Good luck!

ColdandUgly, thanks! it works perfectly . I also realized that it works better with OSS.
Those in KDE i would recommend to set it.Programmes like Juk, AMarok, NoAtun, whaterever using ARTS will run smooth.
ALso MPLayer, totem and GXIne work good switching from ALSA to OSS... not as a plugin thought.

Thanks to everyone for the help!!!!

Nat

Endless problems, one after another. Using suse and i have the same problem actually the device manager actually picks up my exact card. I got all the way up to the command: ./cvscompile --with-cards=ca0106 --with-sequencer=yes --with-oss=yes --with-kernel=/usr/src/linux/

and it gets all the way here:
make -C /usr/src/linux/ SUBDIRS=/usr/local/src/drivers/alsa/alsa-driver O=/lib/modules/2.6.5-7.145-default/build modules
make[1]: Entering directory `/usr/src/linux-2.6.8-24.10'
/usr/src/linux-2.6.8-24.10/Makefile:465: .config: No such file or directory
CC [M] /usr/local/src/drivers/alsa/alsa-driver/acore/memalloc.o
/bin/sh: line 1: scripts/basic/fixdep: No such file or directory
make[4]: *** [/usr/local/src/drivers/alsa/alsa-driver/acore/memalloc.o] Error 1
make[3]: *** [/usr/local/src/drivers/alsa/alsa-driver/acore] Error 2
make[2]: *** [_module_/usr/local/src/drivers/alsa/alsa-driver] Error 2
make[1]: *** [modules] Error 2
make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/linux-2.6.8-24.10'
make: *** [compile] Error 2

goes through a lot to get to this point tho, but im stuck any suggestions? please leave reply dumbed down for my sake! thx in advance (card is Audigy LS)

I've tried all the stuff specified by ALSA, but I'm getting issues that nobody in any forum seems to have talked about yet:

1. I've had trouble with Kmix crashing with signal 8, but I'm pretty sure that's a permissions thing.

2. My sound starts only after I run alsaconf as root, then resets every time I end my session.

2b.Only S-PDIF_Front works, and only on the line-in/digital-out connector. Since I don't have digital speakers, this is always scratchy and quiet. (Found this out by testing in alsamixer and then trying digital-out only in windows XP Pro).

All of these behaviors seem reasonably bizarre.

Anybody think they can help?

rhythmking - Try emu10k1x, which is supposed to be the correct driver for the OEM Dell cards.

zdijan - If you're using Alsa 1.0.6 to 1.0.7, use audigyls. If it's Alsa 1.0.8, then use ca0106

pointmanx -

2) Have you set up /etc/modules.conf yet? Have you added yourself to the audio group in /etc/group?

2B) I don't understand what you mean here - do you mean you have analogue speakers, but the card is outputting digital? In alsamixer, look for an option saying Analog/Digital and mute it to get analogue sound.

yes, I've put all the stuff I need (I think) in /etc/modules.conf, and also tried putting the same stuff in /etc/modprobe.conf.

Also, I am not part of /etc/group, as I don't even have such a folder. Also, I tried logging in as root the whole time to see if it made a difference (it didn't), so should adding myself to the audio group even matter?

2B- I can't find the analog/digital software switch...I can't even keep the "on" switch on without running alsaconf every login.
(and yes, I have analog speakers (Cambridge PC Works))

--------------------------
...UPDATE: I found out that digital/analog can be switched in alsamixer by pressing the 'm' key on channel 'spdif out'.
I am still getting an artsd errno=32(broken pipe) sometimes, though.
Alsamixer settings still do not seem to save on logoff.
^--3/31/05:fixed by saving volume settings in KDE mixer.
Also, I need to figure out how to use midi with this card...

any ideas?
--------------------------


PS-oops, I wrote the below in response to the wrong recommendation...maybe it will be helpful, though.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Funny you should say that...

I was running the original Live 5.1 XGamer, and it worked just fine (though I never did get midi working). When I heard that the Live! 24-bit was 24-bit with 96kHz quality, and had better EAX and audio enhancement features, and was supported by Alsa, I decided to upgrade.

This broke the sound with a sound server (could not initialize?) error, so I'm guessing it isn't compatible with emu10k1.

Anyways, I went through the steps on the ca0106 driver after downloading alsa 1.0.8. Kmix now always crashes, and sometimes when I dink around too much, I get an arts errno=32 (broken pipe). What I posted above was my workaround, though I'm not so sure that's the correct way to go about it...and I'd rather not have to run special programs every time I login, just to get my sound card to output SOMETHING.

does that have the emu10k1 chipset?

If you're talking about the Live! series other than 24-bit, yes.