Output volume does not match vol control value

[hemebond]

It seems I have two volume ranges on my vol control which makes for a very loud surprise when trying to lower the volume.

When the vol control is at 100%, the actual output is at 100%.
When the vol control is at 25%, the actual output is 0%.
When the vol control is just below the 25% mark, the actual output jumps back to 100%.
When the vol control is at 0%, actual output is at 0%.

What is causing this? Here is the output from ossinfo in case it helps.

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Version info: OSS 4.2 (b 2004/201108200352) (0x00040100) OSS_HG
Hg revision: changeset: 928:a9a237ddd426, tag: tip, date: Tue Apr 19 09:31:02 2011 +0300, summary: Intel HD Audio Cougar Point added
Platform: Linux/x86_64 2.6.38-11-generic #48-Ubuntu SMP Fri Jul 29 19:02:55 UTC 2011 (excession)

Number of audio devices:   6
Number of audio engines:   10
Number of MIDI devices:      0
Number of mixer devices:   2


Device objects
0: osscore0 OSS core services
1: oss_envy24ht0 Shuttle SN25P interrupts=25123087 (35947361)
2: oss_usb0 USB audio core services
3: usb046d0809-0 USB sound device
4: usb046d0809-1 USB sound device

MIDI devices (/dev/midi*)

Mixer devices
0: Shuttle SN25P (VT1612A) (Mixer 0 of device object 1)
1: USB sound device (Mixer 0 of device object 3)

Audio devices
Shuttle SN25P front out           /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0  (device index 0)
Shuttle SN25P c/l out             /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm1  (device index 1)
Shuttle SN25P side out            /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm2  (device index 2)
Shuttle SN25P digital out         /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/spdout  (device index 3)
Shuttle SN25P analog in           /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcmin0  (device index 4)
(USB sound device rec              /dev/oss/usb046d0809-1/pcmin0 ) (device index 5)

Nodes
  /dev/dsp -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_in -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_out -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_ac3 -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/spdout
  /dev/dsp_mmap -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_multich -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_spdifout -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/spdout


[igorzwx]

It seems I have two volume ranges on my vol control which makes for a very loud surprise when trying to lower the volume.

When the vol control is at 100%, the actual output is at 100%.
When the vol control is at 25%, the actual output is 0%.
When the vol control is just below the 25% mark, the actual output jumps back to 100%.
When the vol control is at 0%, actual output is at 0%.

What is causing this? Here is the output from ossinfo in case it helps.

Code: Select all

Version info: OSS 4.2 (b 2004/201108200352) (0x00040100) OSS_HG
Hg revision: changeset: 928:a9a237ddd426, tag: tip, date: Tue Apr 19 09:31:02 2011 +0300, summary: Intel HD Audio Cougar Point added
Platform: Linux/x86_64 2.6.38-11-generic #48-Ubuntu SMP Fri Jul 29 19:02:55 UTC 2011 (excession)

Number of audio devices:   6
Number of audio engines:   10
Number of MIDI devices:      0
Number of mixer devices:   2


Device objects
0: osscore0 OSS core services
1: oss_envy24ht0 Shuttle SN25P interrupts=25123087 (35947361)
2: oss_usb0 USB audio core services
3: usb046d0809-0 USB sound device
4: usb046d0809-1 USB sound device

MIDI devices (/dev/midi*)

Mixer devices
0: Shuttle SN25P (VT1612A) (Mixer 0 of device object 1)
1: USB sound device (Mixer 0 of device object 3)

Audio devices
Shuttle SN25P front out           /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0  (device index 0)
Shuttle SN25P c/l out             /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm1  (device index 1)
Shuttle SN25P side out            /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm2  (device index 2)
Shuttle SN25P digital out         /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/spdout  (device index 3)
Shuttle SN25P analog in           /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcmin0  (device index 4)
(USB sound device rec              /dev/oss/usb046d0809-1/pcmin0 ) (device index 5)

Nodes
  /dev/dsp -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_in -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_out -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_ac3 -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/spdout
  /dev/dsp_mmap -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_multich -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_spdifout -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/spdout


Most probably, it is a kind of Ubuntu problem, a buggy Ubuntu mixer, or PulseAudio, or else.

Moreover, your version of OSS4 is outdated. Is it Ubuntu's buggy package of OSS4?
It should be the notorious Ubuntu's buggy package of OSS4, I presume.
Otherwise, it is a kind of self-compiled "open-source" package of OSS4 made some months ago.
It cannot be the official "closed source build", OSS v4.2 Build 2004 (with proprietary drivers for certain professional sound cards), because its "free license" already expired.

Read this: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4391
On Arch Linux, Open Sound System v4.2 build 2005 (open-source) is already in the official repository.

You may try the current version of OSS4 on a LiveCD, the manual is here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3933&#p17359

If you are going to use Ubuntu, it makes sense to read its documentation:

WARNING: Canonical/Ubuntu has chosen to disable OSS support in their kernels and ignore any bugs filed against OSS4 packages. If you're considering using OSS4, you should probably use another Linux distro like Arch Linux. This page remains for historical/reference reasons.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/OpenSound

[hemebond]

It's out of date? It's compiled from source. I'll try to find and compile the latest.

Okay, hg update didn't pull down any changes so I thought I was up to date. I started from scratch and now I am up to date.

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Version info: OSS 4.2 (b 2005/201109121304) (0x00040100) OSS_HG
Hg revision: changeset: 938:62b26e8f9b81, tag: tip, date: Sun Sep 11 02:03:03 2011 +0300, summary: Fixes for cross compiling under Linux
Platform: Linux/x86_64 2.6.38-11-generic #48-Ubuntu SMP Fri Jul 29 19:02:55 UTC 2011 (excession)

The problem is still there so I will look for any Pulseaudio bugs that might be responsible.

[igorzwx]

It's out of date? It's compiled from source. I'll try to find and compile the latest.

You may better try to reproduce the problem on Arch LiveCD with the current version of OSS4 (with the native OSS Mixer "ossxmix" or "ossmix").

If you have the same problem on Arch, it might be a bug in the driver.
Otherwise, it might be a bug in your Ubuntu (this is most probable).

It is not very probable that OSS4 developers and/or experienced OSS4 users are using Ubuntu.
It is not realistic to expect "Ubuntu support" on this forum.

[igorzwx]

The problem is still there so I will look for any Pulseaudio bugs that might be responsible.

If you have PulseAudio...

You may better remove it.

Removing PulseAudio

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sudo apt-get purge pulseaudio gstreamer0.10-pulseaudio

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/OpenS ... PulseAudio

[hemebond]

Aw, but I like Pulse Audio. Can OSSv4 do the things Pulse Audio does? I've got the Pulse Audio IRC channel trying to convince me to go back to ALSA, and I've got this forum telling me to drop PA altogether.

[igorzwx]

Aw, but I like Pulse Audio. Can OSSv4 do the things Pulse Audio does? I've got the Pulse Audio IRC channel trying to convince me to go back to ALSA, and I've got this forum telling me to drop PA altogether.

If you have PulseAudio installed, this can only mean that you are not an "audiophile" in the sense that you do not hear the difference.
Why do you need OSS4?

If sound quality does not matter, you can use ALSA (if it works on your Ubuntu).

From my subjective point of view, it might be reasonable to remove PulseAudio together with Ubuntu.

[hemebond]

I need working audio. I installed OSSv4 because ALSA (again, and every time I install a new OS) stopped working after a reboot and I couldn't get it working again. I spent hours, every time it happened, trying to fix it. It was easier to switch to OSSv4.

I've killed all Pulse Audio daemons, used gstreamer-properties to try and make sure OSSv4 is used, and I still have the issue with the volume slider.

[igorzwx]

I need working audio. I installed OSSv4 because ALSA (again, and every time I install a new OS) stopped working after a reboot and I couldn't get it working again. I spent hours, every time it happened, trying to fix it. It was easier to switch to OSSv4.

I've killed all Pulse Audio daemons, used gstreamer-properties to try and make sure OSSv4 is used, and I still have the issue with the volume slider.

On Arch Linux, both ALSA and OSS4 work without problems, if PulseAudio (and libpulse) are removed.
I have both ALSA and OSS4 installed.
Usually, I am using OSS4, but I can also run ALSA, when I need it.

In any case, it makes sense to try ALSA and OSS4 on Arch LiveCD to see how they work on your computer.
That particular Arch LiveCD does not have PulseAudio installed:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3933&#p17359

If everything works well on Arch Linux, you may try to fix your buggy Ubuntu.
If you cannot fix Ubuntu's bugs, you may try another Linux distro.

[cesium]

I doubt pulse has anything to do with the problem - though I do wonder which app are you using to change volume. Is it the OSS mixer(s) or some other app?

[hemebond]

I'm using ossxmix to change the volume; specifically the vol slider. I've grabbed the CTKArch ISO and I'm about to boot into it to test.

[igorzwx]

I'm using ossxmix to change the volume; specifically the vol slider. I've grabbed the CTKArch ISO and I'm about to boot into it to test.

You may also try Archiso-live (the download links are already fixed)
The manual is here:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3933&#p17316

[hemebond]

Okay, I've followed the instructions in the thread linked to above, removed ALSA, installed OSS, and using ossxmix the output volume still does not match the slider. Is there any info I can get while I'm in here?

[igorzwx]

I'm using ossxmix to change the volume; specifically the vol slider. I've grabbed the CTKArch ISO and I'm about to boot into it to test.

Okay, I've followed the instructions in the thread linked to above, removed ALSA, installed OSS, and using ossxmix the output volume still does not match the slider. Is there any info I can get while I'm in here?

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$ ossinfo
$ ossmix
$ lspci

[hemebond]

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[arch@ctkarch ~]$ ossinfo
Version info: OSS 4.2 (b 2004/201101052228) (0x00040100) GPL
Platform: Linux/x86_64 2.6.37-ARCH #1 SMP PREEMPT Fri Mar 25 15:10:00 CET 2011 (ctkarch)

Number of audio devices:   6
Number of audio engines:   10
Number of MIDI devices:      0
Number of mixer devices:   2


Device objects
0: osscore0 OSS core services
1: oss_envy24ht0 Shuttle SN25P interrupts=142613 (142613)
2: oss_usb0 USB audio core services
3: usb046d0809-0 USB sound device
4: usb046d0809-1 USB sound device

MIDI devices (/dev/midi*)

Mixer devices
0: Shuttle SN25P (VT1612A) (Mixer 0 of device object 1)
1: USB sound device (Mixer 0 of device object 3)

Audio devices
Shuttle SN25P front out           /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0  (device index 0)
Shuttle SN25P c/l out             /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm1  (device index 1)
Shuttle SN25P side out            /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm2  (device index 2)
Shuttle SN25P digital out         /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/spdout  (device index 3)
Shuttle SN25P analog in           /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcmin0  (device index 4)
USB sound device rec              /dev/oss/usb046d0809-1/pcmin0  (device index 5)

Nodes
  /dev/dsp -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_in -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_out -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_ac3 -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/spdout
  /dev/dsp_mmap -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_multich -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm0
  /dev/dsp_spdifout -> /dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/spdout

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[arch@ctkarch ~]$ ossmix
Selected mixer 0/Shuttle SN25P (VT1612A)
Known controls are:
vol [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 60:60)
vol.rec ON|OFF (currently OFF)
pcm [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 75:75)
speaker <monovol> (currently 0)
line [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 32:32)
line.rec ON|OFF (currently ON)
mic <monovol> (currently 0)
mic.rec ON|OFF (currently OFF)
cd [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 75:75)
cd.rec ON|OFF (currently OFF)
igain [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 75:75)
aux1 [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 32:32)
aux1.rec ON|OFF (currently OFF)
phone [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 0:0)
phone.rec ON|OFF (currently OFF)
mono <monovol> (currently 75)
mono.rec ON|OFF (currently OFF)
video [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 0:0)
video.rec ON|OFF (currently OFF)
depth <monovol> (currently 0)
rear [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 75:75)
center [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 75:75)
route.front <DMA|ANALOGIN|DIGITALIN> (currently DMA)
route.c/l <DMA|ANALOGIN|DIGITALIN> (currently DMA)
route.side <DMA|ANALOGIN|DIGITALIN> (currently DMA)
route.spdifout <DMA|ANALOGIN|DIGITALIN> (currently DMA)
envy24.rate <8000|9600|11025|12000|16000|22050|24000|32000|44100|48000> (currently 48000)
envy24.sync <INTERNAL|SPDIF> (currently INTERNAL)
envy24.src ON|OFF (currently OFF)
envy24.ratelock ON|OFF (currently OFF)
envy24.actrate <decimal value> (currently 48000) (Read-only)
spdif.audio <AUDIO|DATA> (currently AUDIO)
spdif.vbit ON|OFF (currently OFF)
spdif.preemph <OFF|50/16usec> (currently OFF)
spdif.mode <CONSUMER|PRO> (currently CONSUMER)
spdif.copyright <YES|NO> (currently YES)
spdif.generat <COPY|ORIGINAL> (currently COPY)
micboost ON|OFF (currently ON)
mixext.spkmode <FRONT|SPREAD> (currently SPREAD)
mixext.mix-lfe2front ON|OFF (currently ON)
mixext.mix-rear2front ON|OFF (currently ON)
vmix0-enable ON|OFF (currently ON)
vmix0-rate <decimal value> (currently 48000) (Read-only)
vmix0-channels <Stereo|Multich> (currently Stereo)
vmix0-src <Fast|High|OFF> (currently Fast)
vmix0-outvol <monovol> (currently 25.0 dB)
vmix0-invol <monovol> (currently 25.0 dB)
vmix0.pcm5 [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 25.0:25.0 dB) ("mplayer")
vmix0.pcm6 [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 25.0:25.0 dB)
vmix0.pcm7 [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 25.0:25.0 dB)
vmix0.pcm8 [<leftvol>:<rightvol>] (currently 25.0:25.0 dB)

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[arch@ctkarch ~]$ lspci
00:00.0 Memory controller: nVidia Corporation CK804 Memory Controller (rev a3)
00:01.0 ISA bridge: nVidia Corporation CK804 ISA Bridge (rev a3)
00:01.1 SMBus: nVidia Corporation CK804 SMBus (rev a2)
00:02.0 USB Controller: nVidia Corporation CK804 USB Controller (rev a2)
00:02.1 USB Controller: nVidia Corporation CK804 USB Controller (rev a3)
00:06.0 IDE interface: nVidia Corporation CK804 IDE (rev f2)
00:07.0 IDE interface: nVidia Corporation CK804 Serial ATA Controller (rev f3)
00:08.0 IDE interface: nVidia Corporation CK804 Serial ATA Controller (rev f3)
00:09.0 PCI bridge: nVidia Corporation CK804 PCI Bridge (rev a2)
00:0a.0 Bridge: nVidia Corporation CK804 Ethernet Controller (rev a3)
00:0b.0 PCI bridge: nVidia Corporation CK804 PCIE Bridge (rev a3)
00:0c.0 PCI bridge: nVidia Corporation CK804 PCIE Bridge (rev a3)
00:0d.0 PCI bridge: nVidia Corporation CK804 PCIE Bridge (rev a3)
00:0e.0 PCI bridge: nVidia Corporation CK804 PCIE Bridge (rev a3)
00:18.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] HyperTransport Technology Configuration
00:18.1 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Address Map
00:18.2 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] DRAM Controller
00:18.3 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Miscellaneous Control
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation G70 [GeForce 7800 GTX] (rev a1)
05:06.0 Multimedia audio controller: VIA Technologies Inc. VT1720/24 [Envy24PT/HT] PCI Multi-Channel Audio Controller (rev 01)
05:07.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): VIA Technologies, Inc. VT6306/7/8 [Fire II(M)] IEEE 1394 OHCI Controller (rev 80)

I also noticed that osstest failed to do

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/dev/oss/oss_envy24ht0/pcm1 (audio engine 1): Shuttle SN25P c/l out

correctly. When it said it was doing left/right, sound was still coming out of both speakers.