Microphone with Alsa --- I need a tutorial! (SOLVED)

mc_bluebeard · Last edited by mc_bluebeard on Wed Jul 19, 2006 7:16 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hi,

I'm using alsa and have to-date, no complaints. However, I need
to record my own voice now and unable to do this. I can't even seem
to find a tutorial online for how to correctly configure alsa so that i
can get recordings from my mic.

Can somebody offer me advice on how to diagnose my problem and
start to fix it?

I realize this is VERY vague. What config files, etc can I provide to help?

THX *so* much!
_________________
I do not belong on this mission and I want to return to earth.

forgotten1 · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 2:52 pm Post subject:

First, run alsamixer in a console. Verify that the microphone setting is not muted (unmute by clicking 'm'), and ensure the volume is increased for it.

Second, adjusting it in your desktop environment depends on what you are using. Which are you using?

mc_bluebeard · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 3:05 pm Post subject: thanks...unmuted, vol increased

Thanks for your reply.

The microphone is unmuted and the volume is set to 60%.
(I noticed that, when I increase it to 100%, I succeed in
getting a screetching sound out of my speakers).

I am unable to record using the following command:
arecord -d 10 -f cd -t wav foobar.wav

The wav file ends up empty.

Any next steps? How can I give you a configuration dump or
something like that?

Thx!!
_________________
I do not belong on this mission and I want to return to earth.

forgotten1 · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 3:10 pm Post subject:

The screeching is due to feedback. You can consider that a good sign that your microphone is working.

is arecord a KDE application?

mc_bluebeard · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 3:12 pm Post subject: arecord

arecord is a command line app. i'm using gnome here, sans qt.

thx **so** much for your help!
_________________
I do not belong on this mission and I want to return to earth.

forgotten1 · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 3:19 pm Post subject:

Ok, just for the record, I don't have a desktop environment up at the moment, so I cannot test before providing advice.

So it sounds like (pardon the pun) you are running a console application (arecord), in a Gnome environment. Gnome should have it's own alsa mixer. Find it, open it, and review the settings there also.

Headrush · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 3:46 pm Post subject:

mc_bluebeard · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 4:53 pm Post subject:

Still no luck here w/ various permutations of
Mic Boost, Mic, Mic Select, & Stereo Mic for
both Playback and Capture.

I'm dismayed here. I know this has to be a
config thing.

(Also, I'm not running and gnome sound stuff)

Any advice? Ugh!

Here's my /etc/asound.state

forgotten1 · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 5:50 pm Post subject:

See if either of these two posts help:
ALSA - Can't Record from Microphone.
Having a hard time trying to record from the microphone

mc_bluebeard · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 7:16 pm Post subject:

that 1st one got it!

Now I have dragon nat. speaking working under
vmware. Works like a champ.

Thx for your help! Gentoo::great_community()
_________________
I do not belong on this mission and I want to return to earth.

Headrush · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:01 pm Post subject:

mc_bluebeard · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:04 pm Post subject:

igain!

yes it was igain!

(um, wtf is igain...why so many mixers!)
_________________
I do not belong on this mission and I want to return to earth.