On Sat 01 May 2021 at 08:28:44 (+0000), Rodolfo Medina wrote: > David Wright <deb...@lionunicorn.co.uk> writes: > > > In terms of this computer, all those input and output sockets are the > > equivalent of my little 3.5mm jacks (but with phantom power), and the gain > > knobs are alsamixer sliders. > > > > [...] > > > > And so, by the sounds of the OP's solution post, the only functionality of > > the Behringer being used is the four better quality DACs (rather than my > > two), with four balanced outputs (rather than my two unbalanced ones through > > a 3.5mm jack). > > > > [...] > > > > Would it help to see what kind of difference there is between a > > sophisticated card like the Behringer and a run-of-the-mill soundcard, by > > listing the ALSA Controls with amixer -c 2 scontents as I asked about > > earlier? > > > What is specifically your audio set, much simpler as you say?
It varies from computer to computer, but in no case is there a significant external device beyond an adapter, and there are never more than two channels. My near-defunct laptop has HDMI output, and I have an HDMI→VGA adaptor that has 3.5mm output (avoiding its combination one). The tower mentioned below has DVI and 2xDisplayPort, so I think I can get at least HMDI out of one of the latter, with an adaptor. The AiO, which I work on at present, has no video out, but does have a separate headphone output. > I'm also interested in what you are wondering... about possibly having the > same functionalities with much a simpler arrangement... https://lists.debian.org/debian-user/2021/03/msg01322.html explains how I record sound that is being played by one of my computers, ie capturing the output from its sound mixer using just settings in the sound card. Most computers can't do that. Fortunately, I acquired this 2011-built Dell tower to replace my previous minitower that had this ability but had just died. I repeat here the sound card control that this depends on: Simple mixer control 'Input Source',0 Capabilities: cenum Items: 'Mic' 'Line' 'Stereo Mix' Item0: 'Stereo Mix' On past form, I might get five to ten years use out of this Dell, so I'm always on the lookout for other methods of performing this enviable and, to some, incredible task. An exterior soundcard device would have the advantage that it's transferable to other computers. So I take an interest in devices like yours, and in what controls are made available to alsamixer. (AIUI the chips themselves usually have this capability, and others, but only some functions are made available in different computers by their mobos.) Cheers, David.
