> Okay. I'm using a 2.6x kernel. So, there's really *no* good
> reason to compile alsa into the kernel vs. modules? I
> intend to use this box as a soft synth and perhaps
> multitrack audio... if I ever get past configuration
> issues, that is.
You will surely. Gentoo is one of the best boxes for doing
audio.
You're messing some things. You'll *only* need the ALSA
drivers if you have an 2.4 Kernel, but you don't. So, simply
unemerge them.
Then, go to the kernel configuration, switch off all OSS stuff
(the OSS drivers are deprecated now) and enable the ALSA
drivers. Make sure to enable the OSS emulations to get legacy
applications running.
And now, you can tell the kernel if you want to have modules
or compile some support directly into it. I'd recommend
modules. I for myself need the snd-usb-audio module for some
USB soundcards, so I have it as a module and load it using
modprobe.
> > However, everyone is not using a 2.6-series kernel, and
> > to get the ALSA drivers for those who are not, you do
> > need this package.
>
> Okay, I grok that. So, then, is the option of compiling
> into the kernel an improvement, or not? It seems like it
> should be an improvement, otherwise, why do it? Or is it
> simply, like, replacing oss in the kernel?
Switch OSS off and compile the ALSA drivers as modules. The
difference between 2.4 and 2.6 is, that in 2.6 you do not
need to install the alsa-drivers as a separate package, but
these are included in the kernel source. This has nothing to
do with module or not, it simply tells that the ALSA drivers
are now included with the kernel sources. If you want them as
modules, you can do so, and if you want them to be directly
in the kernel binary, you can also do so.
I do not know what problem exists with world, but would your
problem exist if you unmerge the alsa-drivers? I guess not,
and so I'd recommend to do so, configuring and installing the
kernel anew and everything should be fine.
ALSA is a confusing stuff, but if it's running, it's great.
If you really want to do audio, take the 2.6 sources from
Gentoo, additionally apply the LSM linux-2.6.10-rt2.patch and
enable it in the kernel config, and you'll have a great audio
box.
Gruß & regards
ce
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