Arch Linux Audio Configuration

Arch Linux Audio Configuration Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to configuring audio on Arch Linux, including PulseAudio, PipeWire, ALSA, and audio troubleshooting.

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Table of Contents

1. Understanding Audio Systems
2. PulseAudio Setup
3. PipeWire Setup
4. ALSA Configuration
5. Audio Device Management
6. Bluetooth Audio
7. Troubleshooting

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Understanding Audio Systems

Audio Stack

Linux audio layers:

1. ALSA: Low-level audio driver
2. PulseAudio/PipeWire: Audio server
3. Applications: Use audio server

Audio Systems

Available systems:

• PulseAudio: Traditional audio server
• PipeWire: Modern replacement
• ALSA: Direct hardware access

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PulseAudio Setup

Install PulseAudio

Install PulseAudio:

# Install PulseAudio
sudo pacman -S pulseaudio pulseaudio-alsa pavucontrol

# For Bluetooth
sudo pacman -S pulseaudio-bluetooth

Enable PulseAudio

Start PulseAudio:

# Enable user service
systemctl --user enable pulseaudio
systemctl --user start pulseaudio

# Check status
systemctl --user status pulseaudio

PulseAudio Control

GUI control:

# Open PulseAudio Volume Control
pavucontrol

# Or from terminal
pulseaudio -k && pulseaudio --start

Configure PulseAudio

Edit config:

# User config
vim ~/.config/pulse/default.pa

# System config
sudo vim /etc/pulse/default.pa

Common settings:

# Set default sink
set-default-sink alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo

# Set default source
set-default-source alsa_input.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo

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PipeWire Setup

Install PipeWire

Install PipeWire:

# Install PipeWire
sudo pacman -S pipewire pipewire-pulse pipewire-alsa pipewire-jack

# For Bluetooth
sudo pacman -S pipewire-pulse pipewire-alsa

Enable PipeWire

Start PipeWire:

# Enable services
systemctl --user enable pipewire pipewire-pulse pipewire-media-session

# Start services
systemctl --user start pipewire pipewire-pulse pipewire-media-session

# Check status
systemctl --user status pipewire

PipeWire Control

GUI control:

# Install control tools
sudo pacman -S wireplumber helvum

# Open control
helvum

Migrate from PulseAudio

Switch to PipeWire:

# Stop PulseAudio
systemctl --user stop pulseaudio
systemctl --user disable pulseaudio

# Start PipeWire
systemctl --user enable pipewire pipewire-pulse
systemctl --user start pipewire pipewire-pulse

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ALSA Configuration

ALSA Basics

ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture):

# Install ALSA
sudo pacman -S alsa-utils alsa-firmware

# Test sound
speaker-test -c 2

# List devices
aplay -l

ALSA Mixer

Control volume:

# Open ALSA mixer
alsamixer

# Or use amixer
amixer set Master 50%

ALSA Configuration

Edit ALSA config:

# User config
vim ~/.asoundrc

# System config
sudo vim /etc/asound.conf

Example config:

pcm.!default {
    type hw
    card 0
}

ctl.!default {
    type hw
    card 0
}

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Audio Device Management

List Audio Devices

Check available devices:

# List PulseAudio sinks
pactl list short sinks

# List PulseAudio sources
pactl list short sources

# List ALSA devices
aplay -l
arecord -l

Set Default Device

Configure default:

# Set default sink (PulseAudio)
pactl set-default-sink sink-name

# Set default source
pactl set-default-source source-name

Switch Audio Device

Change device:

# List sinks
pactl list sinks short

# Set default
pactl set-default-sink 1

# Move application
pactl move-sink-input input-index sink-name

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Bluetooth Audio

Install Bluetooth

Setup Bluetooth:

# Install Bluetooth
sudo pacman -S bluez bluez-utils

# Enable service
sudo systemctl enable bluetooth
sudo systemctl start bluetooth

Connect Bluetooth Audio

Pair device:

# Start Bluetooth
bluetoothctl

# Scan for devices
scan on

# Pair device
pair MAC-ADDRESS

# Connect
connect MAC-ADDRESS

# Trust device
trust MAC-ADDRESS

PulseAudio Bluetooth

Enable Bluetooth support:

# Install Bluetooth module
sudo pacman -S pulseaudio-bluetooth

# Restart PulseAudio
pulseaudio -k && pulseaudio --start

PipeWire Bluetooth

Bluetooth with PipeWire:

# Install support
sudo pacman -S pipewire-pulse

# Restart PipeWire
systemctl --user restart pipewire pipewire-pulse

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Troubleshooting

No Sound

Check audio system:

# Check if PulseAudio running
pulseaudio --check -v

# Restart PulseAudio
pulseaudio -k && pulseaudio --start

# Check ALSA
alsamixer

Audio Device Not Detected

Check hardware:

# List PCI audio devices
lspci | grep Audio

# Check kernel modules
lsmod | grep snd

# Load module
sudo modprobe snd-hda-intel

Volume Too Low

Increase volume:

# ALSA mixer
alsamixer

# Or use amixer
amixer set Master 100%
amixer set PCM 100%

Audio Cracking/Popping

Fix audio issues:

# Edit PulseAudio config
vim ~/.config/pulse/daemon.conf

Add:

default-sample-rate = 48000
avoid-resampling = yes

Restart:

pulseaudio -k && pulseaudio --start

Microphone Not Working

Check microphone:

# List sources
pactl list sources short

# Set default source
pactl set-default-source source-name

# Test recording
arecord -d 5 test.wav
aplay test.wav

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Summary

This guide covered:

1. Audio systems - ALSA, PulseAudio, PipeWire
2. PulseAudio - Traditional audio server
3. PipeWire - Modern audio system
4. ALSA - Low-level audio
5. Device management - Switch devices
6. Bluetooth audio - Wireless audio
7. Troubleshooting - Common issues

Key Takeaways:

• PulseAudio is traditional choice
• PipeWire is modern replacement
• ALSA is low-level driver
• Use pavucontrol for GUI control
• Check alsamixer for hardware control

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Next Steps

• Arch Linux Graphics Drivers - GPU setup
• Arch Linux Hardware Configuration - More hardware
• ArchWiki PulseAudio: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/PulseAudio
• ArchWiki PipeWire: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/PipeWire

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This guide is based on the ArchWiki. For the most up-to-date information, always refer to the official ArchWiki.