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Understanding Linux Audio

Traditional Linux (such as Slackware, and as opposed to something more progressive like Red Hat and Fedora) deals with audio in its own unique way. The background and history of how and why is unimportant to actually using it, so this is a pragmatic overview of how and why Linux audio does what it does, and what you need to understand about it.

Identify All Devices

The first step in forming a meaningful bond with the audio system of your computer is to do a full system scan of its audio devices. This sounds like it is a complicated technical process, but actually it's entirely non-technical:

  1. Sit down in front of your computer.
  2. Unplug any peripherals (the display notwithstanding).
  3. Take an assessment of each physical audio port.

Do this even if you boot into Slackware and find that your sound just works.

Laptops

On laptops, the first thing you will probably notice is a headphone port and a microphone line-in. These are analogue audio ports.

Sometimes, unfortunately, a laptop design combines the headphone OUT port and the microphone IN jack. This not only cheats you out of versatility but it gets very confusing on the software side, so take special note of it should you have such a combined port.

Most laptops have, in addition to the audio ports that you see right away, inbuilt input and output: that is, a microphone (usually intended for use with a web cam) and speakers.

And finally, many laptops have HDMI or other digital audio outputs. You may or may not intend to use these, but you will need to account for them in software, so take note.

Desktops

On desktops and workstations, there are usually ports on the front and rear panels. For instance, you might find a headphone port and a microphone line-in for easy access in the front panel, and then six or seven more analogue audio ports in the back, usually meant to provide some degree of surround sound (or at least a left, right, and center channel).

Additionally, your desktop may have an HDMI port or other digital audio output. You may or may not intend to use these, but you will need to account for them in software, so take note.