unable to adjust Bass speaker in alsamixer

[papapenguin]

my computer has a configuration of 2 tweeters and 2 speakers. I only have output from the 2 tweeters.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA401QH

2x 2.5W speaker with Smart Amp Technology
2x 0.7W tweeter

Kubuntu 24.04
Kernel 6.8.0-88-generic

I can see the Bass speaker in alsamixer, but I cannot adjust the output.

Any suggestions?

[jlittle]

You are using the arrow keys?

[papapenguin]

You are using the arrow keys?

yes, as you see there is no vertical bar above Bass speaker either

[papapenguin]

I also asked a similar question in a previous post:

https://www.kubuntuforums.net/forum/...h-asus-rog-g14

I'm not sure if this issue is a bios issue, an ALSA issue or ?

[papapenguin]

there must be something happening with ALSA that shows the Bass Speaker as null...

[Snowhog]

Maybe this: https://askubuntu.com/questions/1225...-10-asus-zenbo

[papapenguin]

Maybe this: https://askubuntu.com/questions/1225...-10-asus-zenbo

My analog-input.conf.common file is a bit different. It doesn't have the [Element PCM] block.

Therefore, would pasting the few lines:

[Element Master]
switch = mute
volume = ignore

actually do anything?

I've attached my analog-input.conf.common file.

[Snowhog]

The link specifies the output file: analog-output.conf.common

[papapenguin]

The link specifies the output file: analog-output.conf.common

while searching what went wrong I also noticed what I did!

[papapenguin]

added the lines but get this:

donald@donald:~$ pulseaudio -k
E: [pulseaudio] main.c: Failed to kill daemon: No such process

alsamixer still displays Bass Speaker as null -- the same output as original post

[Snowhog]

Undo what you did.

Maybe...

AI Overview

When PulseAudio shows your bass speaker but won't let you adjust it, it usually means the mix isn't set up right at the ALSA level, you're hitting volume limits, or you need to tweak PulseAudio's config to recognize it as a separate channel (like disabling flat volumes or using
pavucontrol for proper channel mapping). Check your physical connections first, then dive into PulseAudio Volume Control (pavucontrol) to find the correct output profile and adjust individual channels/levels.

Quick Fixes (Try These First)

• Check Physical Connections & Ports: Ensure all speaker cables, especially for surround sound or subs, are in the correct jacks and fully plugged in.
• Use pavucontrol (PulseAudio Volume Control):
  • Install it if you don't have it: sudo apt install pavucontrol (Debian/Ubuntu) or sudo pacman -S pavucontrol (Arch).
  • Open pavucontrol.
  • Go to the Configuration tab. Make sure your sound card is set to a profile that supports bass (e.g., "Analog Surround 4.0/5.1 Output" or similar).
  • Go to the Output Devices tab and look for the bass/subwoofer channel (often labeled LFE/Subwoofer). Try adjusting its volume slider or checking if it's muted.
  • Go to the Playback tab to see per-application volumes; sometimes app-specific settings interfere.

Advanced Solutions (If Quick Fixes Fail)

• Disable Flat Volumes: Your system might be using "flat volumes," which makes individual channel adjustment hard.
  • Edit ~/.config/pulse/daemon.conf (or /etc/pulse/daemon.conf).
  • Add or uncomment flat-volumes = no.
  • Restart PulseAudio: pulseaudio -k && pulseaudio --start.
• Check ALSA Levels with alsamixer:
  • Open terminal: alsamixer.
  • Press F6 to select your sound card.
  • Use arrow keys to find channels like "Subwoofer," "LFE," "Bass," or "Front".
  • Use M to unmute (MM = Muted, nothing = Unmuted) and Up/Down arrows to adjust levels.
• Reset PulseAudio: Sometimes a clean slate helps.
  • pulseaudio -k
  • rm -r ~/.config/pulse (this deletes your user configs)
  • pulseaudio --start or reboot.

If these steps don't work, the issue might be with your specific hardware or a newer system running PipeWire (which replaces PulseAudio); check for PipeWire-specific tools if needed.

[papapenguin]

I may remove those lines.

this is the strange thing though:

donald@donald:~$ pulseaudio -k
E: [pulseaudio] main.c: Failed to kill daemon: No such process

[claydoh]

Pipewire is being used, not Pulseaudio, since before 24.04

So:

systemctl restart --user pipewire​

It *might* be worth deleting the state files before doing this, as this will reset all device preferences and maybe some options, basically resets things;

Remove ~/.local/state/wireplumber.

It won't hurt anything, but it also might not be the fix, unless it was working at some point in the recent past.

It seems that these laptops have crappy audio bits, at least for Linux.

[papapenguin]

I manually started pulseaudio, which may mean that it doesn't run automatically (?). I was also able to kill it.

donald@donald:~$ pulseaudio --start
donald@donald:~$ alsamixer
donald@donald:~$ pulseaudio -k

alsamixer still showed no control options for Bass Speaker

[papapenguin]

I can toggle between Mute (MM) and 00 . It seems to be the only control in ALSA that I have over that Bass Speaker