Sound not quite right

Jann · February 18, 2024, 4:42pm

Dear community,

I have finally pulled the trigger and installed QubesOS (Latest version/Download) on my DELL Vostro 7590 Laptop.

Apart from Qubes being amazing for what I think an OS should be, I do have some sound issues:

The sound just seems off and it sometimes / randomly starts to sound like an old ATARI, e.g. when playing a video or a Telegram Notification comes up. This then persists, and only goes away when I open the PulseAudio Volume Control from the System Settings. It then gets better but still sounds crackling when there is talking, or when a violin is playing in a video, there is just this off sound to it.

According to DELLs own specification, it is a Realtek ALC3254 controller. Pulse says it’s a Cannon Lake PCH cAVS HDMI.

Aside from this install being my daily driver, I am planning on using QubesOS for video creation purposes. So having both graphics and sound working would be a good thing.

Please may I ask for help and advise how to improve the sound? Is it a settings thing? Is it a compatibility issue?
I am new to Qubes so please excuse my potentially silly questions.

FranklyFlawless · February 18, 2024, 7:11pm

What audio device are you using to listen to system sounds?

Jann · February 19, 2024, 9:34am

Hi, thank you for your time here.

I am using the inbuilt speakers. I have also tried switching to inbuilt speakers of my monitors which sound the same.

apparatus · February 19, 2024, 12:53pm

github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues

Sound output issues after update

opened 09:11AM - 21 Jul 22 UTC

blockisec

T: bug C: kernel C: Xen P: major hardware support needs diagnosis waiting for upstream C: audio affects-4.1

[How to file a helpful issue](https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/issue-tracking/) #…## Qubes OS release Qubes release 4.1.1 (R4.1) ### Brief summary After the latest update of dom0 audio is either not working at all, or the output is distorted. ### Steps to reproduce Just watch a video online or do a call using jitsi or teams. ### Expected behavior Have clean sound as before. ### Actual behavior If there is any output at all, it is distorted. ### Additional Stuff I noticed - A few reboots brings the sound back, if there was non before. - I only did a few tests but I noticed that the issue is not there when pavucontrol is open (without doing any changes in there)

FranklyFlawless · February 19, 2024, 8:44pm

Okay, what happens when you use headphones?

PeakUnshift · February 19, 2024, 8:55pm

I had this issue a long time ago, and it was linked to the amount of RAM assigned to the VM or the audio process in some way. I don’t remember all the details, but try to increase it. The sound might be cracking because the process doesn’t have enough power to handle it.

Jann · February 22, 2024, 7:46pm

Hi both,

I have increased the RAM on all VMs that I am planning on using sound and it appears to work much better. But I HAVE TO HAVE Pulse Volume Control running. Once it is running, it seems okay.

Strange though…