Sound Software

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Sound on Linux is the absolute biggest bunch of bullshit ever, closely ~~trailing~~ sound on computers and sound itself.

Sound on Linux is the absolute biggest bunch of bullshit ever, closely trailed by sound on computers and sound itself.

[[File:Pcm1792a.jpeg|thumb|right|Burr Brown PCM 1792A block diagram]]

==Terminology==

[[File:Burrbrown1792a.jpeg|right|thumb|Burr Brown PCM 1792A DAC]]

* HDA: Intel High Definition Audio specification

* ELD: [[EDID]]-Like Data. Structured capability data returned by graphics-oriented devices.

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* DAT: Digital Audio Tape, a 48k/44.1k/32k medium using 4mm magnetic tape

==Hardware==

I recommend the [http://www.guru3d.com/article/asus-xonar-essence-st-deluxe-review/ Xonar Essence ST] PCI card, making use of the [[#File:Pcm1792a.pdf|Burr Brown PCM 1792A]] DAC and Cirrus CS5381 ADC, for an in-machine solution.

* You'll need the <tt>snd-virtuoso</tt> ALSA driver (C-Media CMI8788 Oxygen HD Audio).

===USB DACs===

* Watch for true USB Audio Class 2.0 and solid asynchronous solutions

* "[http://www.eetimes.com/design/audio-design/4009467/The-D-A-diaries-A-personal-memoir-of-engineering-heartache-and-triumph The D-A Diaries]" is an excellent article regarding the difficulties of producing accurate sound via USB output.

** Essentially: USB has a clockless wire, thus there must be clocks on each side, which *will* drift

** If the USB device doesn't have its own crystal, it might even time based off AC power

* USB Audio Class 1 is limited to the 24bit, 96KHz maximum supported by USB 1.x (12Mbps)

== Kernel ==

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* The (somewhat outdated) [http://lau.linuxaudio.org/audio_quality_howto.htm Linux High-Quality Audio HOWTO]

* The computeraudiophile.com [http://www.computeraudiophile.com/faq Computer Audiophile FAQs]

* "[http://www.head-fi.org/t/160612/pros-cons-of-usb-dac-against-sound-card Pros and Cons of USB DACs]" on head-fi.org

* "[http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Configuring_Digital_Sound Configuring Digital Sound]" on the MythTV wiki

* [http://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/index.html The Well-Tempered Computer] and the [http://www.digitalaudioblog.com Digital Audio Blog]

* ...and, of course, [http://www.stereophile.com/ stereophile.com]

Sound Software: Difference between revisions

Dank (talk | contribs)

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Sound on Linux is the absolute biggest bunch of bullshit ever, closely trailing sound on computers and sound itself.
+Sound on Linux is the absolute biggest bunch of bullshit ever, closely trailed by sound on computers and sound itself.
+[[File:Pcm1792a.jpeg|thumb|right|Burr Brown PCM 1792A block diagram]]
 ==Terminology==
+[[File:Burrbrown1792a.jpeg|right|thumb|Burr Brown PCM 1792A DAC]]
 * HDA: Intel High Definition Audio specification
 * ELD: [[EDID]]-Like Data. Structured capability data returned by graphics-oriented devices.
@@ Line 18: / Line 19: @@
 * DAT: Digital Audio Tape, a 48k/44.1k/32k medium using 4mm magnetic tape
+==Hardware==
+I recommend the [http://www.guru3d.com/article/asus-xonar-essence-st-deluxe-review/ Xonar Essence ST] PCI card, making use of the [[#File:Pcm1792a.pdf|Burr Brown PCM 1792A]] DAC and Cirrus CS5381 ADC, for an in-machine solution.
+* You'll need the <tt>snd-virtuoso</tt> ALSA driver (C-Media CMI8788 Oxygen HD Audio).
+===USB DACs===
+* Watch for true USB Audio Class 2.0 and solid asynchronous solutions
+* "[http://www.eetimes.com/design/audio-design/4009467/The-D-A-diaries-A-personal-memoir-of-engineering-heartache-and-triumph The D-A Diaries]" is an excellent article regarding the difficulties of producing accurate sound via USB output.
+** Essentially: USB has a clockless wire, thus there must be clocks on each side, which *will* drift
+** If the USB device doesn't have its own crystal, it might even time based off AC power
+* USB Audio Class 1 is limited to the 24bit, 96KHz maximum supported by USB 1.x (12Mbps)
 == Kernel ==
@@ Line 73: / Line 83: @@
 * The (somewhat outdated) [http://lau.linuxaudio.org/audio_quality_howto.htm Linux High-Quality Audio HOWTO]
 * The computeraudiophile.com [http://www.computeraudiophile.com/faq Computer Audiophile FAQs]
+* "[http://www.head-fi.org/t/160612/pros-cons-of-usb-dac-against-sound-card Pros and Cons of USB DACs]" on head-fi.org
 * "[http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Configuring_Digital_Sound Configuring Digital Sound]" on the MythTV wiki
 * [http://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/index.html The Well-Tempered Computer] and the [http://www.digitalaudioblog.com Digital Audio Blog]
 * ...and, of course, [http://www.stereophile.com/ stereophile.com]