Setting up audio from minimal install

**sithpigeon** · August 2nd, 2012

Hi there!

So, just for fun I decided to do a command line install of Ubuntu on a small partition on my laptop using the minimal installation disk (mini.iso). I've been having fun choosing each package I install so as to keep the install small, and have really only installed xorg, fluxbox, xterm, xfe, and chromium-browser so far in addition to what the minimal install put on.

I'm at the point where I'd like to get the audio working, but the more I research audio with linux, the more confused I get.

So my question is, what would one need to do in order to "install" audio on a minimal installation of Ubuntu? I presume I need to install an audio mixer and driver, but that seems too simple from what I've been reading. I'm guessing I'm quite confused at this point, and probably just need some clarification.

Thanks in advance!

**Rodney9** · August 2nd, 2012

Thanks to Lidex

Re: Sound after minimal install
Along with your clean minimal install you'll need these packages:

Code:

alsa-base
alsa-utils
alsa-oss
gstreamer0.10-alsa
libasound2
libasound2-plugins

Fluxbox Guide

http://tinyurl.com/7yf5o6s

Openbox Guide

http://urukrama.wordpress.com/openbox-guide/

Rodney

**sithpigeon** · August 3rd, 2012

Hi Rodney9,

Since I'm trying to really understand what's happening with what I install, would you mind briefly clarifying what each of those packages does, or pointing me to something that would?

Also, I installed the packages, restarted and then typed:

Code:

sudo aplay sound.wav

and I don't hear anything but I see:

Code:

Playing WAVE '/home/adam/downloads/sound.wav' : Signed 16 bit Little Edian, Rate 32000 Hz, Mono

In addition,

Code:

sudo lspci -v | grep -A7 -i "audio"

outputs

Code:

00:1e.2 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) AC'97Audio Controller (rev 03)
...

**sithpigeon** · August 25th, 2012

Started looking into this problem and randomly decided to try

Code:

alsactl init

and my sounds started playing. Now it's always working even after restart. Not sure what I did, but glad it's working now. If anyone can explain what I did that would be awesome.