Pulseaudio set-default-stream not working

**pbn5012** · October 21st, 2021

As is common on this forum, the specific question that I am asking here is not really the problem I want to solve, and the real solution to my problem may involve a totally different tactic. Furthermore I think I do understand why my approach isn't working, so this question might be a waste of time, but I want to explain my approach so someone can suggest how I can adapt it or modify it to achieve the same end.

Regardless of whether the specific problem I'm asking is insurmountable as construed in the most narrow sense I will start with the specific question rather than the general question.

Code:

 Ubuntu Release:    21.10
Codename:    impish

Pulseaudio version 15.0

pactl 15.0
Compiled with libpulse 15.0.0
Linked with libpulse 15.0.0

pacmd 15.0
Compiled with libpulse 15.0.0
Linked with libpulse 15.0.0

I am trying to change the default sink in Pulseaudio but nothing happens.

Initial status:

Code:

$ pacmd list-sinks

pacmd list-sinks
4 sink(s) available.
    index: 0
    name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp_5__sink>
    driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
    flags: HARDWARE DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
    state: IDLE
    suspend cause: (none)
    priority: 9037
    volume: front-left: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB,   front-right: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
            balance 0.00
    base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
    volume steps: 65537
    muted: no
    current latency: 32.28 ms
    max request: 7 KiB
    max rewind: 7 KiB
    monitor source: 0
    sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
    channel map: front-left,front-right
                 Stereo
    used by: 0
    linked by: 1
    configured latency: 40.00 ms; range is 0.50 .. 341.33 ms
    card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic>
    module: 6
    properties:
        alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
        device.api = "alsa"
        device.class = "sound"
        alsa.class = "generic"
        alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
        alsa.name = ""
        alsa.id = "HDMI3 (*)"
        alsa.subdevice = "0"
        alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
        alsa.device = "5"
        alsa.card = "0"
        alsa.card_name = "sof-hda-dsp"
        alsa.long_card_name = "LENOVO-81TD-LenovoYogaC740_15IML-LNVNB161216"
        alsa.driver_name = "snd_soc_skl_hda_dsp"
        device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic"
        sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/skl_hda_dsp_generic/sound/card0"
        device.bus = "pci"
        device.vendor.id = "8086"
        device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
        device.product.id = "02c8"
        device.product.name = "Comet Lake PCH-LP cAVS"
        device.string = "hw:sofhdadsp,5"
        device.buffering.buffer_size = "65536"
        device.buffering.fragment_size = "16384"
        device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
        device.profile.name = "HiFi: hw:sofhdadsp,5: sink"
        device.profile.description = "HDMI3 Output"
        alsa.mixer_device = "hw:sofhdadsp"
        device.description = "Comet Lake PCH-LP cAVS HDMI3 Output"
        module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
        device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
    ports:
        [Out] HDMI3: HDMI3 Output (priority 700, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
            properties:
                
    active port: <[Out] HDMI3>
    index: 1
    name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp_4__sink>
    driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
    flags: HARDWARE DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
    state: IDLE
    suspend cause: (none)
    priority: 9036
    volume: front-left: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB,   front-right: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
            balance 0.00
    base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
    volume steps: 65537
    muted: no
    current latency: 37.70 ms
    max request: 7 KiB
    max rewind: 7 KiB
    monitor source: 1
    sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
    channel map: front-left,front-right
                 Stereo
    used by: 0
    linked by: 1
    configured latency: 40.00 ms; range is 0.50 .. 341.33 ms
    card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic>
    module: 6
    properties:
        alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
        device.api = "alsa"
        device.class = "sound"
        alsa.class = "generic"
        alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
        alsa.name = ""
        alsa.id = "HDMI2 (*)"
        alsa.subdevice = "0"
        alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
        alsa.device = "4"
        alsa.card = "0"
        alsa.card_name = "sof-hda-dsp"
        alsa.long_card_name = "LENOVO-81TD-LenovoYogaC740_15IML-LNVNB161216"
        alsa.driver_name = "snd_soc_skl_hda_dsp"
        device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic"
        sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/skl_hda_dsp_generic/sound/card0"
        device.bus = "pci"
        device.vendor.id = "8086"
        device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
        device.product.id = "02c8"
        device.product.name = "Comet Lake PCH-LP cAVS"
        device.string = "hw:sofhdadsp,4"
        device.buffering.buffer_size = "65536"
        device.buffering.fragment_size = "16384"
        device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
        device.profile.name = "HiFi: hw:sofhdadsp,4: sink"
        device.profile.description = "HDMI2 Output"
        alsa.mixer_device = "hw:sofhdadsp"
        device.description = "Comet Lake PCH-LP cAVS HDMI2 Output"
        module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
        device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
    ports:
        [Out] HDMI2: HDMI2 Output (priority 600, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
            properties:
                
    active port: <[Out] HDMI2>
    index: 2
    name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp_3__sink>
    driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
    flags: HARDWARE DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
    state: IDLE
    suspend cause: (none)
    priority: 9035
    volume: front-left: 10288 /  16% / -48.25 dB,   front-right: 10288 /  16% / -48.25 dB
            balance 0.00
    base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
    volume steps: 65537
    muted: no
    current latency: 32.37 ms
    max request: 7 KiB
    max rewind: 7 KiB
    monitor source: 2
    sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
    channel map: front-left,front-right
                 Stereo
    used by: 0
    linked by: 1
    configured latency: 40.00 ms; range is 0.50 .. 341.33 ms
    card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic>
    module: 6
    properties:
        alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
        device.api = "alsa"
        device.class = "sound"
        alsa.class = "generic"
        alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
        alsa.name = ""
        alsa.id = "HDMI1 (*)"
        alsa.subdevice = "0"
        alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
        alsa.device = "3"
        alsa.card = "0"
        alsa.card_name = "sof-hda-dsp"
        alsa.long_card_name = "LENOVO-81TD-LenovoYogaC740_15IML-LNVNB161216"
        alsa.driver_name = "snd_soc_skl_hda_dsp"
        device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic"
        sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/skl_hda_dsp_generic/sound/card0"
        device.bus = "pci"
        device.vendor.id = "8086"
        device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
        device.product.id = "02c8"
        device.product.name = "Comet Lake PCH-LP cAVS"
        device.string = "hw:sofhdadsp,3"
        device.buffering.buffer_size = "65536"
        device.buffering.fragment_size = "16384"
        device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
        device.profile.name = "HiFi: hw:sofhdadsp,3: sink"
        device.profile.description = "HDMI1 Output"
        alsa.mixer_device = "hw:sofhdadsp"
        device.description = "Comet Lake PCH-LP cAVS HDMI1 Output"
        module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
        device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
    ports:
        [Out] HDMI1: HDMI1 Output (priority 500, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
            properties:
                
    active port: <[Out] HDMI1>
  * index: 3
    name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp__sink>
    driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
    flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
    state: IDLE
    suspend cause: (none)
    priority: 9032
    volume: front-left: 6553 /  10% / -60.00 dB,   front-right: 6553 /  10% / -60.00 dB
            balance 0.00
    base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
    volume steps: 65537
    muted: no
    current latency: 30.67 ms
    max request: 7 KiB
    max rewind: 7 KiB
    monitor source: 3
    sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
    channel map: front-left,front-right
                 Stereo
    used by: 0
    linked by: 1
    configured latency: 40.00 ms; range is 0.50 .. 341.33 ms
    card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic>
    module: 6
    properties:
        alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
        device.api = "alsa"
        device.class = "sound"
        alsa.class = "generic"
        alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
        alsa.name = ""
        alsa.id = "HDA Analog (*)"
        alsa.subdevice = "0"
        alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
        alsa.device = "0"
        alsa.card = "0"
        alsa.card_name = "sof-hda-dsp"
        alsa.long_card_name = "LENOVO-81TD-LenovoYogaC740_15IML-LNVNB161216"
        alsa.driver_name = "snd_soc_skl_hda_dsp"
        device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic"
        sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/skl_hda_dsp_generic/sound/card0"
        device.bus = "pci"
        device.vendor.id = "8086"
        device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
        device.product.id = "02c8"
        device.product.name = "Comet Lake PCH-LP cAVS"
        device.string = "hw:sofhdadsp"
        device.buffering.buffer_size = "65536"
        device.buffering.fragment_size = "16384"
        device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
        device.profile.name = "HiFi: hw:sofhdadsp: sink"
        device.profile.description = "Speaker + Headphones"
        alsa.mixer_device = "hw:sofhdadsp"
        device.description = "Comet Lake PCH-LP cAVS Speaker + Headphones"
        module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
        device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
    ports:
        [Out] Speaker: Speaker (priority 100, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
            properties:
                
        [Out] Headphones: Headphones (priority 200, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
            properties:
                
    active port: <[Out] Speaker>

As you can see there are four sinks. The default one has index 3, its name is

Code:

alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp__sink

.
pactl also gives the same answer:

Code:

$ pactl get-default-sink
alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp__sink

I want to change the default sink to the one with index 2 whose name is

Code:

alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp_3__sink

so I run

Code:

 $ pactl set-default-sink alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-
skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp_3__sink

or

Code:

$ pactl set-default-sink 2

but in both cases, nothing happens. The output in both cases is the same as before.

This answer: https://askubuntu.com/questions/7186...uring-playback
says

PulseAudio pacmd is not capable of switching the default sinks while there is an actively playing stream to the sink input. However there is a way to still achieve this.

As far as I know there is no actively playing streams to the sink input. For example, I have

Code:

$ pacmd list-sink-inputs
0 sink input(s) available.

I optimistically added the line

Code:

load-module module-stream-restore restore_device=false

to my /etc/pulse/default.pa file and
and restarted pulseaudio, but this didn't solve the problem.

Now, I do think I understand why this is happening. The conversation here seems relevant:
https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=102987
As Nils Alex says,

This seems to be not a bug but desired behaviour. After pa_core_set_configured_default_sink() has set up the new default sink, the function pa_core_update_default_sink() is called.
If your new sink is not linked (that is, not SUSPENDED, IDLE or RUNNING) or if it is linked but all outputs are unavailable, this function will set a "better" sink as default sink.
In my case, the new sink is an HDMI sink and I tried the command while not being connected to any HDMI device. pa_core_set_configured_default_sink() did what it should do, but afterwards pa_core_update_default_sink() set the default sink to my old one.

My case is similar to Nils's. I *do not* have a physical HDMI cable actually plugged into my computer, which presumably explains why the output reads
[CODE]Ports:
[Out] HDMI1: HDMI1 Output (type: HDMI, priority: 500, not available)
[/CODE
]The reason I am doing this is that I want to mimic the setup suggested in the highest-voted answer to this question.

https://superuser.com/questions/6054...ces-over-wi-fi

I was able to follow the instructions in the top answer easily, and everything works. However, for the line in the suggested script

Code:

pactl load-module module-simple-protocol-tcp rate=48000 format=s16le  channels=2 source=<source_name_here> record=true port=8000

I want the source to be something other than the default speakers or headphones, because I don't want the sound coming through the speakers when I play music. So I want to set the HDMI1 as default precisely *because* it's unavailable. I want a dummy sink which is connected to no real output and only exists so the tcp protocol can stream it to wifi.

I can't figure out how to silence the speakers without muting the stream itself.

I *can* just move an existing audio stream from the default sink to the HDMI sink, and that works fine. But it's really temperamental, because anything that causes the stream to stop and restart (pausing the video, etc.) causes the newly restarted stream to switch back to the default. So I still would really prefer the default to be changed to HDMI1. Is there any way to do this? If not, how would you recommend that I solve the problem of pushing audio to wifi without it coming through the speakers?

**TheFu** · October 21st, 2021

Code:

$ pactl set-default-sink alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-
skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp_3__sink

won't work. It needs to be all on one line:

Code:

 $ pactl set-default-sink alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp_3__sink

Or you can use a line-wrap with

Code:

 $ pactl set-default-sink \
   alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__hw_sofhdadsp_3__sink

if you prefer. The '\' cannot have any characters after it - no space or no tabs allowed.

Just tested this on 21.10. It worked. I did need to go into pavucontrol and unmute the output.

Code:

$ pactl list short sinks
0       alsa_output.pci-0000_00_04.0.analog-stereo      module-alsa-card.c     s16le 2ch 44100Hz        RUNNING

$ pactl     set-default-sink    alsa_output.pci-0000_00_04.0.analog-stereo
$ pavucontrol &

Clearly, "alsa_output.pci-0000_00_04.0.analog-stereo" was in the list from the prior command. It wasn't "RUNNING" the first time, but I'm listening to some music through it now that I'm typing this up.

**Holger_Gehrke** · October 22nd, 2021

Why don't you create a null-sink (a pseudo device that's connected to nothing) ?

Code:

pacmd load-module module-null-sink sink_name=simplenet

Then just set source to simplenet.monitor. This is the way it's described in the pulseaudio documentation in the section for rtp-streaming, should work the same with simple-protocol-tcp ...

Holger

Thread: Pulseaudio set-default-stream not working

Thread Tools

Display

Pulseaudio set-default-stream not working

Re: Pulseaudio set-default-stream not working

Re: Pulseaudio set-default-stream not working

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions