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#1 2025-08-03 17:58:17

kjpetrie
Member
Registered: 2021-10-03
Posts: 15  

PA Volume Control defaults

Every time I try to play sound from my one of my machines (an old EEEPC 900 pressed into service as a sound source) I have to struggle with PA Volume Control to find the Output Devices Headphones Stream, unmute it, and turn it up to 100%.

How can I set that as default in PA Volume control so it just works without having to fiddle every time?

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#2 2025-08-03 18:29:54

golinux
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Registered: 2016-11-25
Posts: 3,535  

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

A better question might be, why are you using anything Pulse Audio?

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#3 2025-08-04 21:09:47

kjpetrie
Member
Registered: 2021-10-03
Posts: 15  

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

It's what was installed by default. I prefer Pipewire, myself, but it's not what came with the install. Since Devuan uses PA volume control, it's what I have and I want it to work with the minimum of trouble.

(Actually, I really preferred the days when we clicked the speaker icon in the systray for the master volume control or right-clicked to get more options like opening the mixer, but those days are gone and XFCE doesn't even have a speaker icon in the systray - in fact, I'm not sure it has a systray!)

Last edited by kjpetrie (2025-08-04 21:27:34)

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#4 2025-08-04 22:30:35

igorzwx
Member
Registered: 2024-05-06
Posts: 239  

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

For old computers, one may prefer MATE Desktop. It has a sound applet in the system tray.
_https://dev1galaxy.org/viewtopic.php?pid=54330#p54330

If you have problems with PulseAudio, you may try to remove it and use pure ALSA (without PulseAudio and PipeWire).
_https://dev1galaxy.org/viewtopic.php?pid=56368#p56368
_https://dev1galaxy.org/viewtopic.php?id=6644
_https://dev1galaxy.org/viewtopic.php?pid=55710#p55710
_https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Advanced_Linux_Sound_Architecture#Unmuting_the_channels

Last edited by igorzwx (2025-08-04 22:34:44)

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#5 2025-08-05 04:59:13

swanson
Member
Registered: 2020-04-22
Posts: 122  

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

This is pretty much what I used for setting default sound:

https://askubuntu.com/questions/1373232 … evice-port

PA is a nuisance and on my other machine (a DAW) I do Alsa only.

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#6 2025-08-05 15:30:57

greenjeans
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Registered: 2017-04-07
Posts: 1,118  
Website

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

You should be able to go into the repo and uninstall Pulse, and when you do it will want to replace it with Pipe. Don't know about XFCE though.

In Mate that's the way it works, and then after you've installed Pipe, you can go back in and uninstall Pipe, and you'll be left with pure sweet unadulterated ALSA, which is the best. The package volumeicon-alsa will install a volume control in your systray.

You may need an ~/.asoundrc in your home folder.

alsamixergui will give you a mixer. libasound2-plugin-equal will give you an EQ (you'll need both the .asoundrc and an asound.conf in /etc for the EQ). They are terminal based apps, but there is a nice GUI app that controls both available now. wink


https://sourceforge.net/projects/vuu-do/ New Vuu-do isos uploaded August 2025!
Vuu-do GNU/Linux, minimal Devuan-based Openbox and Mate systems to build on. Also a max version for OB.
Devuan 5 mate-mini iso, pure Devuan, 100% no-vuu-do. wink Devuan 6 version also available for testing.
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#7 2025-08-05 20:46:10

kjpetrie
Member
Registered: 2021-10-03
Posts: 15  

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

No go, I'm afraid. xfce4 depends on PA and I can't remove it without removing the desktop. Given how lightweight the desktop needs to be on such a low-spec machine I don't want to install anything heavier. Mate would be overkill.

$ inxi -F
System:
  Host: master14 Kernel: 6.1.0-37-686 arch: i686 bits: 32 Desktop: N/A
    Distro: Devuan GNU/Linux 5 (daedalus)
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: ASUSTeK product: 900 v: 0302
    serial: <superuser required>
  Mobo: ASUSTeK model: 900 v: x.xx serial: <superuser required>
    BIOS: American Megatrends v: 0302 date: 03/21/2008
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 34.9 Wh (79.9%) condition: 43.7/43.7 Wh (100.0%)
    volts: 8.3 min: 8.4
CPU:
  Info: single core model: Intel Celeron M bits: 32 cache: 512 KiB note: check
  Speed (MHz): 900 min/max: N/A core: 1: 900
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel Mobile 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Graphics driver: i915
    v: kernel
  Device-2: Genesys Logic USB 2.0 Camera type: USB driver: uvcvideo
  Display: x11 server: X.org v: 1.21.1.7 driver: X: loaded: intel
    unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,vesa dri: swrast gpu: i915 resolution:
    1: 1920x1080~60Hz 2: 1280x1024
  API: OpenGL v: 4.5 Mesa 22.3.6 renderer: llvmpipe (LLVM 15.0.6 128 bits)
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW High Definition Audio
    driver: snd_hda_intel
  API: ALSA v: k6.1.0-37-686 status: kernel-api
  Server-1: PulseAudio v: 16.1 status: active
Network:
  Device-1: Qualcomm Atheros AR242x / AR542x Wireless Network Adapter
    driver: ath5k
  IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <redacted>
  Device-2: Qualcomm Atheros Attansic L2 Fast Ethernet driver: atl2
  IF: eth0 state: down mac: <redacted>
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 11.27 GiB used: 3.86 GiB (34.2%)
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: ASUS model: PHISON OB SSD size: 3.76 GiB
  ID-2: /dev/sdb vendor: ASUS model: PHISON SSD size: 7.52 GiB
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 7.3 GiB used: 3.46 GiB (47.4%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sdb1
  ID-2: /home size: 2.65 GiB used: 410.1 MiB (15.1%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
Swap:
  ID-1: swap-1 type: partition size: 1014 MiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%)
    dev: /dev/sda5
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: N/A mobo: N/A
  Fan Speeds (RPM): cpu: 1510
Info:
  Processes: 121 Uptime: 38m Memory: 989.5 MiB used: 452.9 MiB (45.8%)
  Shell: sh inxi: 3.3.26

So we're back to the original question. How can I set the default audio level in PAVC so it comes on the way I want it without fiddling to set it up every time?

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#8 2025-08-05 21:29:50

igorzwx
Member
Registered: 2024-05-06
Posts: 239  

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

xfce4 is a meta package. It can be safely removed.

$ apt-file list xfce4
xfce4: /usr/share/doc/xfce4/NEWS.Debian.gz
xfce4: /usr/share/doc/xfce4/README.Debian
xfce4: /usr/share/doc/xfce4/changelog.gz
xfce4: /usr/share/doc/xfce4/copyright

Debian Wiki
_https://wiki.debian.org/metapackage
Package that depends on a group of packages that relate to a common activity. Metapackages are empty and exists to link related packages together via dependencies. Examples would include metapackages for installing games, development tools, or desktop environments.

For instance, when installing the Gnome desktop, the package "gnome", which is a metapackage, will install the full GNOME Desktop Environment, with extra components such as office software, a browser, and games.

xfce4 is heavy and buggy (because of innovations). MATE was optimized for old computers (2003-2008).
MATE is a fork of Gnome2 (which was deprecated in 2010).

Last edited by igorzwx (2025-08-06 00:51:51)

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#9 2025-08-05 21:34:02

greenjeans
Member
Registered: 2017-04-07
Posts: 1,118  
Website

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

I don't see where Pulse is required in the list of depends for xfce4, it does require xfce4-pulseaudio-plugin though (in the metapackage), which requires libpulse and one more pulse library.

I'm assuming you verified that the plugin is installed? That's where the tray icon/control seems to come from.

You also probably need pavucontrol if you haven't already installed that.

Really for that old machine just for music storage, you should roll you up a tiny little Openbox system with pure alsa, nice clean low-latency sound. Just throw something light like Rox-filer and Tint2 on there, you can customize for just that machine and it would be tiny.

Last edited by greenjeans (2025-08-05 21:34:37)


https://sourceforge.net/projects/vuu-do/ New Vuu-do isos uploaded August 2025!
Vuu-do GNU/Linux, minimal Devuan-based Openbox and Mate systems to build on. Also a max version for OB.
Devuan 5 mate-mini iso, pure Devuan, 100% no-vuu-do. wink Devuan 6 version also available for testing.
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#10 2025-08-05 21:54:08

igorzwx
Member
Registered: 2024-05-06
Posts: 239  

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

$ apt remove xfce4 --simulate
NOTE: This is only a simulation!

One may argue that "a wiki is useless" simply because any wiki (or technical documentation) is likely to be misunderstood. Debian may surely need a sort of very advanced AI which may help Linux users to understand Debian wiki.
There is a belief that "Linux provides a robust set of assistive technologies to support users with disabilities." However, Linux still does not provide any support for those affected with cognitive decline and dementia.

Last edited by igorzwx (2025-08-06 14:17:01)

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#11 2025-08-06 15:39:03

greenjeans
Member
Registered: 2017-04-07
Posts: 1,118  
Website

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

Linux still does not provide any support for those affected with cognitive decline and dementia.

Not altogether true. Some of us are working to simplify things. All these projects i've been working on lately, that are so simple most folks dismiss them with a laugh or a "windows 95" comment, have many reasons why they exist.

One of the main ones being I live in a town with a large population of folks over 60, my wife in fact does home care/therapy for a 92 year old lady. I'm working on apps that are simple to use and understand, with large print for old eyes, and things like buttons that say what they do right on them instead of symbols that folks may not understand. Things like that.


https://sourceforge.net/projects/vuu-do/ New Vuu-do isos uploaded August 2025!
Vuu-do GNU/Linux, minimal Devuan-based Openbox and Mate systems to build on. Also a max version for OB.
Devuan 5 mate-mini iso, pure Devuan, 100% no-vuu-do. wink Devuan 6 version also available for testing.
Please donate to support Devuan and init freedom! https://devuan.org/os/donate

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#12 2025-08-06 16:12:10

igorzwx
Member
Registered: 2024-05-06
Posts: 239  

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

The problem is that "helpful apps" might be harmful. For example, people with hearing loss tend to use equalizers to enhance certain frequencies. Such equalizers are likely to cause complete deafness and dementia.

Hearing loss can affect everyone from babies to people in their 60s and 70s. Many things may cause hearing loss, but exposure to loud noise is the most common reason people have the condition. Hearing loss can’t be reversed, but surgery to treat some issues can improve hearing ...
Most people lose their hearing gradually. They may not even notice that it’s happening.
_https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17673-hearing-loss

Hearing loss and the risk of dementia
_https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/managing-the-risk-of-dementia/reduce-your-risk-of-dementia/hearing-loss

Medical research indicates that solving puzzles can help slow down cognitive decline.
_https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/preventing-dementia-brain-exercises
Engaging in mentally stimulating activities, such as compilation of Debian packages, may help maintain cognitive abilities and potentially delay memory loss or dementia. From this point of view, your "apps that are simple to use and understand" might be rather harmful, because they prevent thinking, and, therefore, can accelerate cognitive decline.

Last edited by igorzwx (2025-08-06 16:55:32)

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#13 2025-08-06 22:26:41

greenjeans
Member
Registered: 2017-04-07
Posts: 1,118  
Website

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

I think your posts are giving people dementia.

big_smile


https://sourceforge.net/projects/vuu-do/ New Vuu-do isos uploaded August 2025!
Vuu-do GNU/Linux, minimal Devuan-based Openbox and Mate systems to build on. Also a max version for OB.
Devuan 5 mate-mini iso, pure Devuan, 100% no-vuu-do. wink Devuan 6 version also available for testing.
Please donate to support Devuan and init freedom! https://devuan.org/os/donate

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#14 2025-08-07 00:00:03

igorzwx
Member
Registered: 2024-05-06
Posts: 239  

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

greenjeans wrote:

I think your posts are giving people dementia.

It seems that they provoke thinking. Although, of course, thinking does not necessarily imply understanding.

Last edited by igorzwx (2025-08-07 00:17:21)

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#15 2025-08-07 00:16:20

zapper
Member
Registered: 2017-05-29
Posts: 1,104  

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

@greenjeans @igorzwx

If that were possible, I would have gotten dementia listening to and laughing at the orange guy in power rambling about nothing for the last 10 years.

big_smile

Last edited by zapper (2025-08-07 00:16:30)


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If you wish to be humbled, try to exalt yourself long term  If you wish to be exalted, try to humble yourself long term
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#16 2025-08-07 01:41:15

greenjeans
Member
Registered: 2017-04-07
Posts: 1,118  
Website

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

@greenjeans @igorzwx

If that were possible, I would have gotten dementia listening to and laughing at the orange guy in power rambling about nothing for the last 10 years.

As opposed to the doddering old parasite who in his dotage didn't really decide anything and couldn't in fact sign his own name to documents attributed to him?

There's your ultimate poster child for the dangers of dementia right there. Help folks yes, elect them to office...just no....


https://sourceforge.net/projects/vuu-do/ New Vuu-do isos uploaded August 2025!
Vuu-do GNU/Linux, minimal Devuan-based Openbox and Mate systems to build on. Also a max version for OB.
Devuan 5 mate-mini iso, pure Devuan, 100% no-vuu-do. wink Devuan 6 version also available for testing.
Please donate to support Devuan and init freedom! https://devuan.org/os/donate

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#17 2025-08-07 04:19:38

zapper
Member
Registered: 2017-05-29
Posts: 1,104  

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

@greenjeans who is to say both don't have dementia. I know this though, one of them isn't trying to find every damn way to overthrow democracy. tongue


Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. Feelings are not facts
If you wish to be humbled, try to exalt yourself long term  If you wish to be exalted, try to humble yourself long term
Favourite operating systems: Hyperbola Devuan OpenBSD
Peace Be With us All!

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#18 2025-08-07 07:40:05

stargate-sg1-cheyenne-mtn
Member
Registered: 2023-11-27
Posts: 359  

Re: PA Volume Control defaults

john perkins is a must-read(here is a 20yr-old interview at democracy now):

https://www.democracynow.org/2004/11/9/confessions_of_an_economic_hit_man

wikipedia and other links(for your convenience):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Perkins_(author)

https://johnperkins.org/economichitmanbook


Be Excellent to each other and Party On!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rph_1DODXDU
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_%26_Ted%27s_Excellent_Adventure
Do unto others as you would have them do instantaneously back to you!

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