Beyond Linux® From Scratch - Version 2012-01-16

Chapter 38. Multimedia Libraries and Drivers

ALSA Library-1.0.24.1

Introduction to ALSA Library

The ALSA Library package contains the ALSA library. This is used by programs (including ALSA Utilities) requiring access to the ALSA sound interface.

This package is known to build and work properly using an LFS-7.0 platform.

Package Information

ALSA Library Dependencies

Optional

Doxygen-1.7.5 and resmgr

User Notes: http://wiki.linuxfromscratch.org/blfs/wiki/alsa-lib

Kernel Configuration

In the Device Drivers ⇒ Sound ⇒ Advanced Linux Sound Architecture section of the kernel configuration, select the settings and drivers appropriate for your hardware. Ensure that the deprecated Device Drivers ⇒ Sound ⇒ Open Sound System is not selected. If necessary, recompile and install your new kernel.

Installation of ALSA Library

Install ALSA Library by running the following commands: 

./configure --enable-static &&
make

This package does not come with a test suite.

Now, as the root user: 

make install &&
install -v -m644 -D doc/asoundrc.txt \
    /usr/share/doc/alsa-lib-1.0.24.1/asoundrc.txt

If you have Doxygen installed and you wish to build the library API documentation, run the following commands from the top-level directory of the source tree: 

make doc

Now, to install the API documentation, as the root user: 

install -v -d -m755 /usr/share/doc/alsa-1.0.24.1/html &&
install -v -m644 doc/doxygen/html/* /usr/share/doc/alsa-1.0.24.1/html

Command Explanations

--enable-static: This switch is used to enable building the static library as some programs link against it.

Configuring ALSA Library

Config Files

~/.asoundrc, /etc/asound.conf, /usr/share/alsa/alsa.conf, and /usr/share/alsa/{cards,pcm}/*.conf

Configuration Information

The default alsa.conf is adequate for most installations. For extra functionality and/or advanced control of your sound device, you may need to create additional configuration files. For information on the available configuration parameters, visit http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-doc/doc-php/asoundrc.php.

Contents

Installed Program: aserver
Installed Libraries: libasound.{so,a} and smixer-*.{so,a}
Installed Directories: /usr/include/alsa, /usr/lib/alsa-lib, /usr/share/alsa and /usr/share/doc/alsa-lib-1.0.24.1

Short Descriptions

aserver

provides the ALSA server.

libasound.{so,a}

provides ALSA functions for application programs.

smixer-*.{so,a}

provides hardware dependent ALSA mixer functions.

Last updated on 2011-12-12 20:16:56 +0000