Configuring Pulseaudio's Virtual Sink: A Guide

When setting up Pulseaudio, it's not uncommon to encounter issues with output devices. One such issue is the presence of a virtual loopback module that can cause problems with sound output. In this article, we'll explore how to configure Pulseaudio's virtual sink and make it work for your audio needs.

Viewing Virtual Sink Devices

To view the virtual sink devices available on your system, you can use the `aplay -l` command. This will display a list of all available devices, including the virtual loopback module. For example:

```

Example output: Ĭard 1: Loopback, device 0: Loopback PCM

Ĭard 1: Loopback, device 1: Loopback PCM

```

Loading the Virtual Sink Module

To load the virtual sink module, you'll need to use the `pacmd` command. Open a terminal and run the following command:

```

pacmd load-module module-null-sink sink_name=Virtual_Sink sink_properties=description=Virtual_Sink

```

This will load the virtual sink module and make it available for use.

Making the Virtual Sink Permanent

To make the virtual sink permanent, you'll need to add a line to the Pulseaudio configuration file. Open the file `/etc/pulse/default.pa` in a text editor (such as `sudo gedit`) and add the following line:

```

load-module module-null-sink sink_name=Virtual_Sink sink_properties=description=Virtual_Sink

```

Save the changes to the file, then restart Pulseaudio. The virtual sink should now be available permanently.

Using the Virtual Sink

To use the virtual sink as a sound output device, you'll need an application that supports Pulseaudio and has a sound device selection dialog. Unfortunately, not all applications support Pulseaudio, so you may need to use a different approach.

If you're able to select the virtual sink in your application's sound settings, it should be available for use. You can test this by opening an application that outputs sound and selecting the Virtual_Sink as the output device.

In conclusion, configuring Pulseaudio's virtual sink is a simple process that requires loading the module and making it permanent. With this setup, you'll be able to use the virtual sink as a sound output device in your applications. While not all applications support Pulseaudio, the virtual sink can still be used with compatible applications.

References

* `aplay -l` command for viewing available devices

* `pacmd` command for loading and managing modules

* `/etc/pulse/default.pa` configuration file for permanent settings

Vb cable output