Skype for Ubuntu 9.04 and Realtek ALC888 chip
I've been fighting the problem with Skype in Ubuntu 9.04 ever since I replaced my old webcam that had a built-in mic (that also was a real pain in the back under Ubuntu) with a simple webcam without a mic. I decided to use a simple analog microphone with Skype assuming that there should be no problems with it. How wrong I was!
I'm writing this to help other people who may be experiencing the same problem because it took me about three days to find this solution. First let's describe the configuration of my system where I had the problems:
- MSI DKA790GX system board with integrated Realtek ALC888 sound chip attached to ATI 790GX
- Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope, 64-bit kernel
- ALSA sound system (PulseAudio is not installed, if you have it, remove it completely or you won't be able to solve this problem)
Part 1.
The mic plugged into the front panel jack won't work.
Solution:
Run 'alsamixer', press TAB to switch to 'Capture' devices, and set both input sources to 'Front mic'.
Go to System->Preferences->Sound and select the first "HDA ATI SB ALC888 Analog (ALSA)" input for recording. That will make your front mic the default sound source. You may test and see if this setting works for you, and if not, try to select something else. Don't test it with Skype yet, just use the 'Test' button there in the sound preferences.
In Skype go to Settings/Devices and choose "HDA ATI SB, ALC888 Analog Front speakers (front:CARD=SB,DEV=0)" as your mic. Don't ask me why it says 'speakers'. :)
Part 2.
When a test call is made with skype, the sound of your voice played back by the test service sounds slow and distorted like played back using a wrong (slower) sampling frequency.
Solution:
Use an older version of skype. Version 2.1.0.47 for Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid solved my problem. Yes, it installs fine on Jaunty 9.04.
I'm writing this to help other people who may be experiencing the same problem because it took me about three days to find this solution. First let's describe the configuration of my system where I had the problems:
- MSI DKA790GX system board with integrated Realtek ALC888 sound chip attached to ATI 790GX
- Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope, 64-bit kernel
- ALSA sound system (PulseAudio is not installed, if you have it, remove it completely or you won't be able to solve this problem)
Part 1.
The mic plugged into the front panel jack won't work.
Solution:
Run 'alsamixer', press TAB to switch to 'Capture' devices, and set both input sources to 'Front mic'.
Go to System->Preferences->Sound and select the first "HDA ATI SB ALC888 Analog (ALSA)" input for recording. That will make your front mic the default sound source. You may test and see if this setting works for you, and if not, try to select something else. Don't test it with Skype yet, just use the 'Test' button there in the sound preferences.
In Skype go to Settings/Devices and choose "HDA ATI SB, ALC888 Analog Front speakers (front:CARD=SB,DEV=0)" as your mic. Don't ask me why it says 'speakers'. :)
Part 2.
When a test call is made with skype, the sound of your voice played back by the test service sounds slow and distorted like played back using a wrong (slower) sampling frequency.
Solution:
Use an older version of skype. Version 2.1.0.47 for Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid solved my problem. Yes, it installs fine on Jaunty 9.04.