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Ubuntu's desktop gui is great for changing audio settings (System->Preferences->Sound), like the default input/output device and setting the volume.

However, I would like to be able to do these things from the command-line. What tool is the gui using behind the scenes?

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up vote 90 down vote accepted

You can control PulseAudio thoroughly through the command line using pacmd and pactl commands. For options see man pages or the wiki at PulseAudio:

pacmd list-sinks to list name or index number of possible sinks

pacmd set-default-sink "SINKNAME" to set the default output sink

pacmd set-default-source "SOURCENAME" to set the default input

pacmd set-sink-volume index volume

pacmd set-source-volume index volume for volume control (0 = Mute, 65536 = 100%)

and many many more CLI options.

Note: Changing the output sink through the command line interface can only take effect if stream target device reading is disabled. This can be done by editing the corresponing line in /etc/pulse/default.pa to:

load-module module-stream-restore restore_device=false

For a more elaborate tutorial on how to do this, and for instructions on how to change the sink during playback see this answer.

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2  
Pulseaudio has changed, the first command now should be pacmd list-sinks I think – Anwar Jun 14 '12 at 18:59
    
How would one go about setting an output device to the default input device? I have a Line6 ToneportUX1 (used for moulding guitar tones) that shows up as an output device in Ubuntu's sound control panel, but it should be an input device. – Rob Apr 30 '13 at 1:44
    
@MikeDtrick: this can't be done with these commands. I have no experience with USB devices, but I believe it may be a profile/driver/port/ALSA issue you may have. Is the device recognized as input in ALSA? – Takkat Apr 30 '13 at 6:46
    
I've just started using AlsaMixer, so I'm probably not going to be much help. Under /proc/asound/cards/ it lists the Toneport as a USB device and under /proc/asound/pcm it says playback 1: capture 1. This is all after running alsamixer and clicking [f2]. – Rob May 1 '13 at 19:15
    
If your pacmd list-sinks lists only one sink but you can see several output devices in System Settings > Sound, check this answer: askubuntu.com/questions/63599/… – Severo Raz Jul 20 '14 at 21:59
up vote 4 down vote

Yes there is type alsamixer in terminal

alt text

Press ,

F1 - Help

F2 - System Information

F6 - Select Sound Card

Esc - Exit the menu

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1  
alamixer seems good for changing the volume. How do I change the default device? – paleozogt Nov 19 '10 at 20:53
    
I use it only for adjusting volume levels.Try pressing F6 key and let me know if it helps you. – karthick87 Nov 20 '10 at 7:26
25  
F6 lets you choose a sound card to manipulate, but it doesn't change the default. – paleozogt Nov 20 '10 at 15:48

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