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Overview

PulseAudio is a sound server that provides advanced audio routing and mixing capabilities for Linux systems. This guide covers installation and configuration for Arch Linux.

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Installation

Install PulseAudio and common utilities: 
sudo pacman -S pulseaudio pulseaudio-alsa pavucontrol
Packages:
  • pulseaudio - Core sound server
  • pulseaudio-alsa - ALSA integration
  • pavucontrol - GUI volume control
Optional packages: 
sudo pacman -S pulseaudio-bluetooth  # Bluetooth audio support
sudo pacman -S pulseaudio-jack       # JACK audio integration

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User Mode vs System Mode

PulseAudio runs in per-user mode by default, which is the recommended configuration for desktop systems.
Running PulseAudio in system-wide mode is not recommended for most use cases and can cause security and performance issues.

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Configuration File

The main configuration file is located at /etc/pulse/default.pa. User-specific configuration (if needed): 
mkdir -p ~/.config/pulse
cp /etc/pulse/default.pa ~/.config/pulse/

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Module Loading

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Device Restore Modules

Automatically restore volume levels and device settings: 
load-module module-device-restore
load-module module-stream-restore
load-module module-card-restore
These modules save:
  • Device volume levels
  • Stream volumes
  • Sound card profiles

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Application Integration

Augment property information from .desktop files: 
load-module module-augment-properties
This improves application identification in volume controls.

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Port Switching

Automatically switch audio when devices are connected/disconnected: 
load-module module-switch-on-port-available
This module should be loaded after restore modules but before detection modules.

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Hardware Detection

PulseAudio uses module-udev-detect for automatic hardware discovery: 
.ifexists module-udev-detect.so
load-module module-udev-detect
.else
load-module module-detect
.endif
This automatically detects and configures:
  • Sound cards
  • USB audio devices
  • HDMI audio outputs

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Manual Driver Loading

For systems without udev support or for specific hardware: 
#load-module module-alsa-sink
#load-module module-alsa-source device=hw:1,0
#load-module module-oss device="/dev/dsp" sink_name=output source_name=input

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Bluetooth Support

Enable Bluetooth audio devices: 
.ifexists module-bluetooth-policy.so
load-module module-bluetooth-policy
.endif

.ifexists module-bluetooth-discover.so
load-module module-bluetooth-discover
.endif
Required package: 
sudo pacman -S pulseaudio-bluetooth

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JACK Integration

For professional audio work, integrate with JACK: 
.ifexists module-jackdbus-detect.so
.nofail
load-module module-jackdbus-detect channels=2
.fail
.endif
This allows PulseAudio and JACK to coexist, automatically connecting when JACK is running.

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Protocol Modules

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Local Protocols

Enable Unix socket communication: 
load-module module-dbus-protocol
load-module module-native-protocol-unix

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Network Audio (Optional)

For streaming audio over the network: 
#load-module module-native-protocol-tcp
#load-module module-zeroconf-publish
Network audio protocols are disabled by default for security. Only enable on trusted networks.

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RTP Streaming (Optional)

For multicast audio streaming: 
#load-module module-null-sink sink_name=rtp format=s16be channels=2 rate=44100
#load-module module-rtp-send source=rtp.monitor
#load-module module-rtp-recv

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Advanced Features

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Default Device Management

Automatically restore default sink/source when changed: 
load-module module-default-device-restore

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Fallback Sink

Ensure a sink is always available (even if it’s silent): 
load-module module-always-sink

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Intended Roles

Route audio based on application roles (music, video, game, etc.): 
load-module module-intended-roles

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Idle Suspension

Automatically suspend audio devices when idle to save power: 
load-module module-suspend-on-idle

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Session Management

Integrate with systemd login sessions: 
.ifexists module-systemd-login.so
load-module module-systemd-login
.endif

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Positioned Event Sounds

Enable 3D audio positioning for event sounds: 
load-module module-position-event-sounds

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Audio Filtering

Automatic filter loading (echo cancellation, noise reduction, etc.): 
load-module module-filter-heuristics
load-module module-filter-apply
These modules automatically apply appropriate filters based on hardware and usage patterns.

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Cork on Phone Calls

Automatically pause music when phone audio is active: 
# load-module module-role-cork
Uncomment to enable.

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Setting Default Devices

Set default sink (output) and source (input): 
#set-default-sink output
#set-default-source input
Alternatively, set via command line: 
pactl set-default-sink alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo
pactl set-default-source alsa_input.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo

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Command Line Tools

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pactl

Control PulseAudio from the command line: 
# List sinks (outputs)
pactl list sinks short

# List sources (inputs)
pactl list sources short

# Set volume (0-65536, 65536 = 100%)
pactl set-sink-volume @DEFAULT_SINK@ 50%

# Mute/unmute
pactl set-sink-mute @DEFAULT_SINK@ toggle

# Get server info
pactl info

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pacmd

Interactive PulseAudio command line: 
# Enter interactive mode
pacmd

# Or run single commands
pacmd list-sinks
pacmd list-sources
pacmd set-default-sink <sink-name>

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pavucontrol

Launch the graphical volume control: 
pavucontrol
Features:
  • Per-application volume control
  • Device selection and profiles
  • Recording device configuration
  • Port selection for multi-output cards

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Troubleshooting

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No Sound Output

  1. Check if PulseAudio is running: 
    pulseaudio --check
echo $?  # 0 = running, 1 = not running
  2. Start PulseAudio if not running: 
    pulseaudio --start
  3. Check for errors: 
    pulseaudio -vvv

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Audio Crackling or Stuttering

Edit /etc/pulse/daemon.conf (or ~/.config/pulse/daemon.conf): 
default-sample-rate = 48000
alternate-sample-rate = 44100
default-fragments = 4
default-fragment-size-msec = 25
Restart PulseAudio: 
pulseaudio -k
pulseaudio --start

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Bluetooth Audio Issues

  1. Ensure Bluetooth modules are loaded: 
    pactl list modules | grep bluetooth
  2. Restart Bluetooth service: 
    sudo systemctl restart bluetooth
  3. Reload PulseAudio: 
    pulseaudio -k
pulseaudio --start

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Device Not Detected

  1. Check ALSA devices: 
    aplay -l   # List playback devices
arecord -l # List recording devices
  2. Reload ALSA modules: 
    sudo alsactl restore
  3. Restart PulseAudio: 
    systemctl --user restart pulseaudio

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Check PulseAudio Logs

journalctl --user -u pulseaudio -f

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Starting PulseAudio

PulseAudio starts automatically when audio applications run (socket activation via systemd).

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Manual Start

pulseaudio --start

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Restart PulseAudio

pulseaudio -k        # Kill current instance
pulseaudio --start   # Start new instance
Or with systemd: 
systemctl --user restart pulseaudio

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File Locations

  • System configuration: /etc/pulse/default.pa
  • User configuration: ~/.config/pulse/default.pa
  • Daemon settings: /etc/pulse/daemon.conf
  • User daemon settings: ~/.config/pulse/daemon.conf
  • Client settings: /etc/pulse/client.conf

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Additional Resources

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