Bug 472420

Summary:	[Feature Request] (Audio): Keep microphone in 'Analog Stereo Output' mode
Product:	[Applications] systemsettings	Reporter:	BOF <bugs_kde_org.5.kuru>
Component:	general	Assignee:	Plasma Bugs List <plasma-bugs-null>
Status:	RESOLVED UPSTREAM
Severity:	normal	CC:	nate
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	5.27.6
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	Other
OS:	Linux
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed In:
Sentry Crash Report:
Attachments:	Analog Stereo Duplex with microphone and settings popup Analog Stereo Duplex without microphone Suggestion Analog Stereo Duplex without microphone

Description BOF 2023-07-20 07:25:32 UTC

SUMMARY
When you switch the audio profile from "Analog Stereo Duplex" to "Analog Stereo Output" the entry for the microphone is removed.
I usually use "Analog Stereo Output" to be able to record the system output directly with eg. Audacity. When I switch the entry, the entry for the microphone is removed. There is no indication that there even is a microphone in the system which leaves the big question (especially for new users) why it's not working

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Open settings menu
2. Go to Audio settings
3. Switch audio profile from "Analog Stereo Duplex" to "Analog Stereo Output"

OBSERVED RESULT
The entry for the microphone is removed and there is no hint where it went or how to bring it back

SUGGESTED RESULT
The entry for the microphone is not removed, but just simply greyed out. A small text could indicate why you can not control the settings.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The story behind the problem:
A week ago I wanted to talk to a customer via Zoom and it took me a good while during preparation before I was able to figure out why Zoom did not pick up the microphone. I knew that I had a microphone build into my system and that it was working before (I saw it in the pop-up setting in the bottom right corner and I was able to record audio with it).
Since I knew that it worked before I was able to look around which setting this might could cause.
If I was a new user and didn't know about the setting I would probably think that the microphone does not work under Linux (which is 1. not true, 2. just a trivial change in the settings away and 3. potentially leaves users with a bad impression)

Comment 1 BOF 2023-07-20 07:27:56 UTC

Created attachment 160404 [details]
Analog Stereo Duplex with microphone and settings popup

Default view in the "Analog Stereo Duplex" mode where the microphone is not removed.

Comment 2 BOF 2023-07-20 07:30:11 UTC

Created attachment 160405 [details]
Analog Stereo Duplex without microphone

"Analog Stereo Output" mode where the microphone is removed even it is detected by the system and works fine if you change the profile.

Comment 3 BOF 2023-07-20 07:42:38 UTC

Created attachment 160406 [details]
Suggestion Analog Stereo Duplex without microphone

My suggestion for the "Analog Stereo Output" mode where the microphone is *not* removed but rather kept with a note.
The UI changes are 1) de-saturation 2) a white layer with 30% transparency 3) Gaussian blur with 0,5px to separate it from other options.
The note is a simple and clear text that the microphone is not working (but detected) and why that is or what settings you would have to change to activate the setting.

Comment 4 Nate Graham 2023-09-08 21:59:48 UTC

Does the same thing happen if you install the "PulseAudio Volume Control" app and use it to make this same change?

Comment 5 BOF 2023-09-17 13:17:40 UTC

(In reply to Nate Graham from comment #4)
> Does the same thing happen if you install the "PulseAudio Volume Control"
> app and use it to make this same change?

Yes. It does exactly the same thing.
If you have the settings app and the PulseAudio Volume Control app open, you can watch the entry in the settings app vanish when you change the value in the Volume Control app.

(I installed the PulseAudio Volume Control in version 5.0 from flathub if that makes any difference)

Comment 6 Nate Graham 2023-09-18 18:31:07 UTC

Thanks. In that case, this issue is deeper than any KDE code, and I would recommend submitting a bug report to either the PulseAudio or PipeWire bug trackers, depending on which one your distro uses.

https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/pulseaudio/pulseaudio/-/issues
https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/pipewire/pipewire/-/issues