Bug 501028

Summary:	Using the systray-audio mixer, we get audio-dropouts switching between devices and applications
Product:	[Plasma] plasmashell	Reporter:	slartibart70
Component:	general	Assignee:	Plasma Bugs List <plasma-bugs-null>
Status:	RESOLVED UPSTREAM
Severity:	normal	CC:	kde, nate
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	git-stable-Plasma/6.3
Target Milestone:	1.0
Platform:	Fedora RPMs
OS:	Linux
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description slartibart70 2025-03-03 22:24:25 UTC

I'm using typicall pavucontrol for sound settings.
But, we also have a systray with a nice audio-control panel...

Let' start using this (click on loudspeaker icon in systray, best to pin it with 'keep open' button)

Now, simply click with the mouse on the 'devices' tab or the 'applications' tab ... back and forth again.
You will hear a very clear dropout/distortion of the currently playing audio signal when switching tabs.
Esp. when switching to 'device', the distortions in the audio carry on for a little while until they disappear. (they are way more faint, but still noticeable). These distortions remind me of the pops/clicks like on vinyl records

The same effect (but less noticeable) happens if you just open the 'audio volume' (click on loudspeaker) in systray

This never happens in pavucontrol when switching tab.
Maybe wear headphones for best 'effect' :-D

Comment 1 slartibart70 2025-03-03 22:25:50 UTC

Operating System: Fedora Linux 41
KDE Plasma Version: 6.3.80
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.12.0
Qt Version: 6.8.2
Kernel Version: 6.13.5-200.fc41.x86_64 (64-bit)
Graphics Platform: Wayland

plasma-workspace-6.3.80~53.gitf2412e0-1.fc41.x86_64

Comment 2 slartibart70 2025-03-03 22:33:17 UTC

One thing that needs to be said about pavucontrol:

Opening and closing this window/application also causes some audio-distortion. Sometimes i have the impression that the music 'slows down' for a bit, but this is very quick (still noticeable)
Especially when closing the window/app, we also have some dropouts in the current audio signal.
Just try opening/closing pavucontrol in short succession for the effect to happen (e.g. using shortcuts like Alt-1 for taskbar-quickstart and Alt-F4)

This does not happen for other windows, like starting/closing firefox or chrome

---
pipewire-1.2.7-4.fc41.x86_64

Comment 3 slartibart70 2025-03-03 22:37:56 UTC

one more thing: my headphone connection is wired, no bluetooth or other wireless connector (to rule out transmission problems or BT subsystems)

Comment 4 Nate Graham 2025-03-05 18:29:14 UTC

I can't reproduce this issue at all on my audio setup.

But the fact that this happens at all in pavucontrol too (per Comment 2) signals that the issue is not in any of our code; it's deeper in the audio stack. I'd recommend reaching out to your distro about this; hopefully they can help.