Thanks much, this clarifies some things. Screen reader users will have one process running constantly and will need at least another process to permit any other program to generate sound simultaneously. I have pulseaudio on this system and alsa and that probably will be enough for my uses. -- Jude <jdashiel at panix dot com> "There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order." Ed Howdershelt 1940. On Mon, 27 Nov 2023, Ralf Mardorf wrote:
On Mon, 2023-11-27 at 04:22 -0500, Jude DaShiell wrote:
When is it a good choice to install a sound server and when is installing a sound server a waste of disk space?
Hi,
what is probably most relevant, I would say roughly summarised: If several programs are to be able to access a sound card, then it is probably most convenient to use a sound server that can also, but not necessarily, resample. Some programmes, IIRC e.g. the one or other screen recorder, do not offer the possibility of working without a sound server.
I myself use ALSA directly or jackd with ALSA, because I always know in advance that only one programme, like a browser, will need the sound card or because I'm about to start an audio production. I neither use a desktop environment nor use the computer for home entertainment.
For desktop environment sound and home entertainment sound lovers, a sound server is certainly preferable to my approach.
Regards, Ralf