[MacBook2,1, SigmaTel STAC9221 A1, Mic, Internal] Recording problem

[Chinarut]

What you expected to happen

Settings -> Sound -> Input to list internal mic (to test orange bars for recording from internal mic)

What actually happened

Settings -> Sound -> Input only lists "Digital Input (S/PDIF)" (no bars move because no digital input connected)

If possible, a minimal series of steps necessary to make it happen, where step 1 is "start the program"

1. Open Settings
2. Select Sound setting
3. Select Input tab

--

NOTE: ultimately, I want recording to work in apps such as Chrome, Firefox, Zoom, etc.

NOTE 2: mic recording was last working in Ubuntu 18.04.x (32-bit) instance on *same* MacBook hardware (this installation went corrupt so I can't reverify it still works unfortunately - I will add to this issue if I get the cycles to reinstall or at your request)

NOTE 3: interestingly enough, while using "ubuntu-bug" it was able to record from the mic on the 1st (of 2 tests the bug collector initiated).

--

$ lsb_release -rd
Description: Ubuntu 18.04.4 LTS
Release: 18.04

from "apt list --installed"

alsa-base/bionic,bionic,bionic,bionic,now 1.0.25+dfsg-0ubuntu5 all [installed]
alsa-utils/bionic,bionic,now 1.1.3-1ubuntu1 amd64 [installed]

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
Package: alsa-base 1.0.25+dfsg-0ubuntu5
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-76.86-generic 4.15.18
Uname: Linux 4.15.0-76-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: lkp_Ubuntu_4_15_0_76_86_generic_63
ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.11
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/pcmC0D1c: chinarut 1724 F...m pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC0: chinarut 1724 F.... pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
Date: Fri Mar 6 22:41:25 2020
InstallationDate: Installed on 2020-01-24 (42 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 18.04 LTS "Bionic Beaver" - Release amd64 (20180426)
PackageArchitecture: all
ProcEnviron:
 TERM=xterm-256color
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: alsa-driver
Symptom: audio
Symptom_AlsaRecordingTest: ALSA recording test through plughw:Intel successful
Symptom_Card: Built-in Audio - HDA Intel
Symptom_Jack: Mic, Internal
Symptom_PulseAudioRecordingTest: PulseAudio recording test through plughw:Intel failed
Symptom_Type: Only some of inputs are working
Title: [MacBook2,1, SigmaTel STAC9221 A1, Mic, Internal] Recording problem
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 06/27/07
dmi.bios.vendor: Apple Inc.
dmi.bios.version: MB21.88Z.00A5.B07.0706270922
dmi.board.asset.tag: Base Board Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: Mac-F4208CAA
dmi.board.vendor: Apple Inc.
dmi.board.version: PVT
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: Asset Tag
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Apple Inc.
dmi.chassis.version: Mac-F4208CAA
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAppleInc.:bvrMB21.88Z.00A5.B07.0706270922:bd06/27/07:svnAppleInc.:pnMacBook2,1:pvr1.0:rvnAppleInc.:rnMac-F4208CAA:rvrPVT:cvnAppleInc.:ct10:cvrMac-F4208CAA:
dmi.product.family: MacBook
dmi.product.name: MacBook2,1
dmi.product.version: 1.0
dmi.sys.vendor: Apple Inc.

[Chinarut (chinarut)]

ok - good news - I was able to repair my 32-bit 18.04.4 install on the *same* exact hardware and confirmed I am able to see (1) Microphone and (2) bars moving (see screenshot)

NOTE: my Unity desktop is corrupt on my 32-bit instance so what you are seeing is Volume Control from XCFE.

again, I want to be clear that this bug report is in regards to my *64-bit* Ubuntu install not listing two inputs (microphone and line in) in Settings.

the purpose of this followup is to demonstrate it is not a hardware issue. my 32-bit Ubuntu instance on the same hardware is able to access the internal microphone.

[Chinarut (chinarut)]

extra info:

Audacity is able to access the microphone as "sysdefault: Mic:0" using ALSA (see screenshot)

yet the default mic is not accessible in the Sound system setting in the Input tab.

[Chinarut (chinarut)]

Hi! I just want to chime in and document my workaround to use a generic UVC webcam with a built-in mic.

I attach a screenshot showing both a "multichannel input" and "microphone" once the UVC webcam is attached.

Notice the picklist still does not contain an item for the system built-in [analog] microphone.