you need to add --log-time=true when starting pulseaudio I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: application.icon_name = "audacity" I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: module-stream-restore.id = "source-output-by-application-name:ALSA plug-in [audacity]" D: [pulseaudio] memblockq.c: memblockq requested: maxlength=4194304, tlength=0, base=4, prebuf=1, minreq=0 maxrewind=0 D: [pulseaudio] memblockq.c: memblockq sanitized: maxlength=4194304, tlength=4194304, base=4, prebuf=4, minreq=4 maxrewind=0 I: [pulseaudio] protocol-native.c: Final latency 60.00 ms = 30.00 ms + 30.00 ms D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: latency set to 30.00ms D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: hwbuf_unused=60244 audacity seem request low latency and set hwbuf_unused = 60244 D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: setting avail_min=442 D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: latency set to 30.00ms D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: hwbuf_unused=60244 D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: setting avail_min=442 D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: Requested volume: 0: 55% 1: 55% D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: in dB: 0: -15.59 dB 1: -15.59 dB D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: Got hardware volume: 0: 53% 1: 53% D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: in dB: 0: -16.50 dB 1: -16.50 dB D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: Calculated software volume: 0: 104% 1: 104% (accurate-enough=no) D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: in dB: 0: 0.91 dB 1: 0.91 dB D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] source.c: Volume not changing D: [pulseaudio] core-subscribe.c: Dropped redundant event due to change event. D: [pulseaudio] module-udev-detect.c: /dev/snd/controlC0 is accessible: yes D: [pulseaudio] module-udev-detect.c: Resuming all sinks and sources of card alsa_card.pci-0000_00_0f.0. D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: hwbuf_unused=0 D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: setting avail_min=15502 not sure why hwbuf_unsused was set to zero D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: Requested volume: 0: 55% 1: 55% D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: in dB: 0: -15.59 dB 1: -15.59 dB D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: Got hardware volume: 0: 53% 1: 53% D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: in dB: 0: -16.50 dB 1: -16.50 dB D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: Calculated software volume: 0: 104% 1: 104% (accurate-enough=no) D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: in dB: 0: 0.91 dB 1: 0.91 dB D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] source.c: Volume not changing D: [pulseaudio] module-suspend-on-idle.c: Source alsa_input.pci-0000_00_0f.0.analog-stereo becomes idle, timeout in 5 seconds. D: [pulseaudio] module-suspend-on-idle.c: Source alsa_input.pci-0000_00_0f.0.analog-stereo becomes idle, timeout in 5 seconds. D: [pulseaudio] core.c: Hmm, no streams around, trying to vacuum. I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: Freeing output 17 "ALSA Capture" I: [pulseaudio] module-stream-restore.c: Restoring device for stream source-output-by-application-name:ALSA plug-in [audacity]. D: [pulseaudio] module-intended-roles.c: Not setting device for stream ALSA Capture, because already set. I: [pulseaudio] module-stream-restore.c: Restoring volume for source output source-output-by-application-name:ALSA plug-in [audacity]. D: [pulseaudio] module-suspend-on-idle.c: Source alsa_input.pci-0000_00_0f.0.analog-stereo becomes busy, resuming. D: [pulseaudio] memblockq.c: memblockq requested: maxlength=33554432, tlength=0, base=4, prebuf=0, minreq=1 maxrewind=0 D: [pulseaudio] memblockq.c: memblockq sanitized: maxlength=33554432, tlength=33554432, base=4, prebuf=0, minreq=4 maxrewind=0 I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: Created output 18 "ALSA Capture" on alsa_input.pci-0000_00_0f.0.analog-stereo with sample spec s16le 2ch 44100Hz and channel map front-left,front-right I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: media.name = "ALSA Capture" I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: application.name = "ALSA plug-in [audacity]" I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: native-protocol.peer = "UNIX socket client" I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: native-protocol.version = "28" I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: application.process.id = "28751" I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: application.process.user = "martin" I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: application.process.host = "martin-N90SV" I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: application.process.binary = "audacity" I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: application.language = "de_AT.UTF-8" I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: window.x11.display = ":0" I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: application.process.machine_id = "b1897efd1271d7193610a64c51750c4a" I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: application.process.session_id = "c3" I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: application.icon_name = "audacity" I: [pulseaudio] source-output.c: module-stream-restore.id = "source-output-by-application-name:ALSA plug-in [audacity]" D: [pulseaudio] memblockq.c: memblockq requested: maxlength=4194304, tlength=0, base=4, prebuf=1, minreq=0 maxrewind=0 D: [pulseaudio] memblockq.c: memblockq sanitized: maxlength=4194304, tlength=4194304, base=4, prebuf=4, minreq=4 maxrewind=0 I: [pulseaudio] protocol-native.c: Final latency 60.00 ms = 30.00 ms + 30.00 ms D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: latency set to 30.00ms D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: hwbuf_unused=60244 hwbuf_unused was set to 60244 again D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: setting avail_min=442 D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: latency set to 30.00ms D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: hwbuf_unused=60244 D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: setting avail_min=442 D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: Requested volume: 0: 55% 1: 55% D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: in dB: 0: -15.59 dB 1: -15.59 dB D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: Got hardware volume: 0: 53% 1: 53% D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: in dB: 0: -16.50 dB 1: -16.50 dB D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: Calculated software volume: 0: 104% 1: 104% (accurate-enough=no) D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: in dB: 0: 0.91 dB 1: 0.91 dB D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] source.c: Volume not changing I: [pulseaudio] module-suspend-on-idle.c: Sink alsa_output.pci-0000_00_0f.0.analog-stereo idle for too long, suspending ... D: [pulseaudio] sink.c: Suspend cause of sink alsa_output.pci-0000_00_0f.0.analog-stereo is 0x0004, suspending I: [alsa-sink-ALC663 Analog] alsa-sink.c: Device suspended... D: [pulseaudio] module-udev-detect.c: /dev/snd/controlC0 is accessible: yes D: [pulseaudio] module-udev-detect.c: Resuming all sinks and sources of card alsa_card.pci-0000_00_0f.0. D: [pulseaudio] module-suspend-on-idle.c: Source alsa_input.pci-0000_00_0f.0.analog-stereo becomes idle, timeout in 5 seconds. D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: hwbuf_unused=0 D: [alsa-source-ALC663 Analog] alsa-source.c: setting avail_min=15502 but it was set to zero again capture dB = capture volume + int mic boost = 30dB + 13.5dB seem different from pulseaudio 's hardware volume Simple mixer control 'Capture',0 Capabilities: cvolume cswitch Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right Limits: Capture 0 - 31 Front Left: Capture 20 [65%] [13.50dB] [on] Front Right: Capture 20 [65%] [13.50dB] [on] Simple mixer control 'Internal Mic Boost',0 Capabilities: volume Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right Limits: 0 - 3 Front Left: 3 [100%] [30.00dB] Front Right: 3 [100%] [30.00dB]