Low audio volume on Thinkpad Helix

[Saverio Miroddi]

I have a Thinkpad Helix, which I dual boot with Windows 8.x and Ubuntu.

The audio volume in Ubuntu is low, compared to Windows, even when the device output is set on 100%.

For example, when I watch something, on VLC, I can increase both the VLC volume and the device output to more than 100%, say 130% each; in this case, I reach a volume comparable to Windows, but in this case is clipped.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 15.04
Package: pulseaudio 1:6.0-0ubuntu6
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.19.0-20.20-generic 3.19.8
Uname: Linux 3.19.0-20-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.17.2-0ubuntu1.1
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: saverio 1635 F.... pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: XFCE
Date: Sun Jun 14 13:17:10 2015
EcryptfsInUse: Yes
InstallationDate: Installed on 2015-06-14 (0 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Xubuntu 15.04 "Vivid Vervet" - Release amd64 (20150422.1)
SourcePackage: pulseaudio
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 09/17/2014
dmi.bios.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.bios.version: GFET50WW (1.29 )
dmi.board.asset.tag: Not Available
dmi.board.name: 37023L0
dmi.board.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.board.version: Win8 Pro MBR TPG
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Information
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.chassis.version: Not Available
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnLENOVO:bvrGFET50WW(1.29):bd09/17/2014:svnLENOVO:pn37023L0:pvrThinkPadHelix:rvnLENOVO:rn37023L0:rvrWin8ProMBRTPG:cvnLENOVO:ct10:cvrNotAvailable:
dmi.product.name: 37023L0
dmi.product.version: ThinkPad Helix
dmi.sys.vendor: LENOVO

[Raymond (superquad-vortex2)]

you have to file upstream bug report since alc269vb codec use secert coef to increase pre-amp output and only the expert know whether your alc269vc have this capability or not

do you find any special registry entry about the pre-amp in windows registry ?

[Raymond (superquad-vortex2)]

btw this look related to alsa driver instead of pulseaudio since clipping occur vlc software gain 130%
this mean pulseaudio use 130% software will also clip

[Saverio Miroddi (64kramsystem)]

Can you give me more detailed instructions on how to do this (report upstream, search in the registry)?

I've searched "preamp" and "pre-amp" in the windows registry, but couldn't find anything.

I'm aware of the clipping cause - I was pointing that, given that the volume is low, raising it above 100% (which causes clipping) is the only way to have loud enough audio.

Thanks!