I was wrapping my brain around managing multiple audio devices, and was finding it difficult. Here is what I have, all generically USB compliant for use on Linux:
- 4 In / 4 Out USB Mixer
- 12 Channel USB Mixer
- USB Stereo Microphone w/ Headphone Output
- USB Docking Station w/ Headphone Output
- Everything is connected through Powered USB 3.0 hubs
- TP-Link Bluetooth 5.0 adapter
I can see (plus assign) all of these devices over Pipewire's qpwgraph, but am struggling to assign them directly within:
The Solution
- QPWGraph can be used to visually assign.
- Don't forget to save your existing configuration, so you don't lose it!
- Real-time assignments add up quickly!
- Wireplumber handles configuration files directly.
- pw-jack will manage Jack assignments in Pipewire
Why was it confusing?
- Outside of
qpwgraph, I'm not seeing each audio interface listed within any of my DAW options.
- Each application seems confused between
ALSA and pulseaudio. I see the devices becoming available within pulseaudio and alsamixer because both are supported.
- I've never used
JACK, so I had no opinion on it, beyond knowing pipewire is meant to replace it.
- I'll start working on the Midi input/output mappings next.
- And video assignments, which is supported in Pipewire (although might be a bit experimental)
The Goal
My goal is to actually use all of these through the computer, because I've always handled everything in hardware directly as a musician. Hoping to finally break the 4-track and 8-track habit, by embracing the computer instead. Might as well explore the digital side as part of the show.
Progress
Happy to report I've had no difficult with running any number of simultaneous + parallel audio interfaces over USB after assigning in Pipewire tooling! Awesome!
Example Output Routing
- USB Microphone -> Reaper
- Reaper -> USB Microphone attached Headphones
- Reaper -> Built-in Stereo Speakers
- Reaper -> Bluetooth Speakers in other room
- Web Browser -> Bluetooth