I cant get USB audio working for anything

[Robochris]

I'm having a hell of a time getting this to work...

I have followed instructions here:
https://www.woltersadvertising.com/how- ... -retropie/

Here:
https://github.com/Aloshi/EmulationStation/issues/433

And here:
https://sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=144

Nothing.

No sound will come out and I've started getting the error "cant find mixer elements".
I also tried copying the audio config file from wermys mintypi setup script because im using the same usb sound card as the original mintypi.. The first time I couldnt even get a game to launch so I reflashed the sd card. now they play like normal just no sound.
Also, when i press start and go to audio setting, select "speaker" I adjust the volume from zero-100, but when I exit the menu and go back to audio, the level is back to zero... why wont that stay?

this is my third gbz and Im confident in my wiring and soldering but if you want to see it, I can attach photos.

Im about to give up on usb audio and go back to pwm..

Thoughts?

[VeteranGamer]

I'm having a hell of a time getting this to work...

I have followed instructions here:
https://www.woltersadvertising.com/how- ... -retropie/

Here:
https://github.com/Aloshi/EmulationStation/issues/433

And here:
https://sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=144

Nothing.

No sound will come out and I've started getting the error "cant find mixer elements".

this is my third gbz and Im confident in my wiring and soldering but if you want to see it, I can attach photos.

Im about to give up on usb audio and go back to pwm..

Thoughts?

dont give up on USB audio....


if you get an error message...
this means you've maybe set the system to USB audio (only presuming here)....

but i feel you might have an hardware issue....

if you're using the same USB dac as the mintyPi....
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/5V-USB- ... autifyAB=0


then it might not be a bad idea to just test it on a mintyPi .img (even though this image works with any USB sound card)
these reasoning behind this suggestion is...
because this USB dac doesnt have a status LED like the other USB sound cards you don't immediately know if its working...

at least with testing on the mintyPi .img, you'll know straight away if its defeientely a hardware issue as the boot logo/splash video has sound...

it may seem like a long winded way of doing things, but at least you know software wise everything is ok...
and then just concentrate on the hardware....



.

[Robochris]

I'm having a hell of a time getting this to work...

I have followed instructions here:
https://www.woltersadvertising.com/how- ... -retropie/

Here:
https://github.com/Aloshi/EmulationStation/issues/433

And here:
https://sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=144

Nothing.

No sound will come out and I've started getting the error "cant find mixer elements".

this is my third gbz and Im confident in my wiring and soldering but if you want to see it, I can attach photos.

Im about to give up on usb audio and go back to pwm..

Thoughts?

dont give up on USB audio....


if you get an error message...
this means you've maybe set the system to USB audio (only presuming here)....

but i feel you might have an hardware issue....

if you're using the same USB dac as the mintyPi....
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/5V-USB- ... autifyAB=0


then it might not be a bad idea to just test it on a mintyPi .img (even though this image works with any USB sound card)
these reasoning behind this suggestion is...
because this USB dac doesnt have a status LED like the other USB sound cards you don't immediately know if its working...

at least with testing on the mintyPi .img, you'll know straight away if its defeientely a hardware issue as the boot logo/splash video has sound...

it may seem like a long winded way of doing things, but at least you know software wise everything is ok...
and then just concentrate on the hardware....



.

yep, same DAC. Ill test with a mintypi img. If it works then, can I just use that image, will I have to modify configs to work with the the gbz?

[VeteranGamer]

yep, same DAC. Ill test with a mintypi img. If it works then, can I just use that image, will I have to modify configs to work with the the gbz?

personally....
i would avoid using the mintypi .img in a GBZ build....
unless you have most of that which is in a mintyPi
SPI screen
GPIO controls
ADS1015 (battery monitor)
USB dac
Function button

as evetrything is mintyPi orientated....
themes (this could be changed)
boot/splash video (this could be changed)
menus (you'll still have mintyPi update in the retropiemenu)

which will just look off....
and you wont be able to use some of the functions (via the function button)


for testing...
you dont really need to do anything....
flash SD Card
insert
let it do its thing...

and you know on the first proper boot if everything works...


personally....
because you got the error message
i think your issues are hardware, either the USB dac or a USB hub (if using a hub)

but at least you'll be able to rule out software issues....



.

[Robochris]

yep, same DAC. Ill test with a mintypi img. If it works then, can I just use that image, will I have to modify configs to work with the the gbz?

personally....
i would avoid using the mintypi .img in a GBZ build....
unless you have most of that which is in a mintyPi
SPI screen
GPIO controls
ADS1015 (battery monitor)
USB dac
Function button

as evetrything is mintyPi orientated....
themes (this could be changed)
boot/splash video (this could be changed)
menus (you'll still have mintyPi update in the retropiemenu)

which will just look off....
and you wont be able to use some of the functions (via the function button)


for testing...
you dont really need to do anything....
flash SD Card
insert
let it do its thing...

and you know on the first proper boot if everything works...


personally....
because you got the error message
i think your issues are hardware, either the USB dac or a USB hub (if using a hub)

but at least you'll be able to rule out software issues....



.

Alright, so still no sound using the minty pi img. but the error messages are gone.. I dont really know where to go from here. I guess ill post some pics of my hardware..

[Robochris]

So I just tested the headphone jack and I can confirm I have sound through headphones but not the speaker..
I re soldered from the volume wheel directly to the speaker, skipping the headphone jack, still no sound. Do I need an amplifier? I thought I could get away without one.

[rodocop]

Should not need an amp. Do you have any pics of your wiring?

Could also try 32teeths guide for USB audio. (Step 5)

https://github.com/32teeth/Gameboy-Zero ... INSTALL.md

[Codemaster123]

So I just tested the headphone jack and I can confirm I have sound through headphones but not the speaker..
I re soldered from the volume wheel directly to the speaker, skipping the headphone jack, still no sound. Do I need an amplifier? I thought I could get away without one.

problem with volume whell, replace volume wheel and check wiring

[Robochris]

Should not need an amp. Do you have any pics of your wiring?

Could also try 32teeths guide for USB audio. (Step 5)

https://github.com/32teeth/Gameboy-Zero ... INSTALL.md

Okay, just finished a full reflash and configure. I followed the guide you linked but results were no different than before.
I also changed out the volume wheel and the headphone jack itself too.. no change.

Are you sure I dont really need an amp? Even though I get sound through the headphones (so I know the DAC is working) The volume is still low... Like limiting headphones for kids if you know what i mean...

I have ordered a pack of amps anyways.

[VeteranGamer]

I also changed out the volume wheel and the headphone jack itself too.. no change.

Are you sure I dont really need an amp? Even though I get sound through the headphones (so I know the DAC is working) The volume is still low... Like limiting headphones for kids if you know what i mean...

I have ordered a pack of amps anyways.

I'm not 100% sure what your setup is....

But from what I gathered it's
USB dac
Headphone socket
Volume wheel
Speaker
(Could be wrong)...

It should be...
USB dac
Volume wheel (optional)
Headphone socket
Amp (optional)
Speaker


You could miss out the volume wheel, and have it setup like the mintyPi...
And control the volume via the Hotkey + L & R...


But it would help if you could post pics of your wiring setup...
You may just have something out of place...



.