Consider upstreaming as snd-usb-audio quirk instead of custom kernel module #3

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opened 2026-02-24 19:07:43 +00:00 by thebrianbug · 2 comments

thebrianbug commented

2026-02-24 19:07:43 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

Note

This issue was written with the help of an LLM (Claude).

Idea

Have you looked into whether the Wave:3's Feature Unit controls (Entity 5 headphone mute/volume, Entity 6 mic mute/gain) could be exposed through standard ALSA mixer mappings via a snd-usb-audio quirk entry?

If the USB Audio Class descriptors already advertise these controls properly, it might be possible to add a quirk to snd-usb-audio so that amixer / alsamixer / PipeWire can control them natively — no custom kernel module needed.

Why it might be worth exploring

Standard ALSA mixer controls would integrate with PipeWire, PulseAudio, and desktop volume controls out of the box
No need to maintain an out-of-tree kernel module across kernel versions
Other tools and desktop environments would pick up the controls automatically

Context

The kernel module approach works great right now, and this is not a criticism of it — just wondering if you'd explored this path and whether the Wave:3's descriptors make it feasible. You'd know best from the Wireshark captures whether snd-usb-audio is ignoring/mishandling the control descriptors or if there's something non-standard about how the Wave:3 exposes them.

Totally understand if this isn't practical — just wanted to surface the idea.

> [!NOTE] > This issue was written with the help of an LLM (Claude). ## Idea Have you looked into whether the Wave:3's Feature Unit controls (Entity 5 headphone mute/volume, Entity 6 mic mute/gain) could be exposed through standard ALSA mixer mappings via a `snd-usb-audio` quirk entry? If the USB Audio Class descriptors already advertise these controls properly, it might be possible to add a quirk to `snd-usb-audio` so that `amixer` / `alsamixer` / PipeWire can control them natively — no custom kernel module needed. ## Why it might be worth exploring - Standard ALSA mixer controls would integrate with PipeWire, PulseAudio, and desktop volume controls out of the box - No need to maintain an out-of-tree kernel module across kernel versions - Other tools and desktop environments would pick up the controls automatically ## Context The kernel module approach works great right now, and this is not a criticism of it — just wondering if you'd explored this path and whether the Wave:3's descriptors make it feasible. You'd know best from the Wireshark captures whether `snd-usb-audio` is ignoring/mishandling the control descriptors or if there's something non-standard about how the Wave:3 exposes them. Totally understand if this isn't practical — just wanted to surface the idea.

x4ndr0m3d4x commented

2026-02-25 09:00:34 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

@thebrianbug I did look into this. snd-usb-audio does expose the controls, but they didn't work reliably for me. Muting didn't do anything on the hardware level, and I wasn't getting accurate info on the current volume levels either.

If you have a specific approach in mind and don't have Wave:3, I'm happy to test it myself.

@thebrianbug I did look into this. `snd-usb-audio` does expose the controls, but they didn't work reliably for me. Muting didn't do anything on the hardware level, and I wasn't getting accurate info on the current volume levels either. If you have a specific approach in mind and don't have Wave:3, I'm happy to test it myself.

thebrianbug commented

2026-02-27 03:15:24 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

I'm a n00b at kernel. I have no idea, I'm just posting an LLM's feedback.

But the point does make sense. If there is a potential approach that could remove the kernel dependency in something that could be up-streamed, that's a win.

Great thing to ask a good LLM about

I'm a n00b at kernel. I have no idea, I'm just posting an LLM's feedback. But the point does make sense. If there is a potential approach that could remove the kernel dependency in something that could be up-streamed, that's a win. Great thing to ask a good LLM about