Docker container's audio to OS

1st Official Post

    I have a docker container running with PulseAudio inside. Where should I create a docker volume to from LibreELEC, so PulseAudio can detect the correct device from the container, or so I can manually set it as a sink (output)?

    And is it possible to have LibreELEC use the device alongside the docker container, or will I need to use separate outputs?


    Appreciate any directions.

    Solved most of the questions here apart from one: multiple audio streams. The solution is dmix, but the file I need is read only: /usr/share/alsa/alsa.conf

    This may be the wrong file, as the official ALSA wiki says it's /etc/asound.conf, but that doesn't exist in LibreELEC.

    Please could someone at LibreELEC point me to the correct file to write to, if possible? :)

    • Official Post

    I'm not sure if /storage/.config/asound.conf still works as an override, but it used to (admittedly a long time ago, so no guarantees it still does).

    I tested and /storage/.config/asound.conf still works for me, also "/run" was the correct place for PulseAudio. Great!

    Now I think I've setup a dmix device and it's ALSA's default, but how can I make Kodi use it? Since it's not in "settings > system > audio > audio output device", would I need some startup arguments for Kodi? The output I used for dmix doesn't appear in Kodi anymore, presumably because it's being used on boot.

    I know with PulseAudio, all you need to do is make a sink and Kodi should pickup the device.

    Quick question: does LibreELEC output audio via Pulse or ALSA? It says ALSA next to the output options in Kodi, but I think Pulse always uses ALSA to detect devices.

    If Kodi does so on its own, when Kodi says "ALSA" next to the output device, it's also playing directly via ALSA?

    Unless I can make the output go through PulseAudio or I can get Kodi to register devices in asound.conf, I may be screwed.

    First, I need to know if the audio is just going through ALSA directly, because in this article:

    Pulseaudio [LibreELEC.wiki]

    It shows Pulse can play / receive audio, though I'm not sure whether it means simultaneously with Kodi.

    There may be a solution. To my understanding, Kodi uses Pulse whenever it's installed (and running). Unless the Kodi startup args in LibreELEC force ALSA: https://kodi.wiki/view/pulseaudio#forcing_alsa

    All I need to do is get Pulse to autostart before Kodi.

    Anyone at LibreELEC know if "/storage/.config/autostart.sh" will execute always before Kodi, and whether Kodi is forced to use ALSA on start? Many thanks.

    Finally got it working 100%! Now I just need to set some Pulse settings on OS start. :)

    For this, the file is "/etc/pulse/default.pa", any writable override for this?

    That file doesn't allow loading modules, so I just used "pactl load-module" in autostart.sh.

    For anyone who finds this thread looking for info, also consider the following:

    • Use the Pulse module "module-udev-detect".

    • Container probably needs to run as root and so do the users in it (for access to Pulse).

    • Won't play audio alongside Kodi if ALSA is used, and UI sounds may need to be turned off for playing while on UI.