---
name: "amixer-0.5"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "alsa-utils-0.5"
version: "0.5.10-1"
release: "Debian 3.0 (Woody)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/amixer-0.5"
---

# amixer-0.5(1)

commandline mixer for ALSA soundcard driver

## NAME

amixer - commandline mixer for ALSA soundcard driver

## SYNOPSIS

**amixer** \[*-c* card\] \[*-d* dev\] \[*cmd*\]

## DESCRIPTION

**amixer** allows command-line control of the mixer for the ALSA soundcard driver. **amixer** supports multiple soundcards with multiple devices.

## INVOKING

**amixer** with no arguments will display the current mixer settings for the default soundcard and device. This is a good way to see a list of the groups you can control.

## COMMANDS

- *info*

  Shows the information about a mixer device.

- *groups*

  Shows a complete list of mixer groups.

- *gcontents*

  Shows a complete list of mixer groups with their contents.

- *set*

  Sets the group contents. The parameter can be the volume either as a percentage from 0% to 100% or a exact hardware value. The parameters *capture, nocapture, mute, unmute* are used to toggle capture (recording) and muting for the group specified. The parameters *front, rear, center, woofer* are used to specify channels to be changed. When plus(+) or minus(-) letter is appended after volume value, the volume is incremented or decremented from the current value, respectively.

  A mixer group must be specified. Only one device can be controlled at a time.

- *get*

  Shows the group contents.

  A mixer group must be specified. Only one device can be controlled at a time.

- *elements*

  Shows a complete list of mixer elements.

- *contents*

  Shows a complete list of mixer elements with their contents.

- *eset*

  Sets the mixer element contents. This feature is not documented and is intended for experienced users only.

- *eget*

  Shows the mixer element contents. This feature is not documented and is indended for experienced users only.

### Options

- \[*-c* card\] \[*-d* device\]

  Select the card and device number to control. Cards are numbered from 0 (the default). Devices are numbered from 0 (the default). Note that here, "device" does **not** mean "mixer channel", but refers to the architecture of your soundcard. Many soundcards will only have device 0. Some more complex cards may have more devices. Try using *-d 1* and if anything useful happens, now you know more than I do. :)

- *-h*

  Help: show syntax.

- *-q*

  Quiet mode. Do not show results of changes.

### Example:

**amixer -c 1 set Line 80% unmute capture**

will set the second soundcard's line input volume to 80%, unmute it, and select it as a source for capture (recording).

## BUGS

None known.

## AUTHOR

**amixer** is by Jaroslav Kysela \<perex@suse.cz\>. This document is by Paul Winkler \<zarmzarm@erols.com\> and Jaroslav Kysela \<perex@suse.cz\>.