---
name: "ossmix"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "oss4-base"
version: "4.2-build2010-2"
release: "Debian 8 (Jessie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ossmix"
---

# ossmix(1)

Open Sound System command-line mixer program.

## NAME

**ossmix** - Open Sound System command-line mixer program.

## SYNOPSIS

```
ossmix [-d <dev#>] [-achqD] [control name] [value]
```

## DESCRIPTION

**ossmix is a simple command-line mixer utility that is used to display the mixer** **settings of physical and virtual audio devices. OSS version 4 has an extended** **mixer API which supports some device specific features that may not available** **using other mixer applications.**

## OPTIONS

- **-D**

  **Display device information.**

- **-a**

  **Dump mixer settings for all mixers (normal format).**

- **-c**

  **Dump mixer settings for all mixers (command format).**

- **-h**

  **Display usage information.**

- **-q**

  **Quiet mode.**

- **-v\[1\|2\]**

  **Verbose mode. -v2 prints more detailed infoamation than -v1.**

- **ctrl# *value***

  **Change** *value* **of a mixer** *control***.**

- **\<no arg\>**

  **Display current/possible settings.**

## USAGE

**ossmix without any arguments displays the current settings of the** **default mixer device (usually the motherboard sound chip). This** **printout can also be used to find out the supported** *control* **names and** **their possible values. Currently all controls accept an ON/OFF** *value***, a** **mono** *value* **(0 to 100) or a stereo** *value* **(left:right where both channel** **volumes can be between 0 and 100). The** *value* **can also be expressed in a** **relative form (e.g. +1 to add 1 to the previous volume). An ON/OFF** *control* **can also receive a TOGGLE** *value***. If a** *control* **has a** *name* **in quotes following** **the normal output, than the** *name* **can be used instead of the** *control* **when** **setting a** *value***.**

**The following is a sample printout produced by ossmix:**

```
        Selected mixer 0/Creative AudioPCI
        Known controls are:
        vol <both/leftvol>[:<rightvol>] (currently 50:50)
        pcm <both/leftvol>[:<rightvol>] (currently 50:50)
        speaker <monovol> (currently 21)
        line <both/leftvol>[:<rightvol>] (currently 32:32)
        line.rec ON|OFF (currently OFF)
        mic <monovol> (currently 16)
        mic.rec ON|OFF (currently ON)
        cd <both/leftvol>[:<rightvol>] (currently 100:100)
        cd.rec ON|OFF (currently OFF)
        pcm2 <both/leftvol>[:<rightvol>] (currently 75:75)
        line1 <both/leftvol>[:<rightvol>] (currently 32:32)
        line1.rec ON|OFF (currently OFF)
        line2 <monovol> (currently 32)
        line2.rec ON|OFF (currently OFF)
        line3 <monovol> (currently 0)
        line3.rec ON|OFF (currently OFF)
        mic.micboost ON|OFF (currently ON)
        mic.micbias ON|OFF (currently ON)
        mute.pcmmute ON|OFF (currently OFF)
        mute.pcm2mute ON|OFF (currently OFF)
        mute.micmute ON|OFF (currently OFF)
        mute.cdmute ON|OFF (currently OFF)
        mute.linemute ON|OFF (currently OFF)
        mute.line1mute ON|OFF (currently OFF)
        mute.line2mute ON|OFF (currently OFF)
        mute.line3mute ON|OFF (currently OFF)
```

## SELECTING MIXER DEVICE

**It's possible to select the mixer device by using the -d\<mixernumber\>** **command line argument. This argument (when used) should be the first one** **on the command line. By default the mixer number 0 will be accessed.** **To find the available mixer devices, type ossinfo -x and look** **under the Mixers heading for available mixer devices.**

## CHANGING MIXER SETTINGS

**Changing the values is done just like with the original "mixer" applet.** **For example:**

```
        ossmix pcm 50:60
```

**The above sets the pcm** *control* **(audio playback volume) so that the left** **channel volume is 50 and the right channel volume is 60. With just** **"ossmix pcm 50" the both channel volumes will be set to 50.**

**In addition to the old mixer there are now some (usually ON/OFF) settings.** **These settings are device specific and don't work with all soundcards.** **The easiest way to find them out is to start ossmix without command line** **arguments (other than -d#).**

**Some** *control* **names contain a dot ("."). This dot is required when changing** **the value. For example: "ossmix -d0 mic.micboost ON".**

## EXAMPLES

- **ossmix vol 50**

  **Set the vol** *control* **volume to 50. If the pcm** *control* **is a stereo** *control***,** **than both channels will be set to 50.**

- **ossmix vol 50:60**

  **Set the vol** *control* **so that the left channel volume is 50 and the right** **channel volume is 60.**

- **ossmix vol +2**

  **Raise vol volume by 2.**

- **ossmix -- vol +2:-2**

  **Raise the left channel volume by 2, and lower right channel volume by 2.** **The "--" is needed on some systems so that the "-2" won't be mistaken for** **a parameter.**

- **ossmix micboost ON**

  **Set micboost to ON.**

- **ossmix micboost TOGGLE**

  **Toggle micboost.**

- **ossmix mplayer +2**

  **Raise mplayer volume by 2. This would only work if mplayer is using the** **virtual mixer.**

## FILES

**/usr/bin/ossmix**

## SEE ALSO

**ossdevlinks(1), [ossxmix(1)](/ossxmix/1.md), savemixer(1)**

## AUTHOR

**4Front Technologies**