mactel-support team mailing list archive

[David Murrell <david@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"options snd_hda_intel model=mbp3"

This is posted to the end alsa bug report, but I figure since I wrote
it, then I should be able to post it where ever I like :)

On my Macbook 4,1, running a stock Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-11-generic, alsa version 1.0.17
The magic options bit that makes bass work on mine is a kernel option when inserting the snd_hda_intel module:

model=asus-a7m

The PCM level seems to control some(all, maybe) of the bass woofer. I'm
not sure if all of the woofer is entirely all there though. Might be,
would need to get two macbooks next to each other with the same piece of
music to see. My hunch is that it isn't. Its more bassy than than the
auto detected config, however.

To make this change permanent, do this
sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/options
Add the line:
"options snd_hda_intel model=asus-a7m"
Save, Quit
Reboot

Sound should work.

I'm not promising that it's perfect, either. I have no idea about
recording, or iec playback, or even if plugging in a headset turns off
the speakers, or causes global thermonuclear war, only that it increases
the bass somewhat.

-- 
Subwoofer not working in Intel Macbooks
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/305750
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Mactel
Support, which is the registrant for Mactel Support.

Status in ALSA driver: Unknown
Status in Mactel Support: Confirmed
Status in “alsa-driver” source package in Ubuntu: New

Bug description:
Upon installation of Ubuntu 8.10, sound can be enabled by adding
"options snd_hda_intel model=mbp3" 
to /etc/modprobe.d/options
(This is needed due to a detection issue, but that is another bug)
After rebooting, the sound does work, but there is no sound from the Macbook's built-in subwoofer which makes the sound very poor sounding in comparison to how it sounds in OSX. This difference puts Ubuntu in a bad light. Users often complain about "tinny" or "poor quality" sound.

This is specifically occurring on Macbook4,1 models (and likely Macbook3,1 as well)

Reference:
https://bugtrack.alsa-project.org/alsa-bug/view.php?id=4086
http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/message.php?msg_name=4935B32D.3060501%40forestfactory.de