Audio Problem: lvl0: VolumeControl::init() - Failed to find mixer elements! - No es_settings.cfg file

dsquared · 23 May 2021, 17:35

Hello again:

I have the old lvl0: VolumeControl::init() - Failed to find mixer elements! problem. So apparently, I have to configure emulationstation to switch the audio output from HDMI to Headphone. However, I can't find an es_settings.cfg file to make the change.

Is there a new place to store this info or do I just create a new es_settings.cfg file with the necessary details?

Obligatory Information:

Pi Model or other hardware: 4B+ 8GB
Power Supply: LABISTS Raspberry Pi 4 Power Supply 5.1V 3A
RetroPie Version Used: retropie-buster-4.7.12
Retropie -Setup Script: V4.7.12( used to fix a previous network problem)
USB Devices connected: Logitech F310 Controller, wireless USB keyboard, PS3 Controller, CREATIVE LABS Pebble Modern 2.0 USB Desktop Speakers (with audio jack)
Error messages received: lvl0: VolumeControl::init() - Failed to find mixer elements!
Verbose log: (if relevant): Not Applicable
Guide used: This Post
File: config.txt - see attachment 1
Emulator: Not Applicable
Attachment 1: config.txt: https://pastebin.com/efqjNY4i

Thank you in advance

mitu · 23 May 2021, 19:02

@dsquared said in Audio Problem: lvl0: VolumeControl::init() - Failed to find mixer elements! - No es_settings.cfg file:

Is there a new place to store this info or do I just create a new es_settings.cfg file with the necessary details?

The configuration can be performed from the EmulationStation's menu, under the Audio settings - choose the 'Audio Device' to one of the desired values (HDMI, Headphone, etc.).

DarkPaladin · 21 Jul 2021, 19:21

@mitu Unfortunately this did not work for me. When I switched 'Audio Device' to Headphone, ES will attempt to launch, generate the "Failed to find mixer elements", and drop back to ES menu.

Before I changed 'Audio Device', there was no audio at all in ES nor in games (even after starting from a fresh install). But I can at least start the games. As soon as I tried to change the 'Audio Device' to anything, I start getting these errors, and no games will launch anymore. Even if I change 'Audio Device' back to HDMI, I still get the same error.

Pi Model or other hardware: 4B+ 8GB
Power Supply: Canakit Raspberry Pi 4 Power Supply 5.1V 3A
RetroPie Version Used: retropie-buster-4.7.1-rpi4_400
Error messages received: lvl0: VolumeControl::init() - Failed to find mixer elements!
Audio output: normal computer speakers (3.5mm)

ES Logs:

Jul 21 20:23:30 lvl2: 	 req sound [basic.launch]
Jul 21 20:23:30 lvl2: 	   (missing)
Jul 21 20:23:31 lvl2: 	Attempting to launch game...
Jul 21 20:23:32 lvl2: 		/opt/retropie/supplementary/runcommand/runcommand.sh 0 _SYS_ fba /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/fba/avsp.zip
Jul 21 20:23:37 lvl2: 	Creating window...
Jul 21 20:23:37 lvl2: 	Created window successfully.
Jul 21 20:23:37 lvl2: 	GL vendor:   Broadcom
Jul 21 20:23:37 lvl2: 	GL renderer: V3D 4.2
Jul 21 20:23:37 lvl2: 	GL version:  2.1 Mesa 19.3.2
Jul 21 20:23:37 lvl2: 	Checking available OpenGL extensions...
Jul 21 20:23:37 lvl2: 	 ARB_texture_non_power_of_two: ok
Jul 21 20:23:38 lvl2: 	Added known joystick xin-mo.com Xinmotek Controller (instance ID: 12, device index: 0)
Jul 21 20:23:38 lvl2: 	Added known joystick xin-mo.com Xinmotek Controller (instance ID: 13, device index: 1)
Jul 21 20:23:38 lvl2: 	Added known joystick xin-mo.com Xinmotek Controller (instance ID: 12, device index: 0)
Jul 21 20:23:38 lvl2: 	Added known joystick xin-mo.com Xinmotek Controller (instance ID: 13, device index: 1)
Jul 21 20:24:02 lvl0: 	VolumeControl::init() - Failed to find mixer elements!

mitu · 21 Jul 2021, 19:38

@darkpaladin said in Audio Problem: lvl0: VolumeControl::init() - Failed to find mixer elements! - No es_settings.cfg file:

Before I changed 'Audio Device', there was no audio at all in ES nor in games (even after starting from a fresh install). But I can at least start the games. As soon as I tried to change the 'Audio Device' to anything, I start getting these errors, and no games will launch anymore. Even if I change 'Audio Device' back to HDMI, I still get the same error.

That makes no sense, since the Audio settings in EmulationStation apply to EmulationStation only and have no effect on emulators or launching games.
Use default as Audio Card and Headphones as Audio Device to get sound from the analog jack on the Pi.

DarkPaladin · 21 Jul 2021, 19:43

@mitu Made no sense to me either.

Now audio level defaults to 0 no matter what I do. I even plugged something else into the speakers to make sure the speakers did not die on me (they work fine).

Currently ES is set to "Default/Headphones". Still get "Failed to find mixer elements" and no games will launch. And audio level will revert back to zero as soon as I exit the Sound Settings menu.

mitu · 21 Jul 2021, 19:45

@darkpaladin Can you post the output of the following commands:

aplay -L
amixer

DarkPaladin · 21 Jul 2021, 20:01

@mitu

aplay -L

null
    Discard all samples (playback) or generate zero samples (capture)
default:CARD=b1
    bcm2835 HDMI 1, bcm2835 HDMI 1
    Default Audio Device
sysdefault:CARD=b1
    bcm2835 HDMI 1, bcm2835 HDMI 1
    Default Audio Device
dmix:CARD=b1,DEV=0
    bcm2835 HDMI 1, bcm2835 HDMI 1
    Direct sample mixing device
dsnoop:CARD=b1,DEV=0
    bcm2835 HDMI 1, bcm2835 HDMI 1
    Direct sample snooping device
hw:CARD=b1,DEV=0
    bcm2835 HDMI 1, bcm2835 HDMI 1
    Direct hardware device without any conversions
plughw:CARD=b1,DEV=0
    bcm2835 HDMI 1, bcm2835 HDMI 1
    Hardware device with all software conversions
default:CARD=b2
    bcm2835 HDMI 2, bcm2835 HDMI 2
    Default Audio Device
sysdefault:CARD=b2
    bcm2835 HDMI 2, bcm2835 HDMI 2
    Default Audio Device
dmix:CARD=b2,DEV=0
    bcm2835 HDMI 2, bcm2835 HDMI 2
    Direct sample mixing device
dsnoop:CARD=b2,DEV=0
    bcm2835 HDMI 2, bcm2835 HDMI 2
    Direct sample snooping device
hw:CARD=b2,DEV=0
    bcm2835 HDMI 2, bcm2835 HDMI 2
    Direct hardware device without any conversions
plughw:CARD=b2,DEV=0
    bcm2835 HDMI 2, bcm2835 HDMI 2
    Hardware device with all software conversions
default:CARD=Headphones
    bcm2835 Headphones, bcm2835 Headphones
    Default Audio Device
sysdefault:CARD=Headphones
    bcm2835 Headphones, bcm2835 Headphones
    Default Audio Device
dmix:CARD=Headphones,DEV=0
    bcm2835 Headphones, bcm2835 Headphones
    Direct sample mixing device
dsnoop:CARD=Headphones,DEV=0
    bcm2835 Headphones, bcm2835 Headphones
    Direct sample snooping device
hw:CARD=Headphones,DEV=0
    bcm2835 Headphones, bcm2835 Headphones
    Direct hardware device without any conversions
plughw:CARD=Headphones,DEV=0
    bcm2835 Headphones, bcm2835 Headphones
    Hardware device with all software conversions
pi@CCCCC-ARCADE:~ $

amixer

Simple mixer control 'HDMI',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Limits: Playback -10239 - 400
  Mono: Playback -4920 [50%] [-49.20dB] [on]

mitu · 22 Jul 2021, 02:57

@darkpaladin Use the Audio menu in the RetroPie system and switch the audio to 'Headphones', then see if you get the same issue in EmulationStation.

DarkPaladin · 26 Jul 2021, 02:00

@mitu Yep, that was it. If I leave the ES audio settings at "Default / HDMI", when I change the Audio in RetroArch to "Headphone", then I can get audio from the 3.5mm port.

Very counter-intuitive, but at least it is working now. Thanks for the assist!