I've been trying to set up Skype on Ubuntu 8.04 for several weeks.
Unfortunately, my Sound Blaster Audigy SE (SB0570) worked fine on XP but
does not appear to have a fully functional driver (will not permit
recording) under LINUX. I also have an on-board nVidia MCP61 High
Definition Audio System that suffers from the same problem. Although
both cards allow me to play-back music CD's via. Rythmbox in Ubuntu
without any problem, using a microphone as an input device is not
supported for the SB Audigy!!!

My only solution is to find and acquire, a fully supported sound card
under Linux. Could a current Ubuntu/Skype (or Ekiga) user please let me know which sound card is actually working for them under Linux???

Thanks for your consideration.

I don't use Skype, but recording with a microphone works fine for my Nvidia MCP61 onboard audio. What mic device do you have Skype configured to use?

Thanks for your response. My MCP61 is onboard my Asus M2N MX Mother Board. When I originally tried to set Sound up under Ubuntu 8.04 it failed under "Sound Capture" function. I tried all inputs including Mic. and Line... but no luck. That's what led me to an add-on card... Soundblaster Audisy SE. Same results (non-functional sound capture) when trying to set up Sound under 8.04. My bad. Who would have guessed that one of the oldest and most well known sound cards wouldn't work underLinux using ALSA or Pulse Audio.

My Soundblaster research indicates that the ALSA driver is incomplete and will not permit audio input as presently constituted. That's why I was looking for a Gentle Soul who would speak up and say that "such and such a card works fine for me!"

According to the ALSA project web site, emu 10k2 based Creative cards like the Audigy SE aren't fully feature enabled yet with the ALSA drivers.

However, emu10k1 based Creative cards do have full functionality with ALSA.

See if you can find an older SB Live! (model CT4670/4780) card, like the Value. Should be about $40 to $50 USD online in most places. If you search really hard, you might be able to find it for less.

For example, UpgradeNation has the OEM version of the CT4670 in stock (as of this writing), with Creative driver/app CD for $37 USD.

http://upgradenation.stores.yahoo.net/sounblaslivv.html

TNX WonderSlug. That's the first tangible suggestion concerning a new card that I have received. If I don't get any more responses over the next two days I will probably follow your suggestion.

I appreciate your taking the time to respond.

My onboard worked fine out of the box with Ubuntu 8.04 - as did an EMU10K1 based card (very old Live! - but be careful, because they can kill some modern motherboards), and an Envy24HT based card. I don't know if the Chaintech AV710 is still available, but it's very cheap and well supported.

There is no joy in Mudville tonight! I ordered and received a Soundblaster Live card and it is not recognized as an emu10k1 by the system. It's actually an OEM model and shows up as an Ectiva EVI1938. The ALSA matrix indicates that the "Live" should work as an emu10k1... but I have been pulling hair for th last few hours and I can't even get it to play back audio at this point.

What is there about Linux that makes beating your head against the wall feel so good that you want to come back for more???
Tnx anyway.

That's a weird one. Ectiva EV1938?

This EV1938 looks similar to a Creative Vibra PCI128 and *IS NOT* a SB Live card.

Are you sure that the card you received is actually a SB Live! card? Even with OEM Live! cards, there are 4 identifying features that indicate it is a SB Live!. I checked several SB Live cards I have lying around (took them out of old PCs a few years ago) and they all have pretty much the same features. Look at your sound card and check for the following:

1.) In the corner most opposite the external 3.5mm jacks and PCI slot, there should be a model number written. Something like CT4760 or CT4830. Those are the two model numbers of the SB Live.

2.) An easily identifiable "Soundblaster Live!" logo near the model number.

3.) Near the PCI slot connector of the card there should be a phrase on the order of "© Copyright Creative Technology LTD 1999"

4.) On the main IC chip, near the center of the card, there should be an identifier that states "Creative" with "EMU10K1" underneath that.


EDIT:

The Vibra 128s are typically model number CT4810 or CT5803 and don't use an EMU10K1 but rather something along the lines of an Ensoniq chip.


EDIT 2:

Check the following Wikipedia entry on the SB Live! and see if your card matches either of the two SB Live! (CT4760) or SB Live! Value OEM (CT4830) pictured.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_Blaster_Live!

Most interesting:
1. The model no. is CT4730.
2. It says Creative Labs Model No. CT470, but does not say Sound Blaster.
3. The Copywrite symbol is followed by Creative Technology LTD 2001.
4. The main chip says "Creative
EV 1938
NY1822
12LS 0046"
Close, but no cigar!

Then it's not an SB Live card. The CT4730 is yet another model of Creative Vibra 128.

The only model numbers of SB Live with EMU10K1 are CT4760 and CT4830.

I appreciate your thoroughness. I've been trying for over 3 hours to get the card to work... obviousley to no avail.

I haven't given up on this project and will attempt to find a legitimate "Sound Blaster Live" and let you know when I do. I have also searched for the Chaintech AV710 but haven't been able to find one, at least not yet.

The Quest continues!

Ive got to tell you WonderSlug that it is inconceivable to me , based on the popularity of Skype, Ekiga, etc., there has not been anyone who responded with, "I'm using an xyz card and it is currently working fine under Ubuntu 8.04." I'm not looking for any guarantees, just some honest First Hand feedback from people who are currently running Skype, and what it takes to do so. The funny thing is that I have been away from Windows for almost 5 years, except for a quick try at Skype running under XP. It worked like a charm right off the bat. There's a moral there somewhere!

OK Wonderslug! I got my ( authentic ) Sound Blaster Live in the mail today, plugged it into the PCI slot and it worked like a charm under Ubuntu 8.04.1. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your ( as well as others ) input in helping to solve this problem. The emu10k1 chip is a winner.

TNX

Ok, I finally installed skype. My onboard sound card is reported (by lspci) as "nVidia Corporation MCP51 High Definition Audio (rev a2)" and works without trouble with skype on Ubuntu 8.04.