Related
Hello,
I have really no idea if this is possible, how hard this could be to do and what it can require but :
1 - Would it be possible when I plug my phone on my car radio with USB to control the music with my phone instead of the radio itself ?
2 - Would it be possible to deport the sounds (calls, applications etc) on the car speakers ?
Let me know if I'm not very clear
PS : please don't answer something like "use a jack-jack cable"
Thanks !
From what I get, you want to "stream" audio through the USB port. I don't know why would you want that and the jack-jack cable is not good (maybe you have a USB port on you car stereo but no line in) but as far as I know it would take A lot of modifications (stereo and phone) to make it work.
So, theoretically it is possible, practically I don't think someone will ever make it possible.
Im pretty sure it would be impossible to control the car radio with the phone via usb. There might be some kind of solution using IR, but I don't know how that'd interface with the Droid. Most aftermarket decks allow for a wired remote on the back (looks like a headphone Jack). I've used it with a steering wheel interface adapter and it worked well, so there is a possibility that a custom usb cable could be made, but would also require a custom app written for the Droid to output the signals through the usb.
On streaming radio via usb, I don't think that's possible either, bc the uusb on the deck is looking for files to read on a mounted drive.
If you happen to have an incredible, you can get the tv-out cable and make a shorting pin on the video output. This makes the phone think it's connected to a TV, and will then stream Pandora, music, Google navigation, etc through the usb. If you do this with your aftermarket radio, you'll need an aux input and an rca to 3.5mm cable unless you already have RCA.
Hope this helps!
Thank you for answers! I was asking that because I remember when I had an iPhone, I was able to play, pause, forward the music from my iPhone. I will try to use the aux-in (I have a little Pioneer DEH-3200UB).
Thank again !
That's because both the head unit and the iPhone know a common language and communicate.
Sadly, I don't think there's anything like that outside Apple.
It is called Ipod ready. That could be emulated in Android, would be another bite out of the apple,s ass.
Hi fellas,
I fly FPV and I wanted to use my Infuse to record the AV footage by splitting the video cable which goes to my monitor to my hdmi chord/dongle for the infuse.
The AV equipment has low resolution 640x480 if I'm lucky.
Would this idea work? There is no audio as my transmitter does not have a mic but If I could use a screen capture software on my phone to record my flights that would be fantastic. Is this possible? To use the HDMI dongle as an AV in to stream live video on my phone (assuming there is an app) basically using my phone as a DVR.
Thanks for any helpful response.
no but it would be cool to use a transmitter as reciever.... I mean if a PC needs a dedicated video capture device rather than the monitor-out going both ways then why would a cell phone be likely to work like that? if USB hosting gets figured out in the kernel and a USB video capture device was used the sure but the mhl is a 1 way device as far as anyone knows.
you may as well get a laptop and usb video capture card then copy the file to the phone.
Guess the laptop is as good as any it's a shame though
The transmitter that I was talking about is the transmitter on the aircraft transmitting the image which is being viewed on a monitor
I destroyed my gopro in a crash so I was looking for alternate solutions without having to buy anything as I am dirt poor
thanks a lot for your input
Hi guys I was wondering if it was possible to get the transformer to output music through the USB ports. I have a set of portable Creative speakers which have great sound and would love to use them with the transformer. They are powered and receive audio from USB
It is very possible, but you'd ave to add the device modules (drivers for the device) to the kernel yourself because it isn't native. I've been trying to get USB headphones working for a while.. :/
Thing O Doom said:
It is very possible, but you'd ave to add the device modules (drivers for the device) to the kernel yourself because it isn't native. I've been trying to get USB headphones working for a while.. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got work usb audio on tf101 with CM10. Just kernel modules for usb audio are not enough to get sound from apps to be routed through the DAC. It's also needed to patch vertana audio driver.
I know it's been a long time but I just got around to rooting my TF101 and actually enjoying it. Has anyone done anything similar with speakers or headphones
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda app-developers app
Lollipop - Any Improvements?
Has anyone been able to get USB Audio working in a Lollipop ROM given the improvements to USB host?
So far, no luck for me:
KatKiss Lollipop 5.1 #21 ROM
JBL Pebbles USB Speakers connected to the dock
My tablet recognizes there is a USB audio device as the audio stops after connecting.
Also, disabling auto routing of audio to USB audio devices does what it supposed to do - so detection works.
Connecting the headphones out to the aux in of the USB speaker didn't work. Tablet speakers shut off but no sound in the USB speakers.
I could get it to work is powering the speakers from an AC charger and using the tablet headphone out to it.
Also, USB Audio Tester app works in that it can detect the USB device and it was able to play audio out of it (tested via connecting int mic to ext speaker mode and raising the volume bars).
To my understanding from the developer's description, that app uses non-standard interface to output USB audio.
The speakers work fine on Windows and Chrome OS without drivers so I was hoping it was plug and play.
Update:
I did note that I had to raise the in-app playback control volume bars first though to work in USB Audio Tester app.
Also, when connected to a computer and using the Aux In of the speakers, my phones and tablet can play audio.
Based on power draw of a USB charger I connected, the speakers use 0.6W idle and about 1W max.
Therefore, I'm thinking maybe it fails the USB enumeration in Android and the default 100mA is not enough.
Anyone know how to check the USB host enumeration settings?
phioschaos said:
Has anyone been able to get USB Audio working in a Lollipop ROM given the improvements to USB host?
So far, no luck for me:
KatKiss Lollipop 5.1 #21 ROM
JBL Pebbles USB Speakers...
...Also, USB Audio Tester app works in that it can detect the USB device and it was able to play audio out of it (tested via connecting int mic to ext speaker mode and raising the volume bars).
To my understanding from the developer's description, that app uses non-standard interface to output USB audio...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since we are talking about USB HOST, maybe it's important to use USB OTG cable, I reckon, as not all USB cables are equal. This has just recently struck me, because I used USB cable that came with my soundcard the other day. Its of great quality, sure, but I'm almost positive it's not OTG. My audiocard is externally powered, so on the other hand it might be just unimportant in my case...
USB Speakers of all sorts have generic DACs in them that require no special drivers and have to work out of the box on any system as long as USB connection and standard USB functionality are intact. Success stories of USB Audio working under Lollipop are rather abundant.
If USB Audio Tester works for you then USB Audio Player PRO should too, those are made by the same guys AFAICT. UAPP is no free app though, costs a sum, and sadly its proprietary driver(yeah, those devs apps use "non-standard interface") only works inside the program, one cannot watch Youtube or MX Player by using that... Compatibility list is on the devs site. My card, E-MU 0404 USB is listed as compatible for only RECORDING, not playback. Heck, I'm absolutely certain, I saw someone on some forum claiming they got same card totally working under UAPP and that wasn't even on Lollipop! Anyway, my trial and error continues...
I don't have a USB OTG cable for the TF101.
Instead, I'm using the keyboard dock that provides two USB ports.
It should be the same thing.
It is very good to hear that USB audio is working for a lot of people on Lollipop.
I've tried testing my speakers on more Android devices - my Nexus 5 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S.
Like the TF101, the speakers are detected as the OS switches over (no more audio out of built in speakers) but no sound out of the speakers themselves.
I'm leaning towards these speakers are not compatible with Android yet.
Sigh - non-standard standards.
I know that a lot of people here likes good sound quality and want to use USB DAC on their head unit.
So I started this thread so maybe someone can come up with a solution to get rid of our USB Audio problems. :good:
First of all, I have 3 different USB audio interfaces I tried on my MTCD PX5 head unit. I use these for SPDIF Coaxial output, so I can send a clean digital signal to my DSP (MiniDSP 6X8) spdif input.
My USB audio devices:
PCM2704 (Worst sound quality of the 3, but still good)
CM6631A (Nice sound quality)
SMSL x-usb (XMOS chip) (Excellent, best sound quality of my adapters)
Here is my findings for each model so far:
PCM2704 - With native Android USB Audio driver (MTCD Music player, Spotify, Google Music, etc) : Plays without any pops&clicks noises 44khz, 48Khz, 96Khz files (Thats good).. BUT only in MONO, so no stereo ! (That sucks.)
PCM2704 - With custom USB Audio driver (Usb Audio Player Pro, Neutron, Hibby, Onkyo apps) : Plays perfectly 44khz audio files but CANNOT play 48khz or 96khz audio files, there is no sound. at all :crying:
CM6631A - With native Android USB Audio driver (MTCD Music player, Spotify, Google Music, etc) : Lots of pops&clicks noises, cannot listen to this.. BUT output in stereo, plays 44khz/48khz/96khz files.
CM6631A - With custom USB Audio driver (Usb Audio Player Pro, Neutron, Hibby, Onkyo apps) : Lots of pops&clicks noises, cannot listen to this.. Output in stereo, plays 44khz/48khz/96khz.
SMSL X-USB Xmos - With native Android USB Audio driver (MTCD Music player, Spotify, Google Music, etc) : Lots of pops&clicks noises, cannot listen to this.. BUT output in stereo, plays 44khz/48khz/96khz files.
SMSL X-USB Xmos - With custom USB Audio driver (Usb Audio Player Pro, Neutron, Hibby, Onkyo apps) : Lots of pops&clicks noises, cannot listen to this.. Output in stereo, plays 44khz/48khz/96khz.
Good to know:
PCM2704 is USB 1.1 full speed device, isosynchronous.
CM6631A is USB 2.0 fullspeed/high speed device, asynchronous.
SMSL X-usb Xmos is USB 2.0 fullspeed/high speed device, asynchronous.
Also good to know: Android Marshmallow 6 Mono output USB Audio problem is a well known problem across multiple Android devices (Cellphones, tablets, etc.) So lets assume the mono output on the PCM2704 is "normal". What is not normal with the PCM2704 is that it can only play 44khz audio, no 48khz.
First question that comes to my mind: Does the PX5 USB drivers/kernel has a problem with USB2.0 ?
Another question: Does our PX5 firmware mess with the sample frequency (44khz, 48khz, etc) ?
Thanks for any useful comment !
I can't believe I'm the only one here using a USB DAC on a PX5..?
I also interested
Sent from my MI MAX 2 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 01:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:15 PM ----------
How to get the px5 use usb as digital out? I tried cyrus soundkey but no sound
Sent from my MI MAX 2 using Tapatalk
excellent thread, I was just trying to search on this very thing. My guess that using this as audio output it does not pass the radio or AVIN through it does it? since the MCU is separate from android
I have heard (but not tested first hand) that these will play stereo on 6.0.1
HiFimeDIY Sabre 2016
SA9227 + PCM5102A ( on eBay, http://www.ebay.com/itm/182289773453?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT)
M2Tech HiFace DAC
FiiO Q1
-=Jeff=- said:
excellent thread, I was just trying to search on this very thing. My guess that using this as audio output it does not pass the radio or AVIN through it does it? since the MCU is separate from android
I have heard (but not tested first hand) that these will play stereo on 6.0.1
HiFimeDIY Sabre 2016
SA9227 + PCM5102A ( on eBay, http://www.ebay.com/itm/182289773453?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT)
M2Tech HiFace DAC
FiiO Q1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I test my 3 USB audio devices with USB Audio Player Pro, they all work great on my Android 6 Lenovo Tablet, Nexus 6P cellphone (Android 7/ Android 8 Beta), and worked perfectly on my previous PX3 (RK3188) (Android 5.1) Head unit.
So I dont think it's a compatbility problem with the Android version, it's more of a software/kernel issue, the way the audio is handled with the PX5.
I tried changing some settings in audio_policy.cfg but I did not manage to stop the pops/clicks from happening.
Hi,
I am also very interested in using USB Audio on a PX5.
I have an EONON GA7150A 32GB BMW unit.
MCU is "MTCD_WWW_V2.54b_2", Build is "px5-userdebug 6.0.1 MXC89l user.hct.20170617.171922 test-keys"
I run a car audio / performance / engineering company. We're doing a SQ install on a 04 BMW M3 with all Audison Prima gear going to an Audison Bit 8.9 amp/processor.
I got a Behringer UCA-222 hoping to use it - plugging it into my tablet (Samsung Tab S 8.4") - it works perfectly without any configuration, so I had hoped it'd work with the Android HU as well.
Plugging it into the Android HU - it DOES work - I can play audio from any apps (YouTube, Google Voice Search both output to the USB device) - I have installed SoundAbout Pro to try and re-route all audio to the USB DAC but it doesn't work for everything.
My issues are:
- The FM radio plays through the internal pre-amp/amplifier.
- The volume control (whether through the touchscreen on the menu, or using the hardware knob) does not affect the USB device - there is no way to change it's volume from the head unit this far.
I'm ready/willing to flash/hack this unit as best I can, can't brick it as it belongs to a client (fingers crossed) but I definitely want to use the USB DAC full-time.
If I could find a way to loop the RCA inputs to the optical output on the UCA222 (maybe a custom app) that would be enough to route the radio output through the optical but that's definitely not ideal.
There has to be other people wanting/needing to do this! These units DACs leave a lot to be desired (I'm being nice) and there's a huge selection of great USB DACs.. Heck, in my configuration I won't even be using the DAC in the Behringer - it'll be all digital until it hits the Audison processor/amp with it's internal DAC feeding it's internal amp and a pre-amp that outputs to the separate sub-woofer amplifier (AP1D).
I have the deck setup on my desk right now hooked to a power supply and booted, on WiFi and ready for hacking. What can we do?
From what I've read the MCU controls all the hardware buttons - though I'm not sure it'll be required to mess with it..?
How does Android see the internal audio chip? I know the MCU communicates with it over SDIO, does android as well? I guess no as I read another thread that has a hack/app allowing more control over the audio chip by interfacing one the SoCs GPIO/SDIOs to the chip.
So, how does the radio app work then? Does it just send a signal telling the radio chip to route its audio to the audio chip? Or does Android actually see some sort of audio device for the radio? If it just tells the audio chip which "source" to use and the radio chip outputs directly to it, I'm not sure there's going to be a way to get radio over digital without a converter box to convert that analog output to digital..
All other Android outputs shouldn't be a problem, from what I can tell everything else is already playing over USB for me.. except the radio and volume control.. even the "beeps" you hear when adjusting the volume come over the internal audio device not USB..but Google Voice Search and YouTube work over USB fine..
---------- Post added at 03:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:04 AM ----------
I find it odd that your seeing pops/clicks.. I have had no issues and fully stable audio from the apps it does work from.
forbiddenera said:
Hi,
I am also very interested in using USB Audio on a PX5.
I have an EONON GA7150A 32GB BMW unit.
MCU is "MTCD_WWW_V2.54b_2", Build is "px5-userdebug 6.0.1 MXC89l user.hct.20170617.171922 test-keys"
I run a car audio / performance / engineering company. We're doing a SQ install on a 04 BMW M3 with all Audison Prima gear going to an Audison Bit 8.9 amp/processor.
I got a Behringer UCA-222 hoping to use it - plugging it into my tablet (Samsung Tab S 8.4") - it works perfectly without any configuration, so I had hoped it'd work with the Android HU as well.
Plugging it into the Android HU - it DOES work - I can play audio from any apps (YouTube, Google Voice Search both output to the USB device) - I have installed SoundAbout Pro to try and re-route all audio to the USB DAC but it doesn't work for everything.
My issues are:
- The FM radio plays through the internal pre-amp/amplifier.
- The volume control (whether through the touchscreen on the menu, or using the hardware knob) does not affect the USB device - there is no way to change it's volume from the head unit this far.
I'm ready/willing to flash/hack this unit as best I can, can't brick it as it belongs to a client (fingers crossed) but I definitely want to use the USB DAC full-time.
If I could find a way to loop the RCA inputs to the optical output on the UCA222 (maybe a custom app) that would be enough to route the radio output through the optical but that's definitely not ideal.
There has to be other people wanting/needing to do this! These units DACs leave a lot to be desired (I'm being nice) and there's a huge selection of great USB DACs.. Heck, in my configuration I won't even be using the DAC in the Behringer - it'll be all digital until it hits the Audison processor/amp with it's internal DAC feeding it's internal amp and a pre-amp that outputs to the separate sub-woofer amplifier (AP1D).
I have the deck setup on my desk right now hooked to a power supply and booted, on WiFi and ready for hacking. What can we do?
From what I've read the MCU controls all the hardware buttons - though I'm not sure it'll be required to mess with it..?
How does Android see the internal audio chip? I know the MCU communicates with it over SDIO, does android as well? I guess no as I read another thread that has a hack/app allowing more control over the audio chip by interfacing one the SoCs GPIO/SDIOs to the chip.
So, how does the radio app work then? Does it just send a signal telling the radio chip to route its audio to the audio chip? Or does Android actually see some sort of audio device for the radio? If it just tells the audio chip which "source" to use and the radio chip outputs directly to it, I'm not sure there's going to be a way to get radio over digital without a converter box to convert that analog output to digital..
All other Android outputs shouldn't be a problem, from what I can tell everything else is already playing over USB for me.. except the radio and volume control.. even the "beeps" you hear when adjusting the volume come over the internal audio device not USB..but Google Voice Search and YouTube work over USB fine..
---------- Post added at 03:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:04 AM ----------
I find it odd that your seeing pops/clicks.. I have had no issues and fully stable audio from the apps it does work from.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's cool. I suppose you're member of Strictly Sound Quality group on Facebook ?
I'm really into SQ as well, Pioneer Premier / Hivi amps, MiniDSP C-DSP 6X8, Wavecor/Peerless 3 way active.
Anyways, back on topic: You say your Behringer UCA-222 outputs music without problem with regular players, but does it play in stereo ? Because my PCM2704 also plays audio nice without any click/pops noises but it output both channel mono, so no stereo effect, every sounds plays on both Left and Right. Sounds pretty dull for a SQ setup, it stages like poop lol. I only get stereo out of my PCM2704 if I play it through USB Audio Player Pro app, because that app uses his own USB audio driver.
For you FM Radio routing problem, is there I way to sum input channels on your DSP ? IE: With my MiniDSP I can play both SPDIF and RCA Inputs at the same time on specified output channels.
Thanks for your participation btw. :good:
Thought about getting a minidsp but the beringer was available locally and as I'm actually not using the DAC within it, I didn't care.
The 222 does have a monitor switch which sums all inputs to the 1/8 headphone jack but not over optical.
I could potentially write a small background app to sum the rca input on it to the output constantly but still have the volume control problem.
Video of interface.. I'll make a demo on how the USB audio actually works shortly, I'll install a frequency generator app so I can test stereo for you.
Happy New Year guys!
1. All Rockchips headunits (rk3066/3188/3288/px3/px5) have a big problem with their DWC-OTG USB 2.0 controller kernel driver from Designware/Synopsys.
This driver generates a huge amount of interrupts on usb bus (about 15000 per second under load and 8000 minimum without any use of usb devices). So any wide streaming devices like USB-DACs, USB-CAM, EasyCAP and others cannot properly function. USB-DACs on samplerates higher 44100 or 48000 Hz and bit depth higher 16 bit generate many pop and clicks in sound or just noise. All usb streams are very slow, even copying files from usb flesh to sd card.
This problem is well known and it has the resolution - kernel driver needs to be patched.
Here are some links:
http://hwswbits.blogspot.ru/2013/09/dwc-usb-interrupt-spam-in-rockchip-socs.html?m=1
https://www.google.ru/amp/s/ideechaniz.wordpress.com/2014/02/26/dwc-otg-drivers/amp/
We have not kernel sources to patch it. Any open sources will not go because of many special functions of our HUs have been compiled into kernel. I wrote about this to SHEN ZHEN KLYDE ELECTRONICS CO twice, but no reaction (I have their HU).
So you cannot play sound higher then 16 bit 44100Hz or 48000Hz. If you try 24 bit and/or 96kHz you can hear clicks and pops or just a noise. The first step to make the situation better is to get usb-dac/converter with only FULL-speed (12Mb/s) usb-reciever chip, like sa9023, te7022, pcm2704(6) (mono!) etc. Unplug all usb devices except usb-dac from usb. Note that wifi and processor's loads affect too. Edit /etc/audio_policy.conf to limit sr and bd to 44100 and 16 for usb_device section. If you want to use your high speed usb-dac you can try to find and use a full speed usb hub on ali or ebay.
2. All android HUs for now have mcu and android boards inside. All apps like youtube, navigation, poweramp etc are sounding from android board and all of them can be routed to play through usb-dac using usb audio function of android. But dvd, bt hands-free, radio are located on and managed by mcu board. So sound from them does not going to/through android board. The only one way to get their sound on your car audio processor is connection of rca-outs and set processor to auto switch between analog and digital inputs by signal determination (helix dsp and many others can do that).
3. The volume. The best way for SQ is to use the dsp's volume adjustment. Note for digital volume adjustment every -6bB from max level excludes 1 bit from effective bit depth. So you loose your sound quality (dynamic range) by digital volume adjusting on HU because you can only have 16bit output (see 1). But if you WANT to do it there is one difficult way - write your own app service to catch mcu's broadcast commands for volume adjusting and then send alsamixer's comnands to change usb dac volume same level (need to install alsa). I made it for rk3066/rk3188 HUs on petrows microntec headunit service. Hope this help https://github.com/petrows/RK3066-Headunit-service
https://www.google.ru/url?sa=t&sour...MQ5YQBCCcwAA&usg=AOvVaw2W8hsXylKrMeQRC2R2mOVt
This service also can send buttons presses to Poweramp, USB Audio Player Pro, Spotify, PCRadio etc. But it is for MTCB, not for MTCD HUs. I dont know a difference of Microntek services of this versions of HUs. So I cannot say will it work or not on MTCD.
Question which has better sound?
Chich output > dsp > amp or
Usb dac > amp
??? I think the sound should just be good with a dsp or im wrong?
aluver said:
All apps like youtube, navigation, poweramp etc are sounding from android board and all of them can be routed to play through usb-dac using usb audio function of android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man for the detailed post.
How do i do this. Is it in the developer options where we select to use Audio source for USB . What would happen in case we have multiple USB devices in use?
Thanks in advance.
kaderekusen said:
Question which has better sound?
Chich output > dsp > amp or
Usb dac > amp
??? I think the sound should just be good with a dsp or im wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean under "Chich output". RCA? I think dsp cannot make the sound of HU's RCA better. It has a very poor quality with low voltage - so you get a lot of noise and "unsharped" sound.
---------- Post added at 11:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:29 AM ----------
piyush7243 said:
Thanks man for the detailed post.
How do i do this. Is it in the developer options where we select to use Audio source for USB . What would happen in case we have multiple USB devices in use?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think dev options have it. I think usb audio must work from the box on android 6 firmware, but it may depends from firmware version. To dermine usb audio driver exist in kernel just plug in your usb-dac and view file /proc/asound/cards - it will show you all plugged sound devices for this moment. But note at first you need to entirely stop all installed direct players like UAPP, Hybi, NeutronMP etc.
aluver said:
[/COLOR]I don't think dev options have it. I think usb audio must work from the box on android 6 firmware, but it may depends from firmware version. To dermine usb audio driver exist in kernel just plug in your usb-dac and view file /proc/asound/cards - it will show you all plugged sound devices for this moment. But note at first you need to entirely stop all installed direct players like UAPP, Hybi, NeutronMP etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dev options have it and i have enabled it there as well. but not sure on which USB port. Also currently i am at the highest firmware level and ROM level. No 3rd party USB driver is installed, still cant get the USB audio out. I have even replaced the audio_policy.conf.
I will check if the device is getting detected or not
piyush7243 said:
Dev options have it and i have enabled it there as well. but not sure on which USB port.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good info. Is your firmware from enthusiasts or from a producer?
You have to use USB port for 3g-modem - it must be otg. But on my Klyde rk3066 mtcb hu I have all 3 usb ports working with dac.
audio_policy.conf must be in /etc for proper usb audio functionality.
Didn't understand about usb modem. I use 2 HDD and a USB DAC .the firmware is Hotaudio Dasaita default one. Do you have the audio_policy.conf file for my reference
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
I mean otg usb port is usually marked "3g-modem" or like that.
audio_policy.conf may be different for our HUs. Besides, I have android 4.4.4 rom. But I attach my 2 versions of audio_policy.conf. The second version is from ROM that contains a file /system/lib/hw/audio.alsa_usb.rk30board.so. So policy contains alsa_usb section.
What is your result with driver?
aluver said:
I mean otg usb port is usually marked "3g-modem" or like that.
audio_policy.conf may be different for our HUs. Besides, I have android 4.4.4 rom. But I attach my 2 versions of audio_policy.conf. The second version is from ROM that contains a file /system/lib/hw/audio.alsa_usb.rk30board.so. So policy contains alsa_usb section.
What is your result with driver?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for putting this here. Btw nothing was marked on my USB cables so swapping usb helped and one of them worked on apps.
Now another quick question. Tried Poweramp but it didn't see the usb DAC. Jet audio would hang. Any other music apps which doesn't use its proprietary driver.
I can use UAPP but it seems that it locks the usb DAC and doesn't allow the other apps to have access.
With UAPP it says usb device initialised but yesterday no such message.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
piyush7243 said:
Now another quick question. Tried Poweramp but it didn't see the usb DAC. Jet audio would hang. Any other music apps which doesn't use its proprietary driver.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you use Poweramp v3 alpha? What version? Better use v703 for your android 6. What samplerate do you have in audio_policy.conf at usb_device section now? Need to limit it 44100 and 16 bit depth. Poweramp 3 may not work with usb-dac directly in case of many software and hardware combinations reasons. But you can use Poweramp v2 - it may work as other apps through android kernel usb audio driver.
---------- Post added at 08:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:29 AM ----------
piyush7243 said:
I can use UAPP but it seems that it locks the usb DAC and doesn't allow the other apps to have access.
With UAPP it says usb device initialised but yesterday no such message.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wrote earlier about this. All direct players always lock usb-dac. I am not sure but seems to be Poweramp v3 alpha does not lock dacs, internal at least. Try it.
I am back , after the reboot, the usb DAC is not being used again. Ughhhh. Need to break my head more to get to bottom of this behaviour.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
One of the disappointing trends for me with new phones is the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jacks. However, given the popularity of wireless headphones and the large market share of Apple devices I expect the trend to continue and headphone jacks to be found on fewer and fewer phones in the future.
I imagine that I'm in the minority of users who use neither streaming services or Bluetooth headphones. My music is usually high bit rate FLAC, ACC or MP3 depending on when I ripped it. My initial listening on the included 3.5mm DAC was not promising. A lack of dynamic range and low volume even on efficient in ear monitors (IEMs) made me think about finding a replacement.
The problem is there aren't at lot of options for small passive DACs. And my bet is that most of the current phones with no 3.5mm jack use the same chipset that Essential uses - the Conexant CX20985 for their headphone adapters. (For more info - see the AnandTech article - Conexant Introduces USB-C Digital Audio Compliant Chips.)
So that lead me to see if perhaps there was something that could be done in software. Based on my limited research it would appear that Android above version 5.0 has a built in USB to DAC driver. It also appears that this is what Essential uses to access the USB adapter. However, this driver is quite limited. Consistent with what I heard, the driver resamples everything to 16-bit 48kHz and limits the dynamic range. (For more info see extreamsd.com and their USB audio driver page.)
Good news! There are several music player applications on GooglePlay that are capable of natively recognizing the Essential DAC over USB. The difference in sound quality, volume and dynamic range is like night and day. The most polished one I've used is the paid application Onkyo HF Player. However, the free application HibyMusic also works, but has few rough edges. The Onkyo application sounds good enough for me to make finding a better DAC no longer necessary.
One WARNING on both programs and the Essential DAC - when the DAC is recognized by the programs they frequently turn the initial volume level to 100%. If you do this while you've started music playing and have the headphones on you will be in for a very rude surprise. Trust me I learned this the hard way - plug everything in with no music playing and be sure to lower the volume first.
Update from comments - Apps that support the Essential DAC directly:
1. Onkyo HF Player
2. HibyMusic
3. USB Audio Player Pro
4. Neutron Music Player
USB Audio Player Pro has a custom driver that supports bit-perfect on android. I use it with external DACs such as the Meridian Explorer 2 (MQA works perfectly) and the AudioQuest Dragonfly Red - hardware volume control works.
TimboC2000 said:
One of the disappointing trends for me with new phones is the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jacks. However, given the popularity of wireless headphones and the large market share of Apple devices I expect the trend to continue and headphone jacks to be found on fewer and fewer phones in the future.
I imagine that I'm in the minority of users who use neither streaming services or Bluetooth headphones. My music is usually high bit rate FLAC, ACC or MP3 depending on when I ripped it. My initial listening on the included 3.5mm DAC was not promising. A lack of dynamic range and low volume even on efficient in ear monitors (IEMs) made me think about finding a replacement.
The problem is there aren't at lot of options for small passive DACs. And my bet is that most of the current phones with no 3.5mm jack use the same chipset that Essential uses - the Conexant CX20985 for their headphone adapters. (For more info - see the AnandTech article - Conexant Introduces USB-C Digital Audio Compliant Chips.)
So that lead me to see if perhaps there was something that could be done in software. Based on my limited research it would appear that Android above version 5.0 has a built in USB to DAC driver. It also appears that this is what Essential uses to access the USB adapter. However, this driver is quite limited. Consistent with what I heard, the driver resamples everything to 16-bit 48kHz and limits the dynamic range. (For more info see extreamsd.com and their USB audio driver page.)
Good news! There are several music player applications on GooglePlay that are capable of natively recognizing the Essential DAC over USB. The difference in sound quality, volume and dynamic range is like night and day. The most polished one I've used is the paid application Onkyo HF Player. However, the free application HibyMusic also works, but has few rough edges. The Onkyo application sounds good enough for me to make finding a better DAC no longer necessary.
One WARNING on both programs and the Essential DAC - when the DAC is recognized by the programs they frequently turn the initial volume level to 100%. If you do this while you've started music playing and have the headphones on you will be in for a very rude surprise. Trust me I learned this the hard way - plug everything in with no music playing and be sure to lower the volume first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this, I was searching just today for something that would be compatible with the USB-C output and I didn't want to waste money on anything that won't work on the Essential. And I have an Onkyo receiver for my living room to boot. I wonder how the Iron Maiden flavored version of the app works? I am a Maiden fan as well. Maybe I'll try that version and report back on this thread.
A quick update. For $9.00 I figured I’d give the Google Pixel DAC a try. It only samples at 48kHz. It also provides no identifying information as to manufacturer. So it works, but the Essential DAC is superior.
For a small compact passive DAC the new Razer Phone DAC at $20 would be the one to try. It is 24bit and THX certified, but as yet untested on the Essential Phone. So it may only work on the Razer.
How do you know if the app has native support?
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs
avd said:
How do you know if the app has native support?
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Onkyo program will identify the DAC and tell you the sampling modes. Both programs bring up a dialog box noting a USB device when it is plugged in.
But you have to rely on the program author and description to see if they support DACs natively.
Personally I have been using Neutron Music Player on the Play Store, and it has been working great.
I picked it up years ago on sale and downloaded it on my PH-1 to see if it added a setting to support USB DACs, and it turns out it did
However, it did not use the external DAC by default, you have to enable it in the settings. The setting was specifically under Audio Hardware, as 'Direct USB Driver' to allow direct access to the USB device. I am on Nougat and after closing and reopening the app, the background hiss/static I could hear while using the default output is now gone and my Essential USB-C DAC has been working great.
oken735 said:
Personally I have been using Neutron Music Player on the Play Store, and it has been working great.
I picked it up years ago on sale and downloaded it on my PH-1 to see if it added a setting to support USB DACs, and it turns out it did
However, it did not use the external DAC by default, you have to enable it in the settings. The setting was specifically under Audio Hardware, as 'Direct USB Driver' to allow direct access to the USB device. I am on Nougat and after closing and reopening the app, the background hiss/static I could hear while using the default output is now gone and my Essential USB-C DAC has been working great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And this has a trial version, perfect. I will give it a try. After I get some files on my PH-1. Had to order a cable to connect to my PC since Essential doesn't include one! I am guessing that none of these apps work with Tidal,Spotify,Pandora etc?
chiadrum said:
And this has a trial version, perfect. I will give it a try. After I get some files on my PH-1. Had to order a cable to connect to my PC since Essential doesn't include one! I am guessing that none of these apps work with Tidal,Spotify,Pandora etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes a "regular" USB to USB C. Monotone had it on sale this week.
Out you can use software like synching.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs
chiadrum said:
And this has a trial version, perfect. I will give it a try. After I get some files on my PH-1. Had to order a cable to connect to my PC since Essential doesn't include one! I am guessing that none of these apps work with Tidal,Spotify,Pandora etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use a UPnP source, or ftp/webdav, but yea, no option to use any of those natively, without downloading the songs to local storage as far as I know
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk
Initially was very disappointed with the supplied dac. I can hear static n audio breaking up. Then i realised that the issue only appear when I'm on low volume with equalizer turned on. Bumping up the volume fixed the static n breaking up issue. So my current setup is supplied dac + portable amp. The amp is to control the volume as connecting directly to the dac is too loud for my preference. It is the best sounding setup i have thus far. Sounds better than pairing my old mp3 player with the same amp. I'm using poweramp to play my songs.
oken735 said:
Personally I have been using Neutron Music Player on the Play Store, and it has been working great.
I picked it up years ago on sale and downloaded it on my PH-1 to see if it added a setting to support USB DACs, and it turns out it did
However, it did not use the external DAC by default, you have to enable it in the settings. The setting was specifically under Audio Hardware, as 'Direct USB Driver' to allow direct access to the USB device. I am on Nougat and after closing and reopening the app, the background hiss/static I could hear while using the default output is now gone and my Essential USB-C DAC has been working great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using Neutron Trial version (which is a full version limited to 5 days) and I don't see much of a difference between its direct USB driver vs generic driver. Could you please check in the settings Audio Hardware, what is the bitrate listed? For me when I enable "Direct USB Driver" its fixing the bitrate to 48kHz, is it the same for you as well?
Has anyone tried the Essential DAC with PowerAMP? I know it supports USB DACS pretty well.
mvadu said:
I am using Neutron Trial version (which is a full version limited to 5 days) and I don't see much of a difference between its direct USB driver vs generic driver. Could you please check in the settings Audio Hardware, what is the bitrate listed? For me when I enable "Direct USB Driver" its fixing the bitrate to 48kHz, is it the same for you as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The direct USB driver, to my knowledge, is the setting that enables direct DAC driver. The generic driver is a setting that says to use a less specific version of the direct DAC driver that should work with more USB DACs. Each of these settings have submenus that you can play with that should allow you to change the format, frequency, mode, and other settings you might want.
When I have both direct USB driver and generic driver selected, my driver shows up as conexant USB audio, and my bits show up as 32, and frequency 44100. I haven't tryied to tweak the bitrate/frequency as I am happy with the sound from the stock settings with some small EQing for my headphones.
cgprats said:
Has anyone tried the Essential DAC with PowerAMP? I know it supports USB DACS pretty well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used PowerAmp for a while sound was OK, but it did not appear to be loud enough some times. also tweaking the settings, EQ, etc. seem to make it worse for me.
I had paid for Power amp back with my nexus 4 and loved the app, but it just does not sound right for me know.
Also I'm definitely not an audiophile just want to hear my music.
I have been testing Vinyl Music Player and it seems to sound better to me. This is from the Fdroid repository.
Free, No adds and no extra permissions, but no extra settings also.
oken735 said:
The direct USB driver, to my knowledge, is the setting that enables direct DAC driver. The generic driver is a setting that says to use a less specific version of the direct DAC driver that should work with more USB DACs. Each of these settings have submenus that you can play with that should allow you to change the format, frequency, mode, and other settings you might want.
When I have both direct USB driver and generic driver selected, my driver shows up as conexant USB audio, and my bits show up as 32, and frequency 44100. I haven't tryied to tweak the bitrate/frequency as I am happy with the sound from the stock settings with some small EQing for my headphones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Makes sense.. Have you been able to use the headset to receive to calls while you are listening to music? I can't hear the incoming calls, and if I make a call, it goes to device speaker. Both cases it stops the music though.
mvadu said:
Makes sense.. Have you been able to use the headset to receive to calls while you are listening to music? I can't hear the incoming calls, and if I make a call, it goes to device speaker. Both cases it stops the music though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it depends on the Rom you are running. When I was on nougat, receiving phone calls while music was playing was a crapshoot.
On Lineage OS, the few times I have received or made a call with the headphones plugged in, it worked fine, I could hear them and it came through the headphones, and it even switched to earpiece when I unplugged the adapter. :good:
I'm not sure how it is on the current official Oreo 8.1 release as I haven't used it for enough time where I would have ran into a situation where I was making or taking a call with headphones in.
cgprats said:
Has anyone tried the Essential DAC with PowerAMP? I know it supports USB DACS pretty well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I wrote this originally I tried the paid version of PowerAMP and its beta version. Neither was able to natively recognize the Essential DAC. I'd used PowerAMP for years.
I haven't bothered to try it since I switched to Onkyo HF
Maybe you want to add BlackPlayer EX to the list. I proved with the Onkyo HF Player, HibyMusic and USB Audio Player Pro and I can hardly find any significant difference.
Also I tried with the LeEco LeMax 2 headphones (the only one with usb- c port I have) and the ubs-c to 3.5mm adapter. The LeEco headphone are way much better. Better bass, better clarity, greater sharpness. Even at louder music. So, if you want to recomend a cheap but great usb-c headphones, the LeEco option is wonderful.
So glad I found this thread. we just got two essentials in the house and I am interested in some of the add-ons but really just wanted the USB to mini adapter to work a bit better.
I'd forgotten about USB audio pro, which I bought some time back for a tablet and outboard DAC.
works great with the usb-c to mini, and it lets you browse Tidal and, iirc, upnp libraries.
For those interested, just now essential is offering 3 months of Tidal for free.