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My audio output is being picked up by my audio input, even when no device is plugged in (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I work remote and I'm constantly on a Teams meeting while working. My colleagues have been complaining for a while that they can hear my youtube video, if I have it a bit loud. I always figured my microphone was picking it up and never paid much attention to it. Reducing the video volume or the microphone volume would fix it.

Today I accidentally unplugged my headset and they could still hear the video. Nothing is plugged into the computer, yet they can listen to my video. Something is causing a loopback or something, I can't figure out what.

My system:

EndeavourOS
Pipewire 1.2.7
The folders /etc/pipewire/pipewire.conf.d/ and ~/.config/pipewire/pipewire.conf.d/ are empty, so I assume no filters are being used

I attached the output of qpwgraph. I'm not really an audio expert but it looks normal?

Let me know how I can fix this! Thanks!

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Report it on the pipewire repo or search for it there. I think it's a problem with pipewire and the 3.5mm connection. I've observed it on 3 different linux distros on 3 different devices. As soon as pure USB audio was used, the issue was resolved. If you have the means, do try USB audio only and report back.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

I actually do own an external usb sound card, this problem doesn't happen there. I don't use it because it has a severe crackling/static noise constantly playing, I could also never figure it out. My luck with audio in Linux is just not there. EDIT: after further testing, it also happens there but I REALLY have to boost both the mic and sound volume. But it happens, which is scary.

I was imprecise in the description of my connection. My headset only has one of 3.5mm who has both micro + headphone combined, like the one you use on your smartphone. I think it's called TRSS. I then use the Y cable that came from with my headphones to split it into two separate 3.5mm connections, one for input and another for output. When I disconnected my headphones, the Y cable remained connected to audio card. It appears that the Y cable is the source of the problem.

If I only use the microphone jack of my Y cable, and connect my speakers to the sound card output, it works fine. The should outputs the the speakers, the input comes from my microphone and it doesn't loopback.

I've tried a second pair of Y cable but the same is happening. Both are oficial Beyerdynamic cables, maybe swapping to another brand could fix it?

At least now I can make some sense out of the problem, even if I'm unable to fix it. I opened a bug report on pipewire as you suggested but I doubt anything will come out of it. I think I'll just buy a non-ancient USB sound card and see how that works out for me.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago

Have you checked your shell for ghosts? That's an odd one

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

What headset do you have? Where do you connect it?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I use a Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro with a Vmoda Boom ProX microphone. It connects to my internal audio card via a normal 3.5mm jack. The problem happens even after I unplug them.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

This might be a shot in the dark but maybe it is some sort of induction? The audio may still be generated and somehow it is creating a current in the mic electronics

I'm not a electrical engineer so this could be horribly wrong

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

Any idea on how I could possibly debug that?