Report volume like alsamixer. Maybe.

I have no idea how they calculate dB.

CHANGES

@@ -1,32 +1,3 @@
-Version 0.8.6:
-- Added four methods to the 'PCM' class to allow users to get detailed information about the device:
-
-  - 'getformats()' returns a dictionary of name / value pairs, one for each of the card's
-    supported formats - e.g. '{"U8": 1, "S16_LE": 2}',
-  - 'getchannels()' returns a list of the supported channel numbers, e.g. '[1, 2]',
-  - 'getrates()' returns supported sample rates for the device, e.g. '[48000]',
-  - 'getratebounds()' returns the device's official minimum and maximum supported 
-    sample rates as a tuple, e.g. '(4000, 48000)'.
-  
-  (#82 contributed by @jdstmporter)
-
-- Prevent hang on close after capturing audio (#80 contributed by @daym)
-
-Version 0.8.5:
-- Return an empty string/bytestring when 'read()' detects an 
-  overrun. Previously the returned data was undefined (contributed by @jcea)
-
-- Unlimited setperiod buffer size when reading frames (contributed by @jcea)
-
-Version 0.8.4:
-- Fix Python3 API usage broken in 0.8.3
-
-Version 0.8.3:
-- Add DSD sample formats (contributed by @lintweaker)
-- Add Mixer.handleevents() to acknowledge events identified by select.poll (contributed by @PaulSD)
-- Add functions for listing cards and their names (contributed by @chrisdiamand)
-- Add a method for setting enums (contributed by @chrisdiamand)
-
 Version 0.8.2:
 - fix #3 (we cannot get the revision from git for pip installs)
 

alsaaudio.c

@@ -29,65 +29,6 @@
 #include <alsa/version.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 
-#define ARRAY_SIZE(a) (sizeof(a) / sizeof *(a))
-static const snd_pcm_format_t ALSAFormats[] = {
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_S8,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_U8,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_S16_LE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_S16_BE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_U16_LE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_U16_BE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_S24_LE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_S24_BE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_U24_LE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_U24_BE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_S32_LE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_S32_BE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_U32_LE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_U32_BE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_FLOAT_LE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_FLOAT_BE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_FLOAT64_LE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_FLOAT64_BE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_IEC958_SUBFRAME_LE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_IEC958_SUBFRAME_BE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_MU_LAW,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_A_LAW,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_IMA_ADPCM,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_MPEG,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_GSM,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_SPECIAL,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_S24_3LE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_S24_3BE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_U24_3LE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_U24_3BE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_S20_3LE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_S20_3BE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_U20_3LE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_U20_3BE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_S18_3LE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_S18_3BE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_U18_3LE,
-    SND_PCM_FORMAT_U18_3BE
-};
-
-static const unsigned ALSARates[] = {
-    4000,
-    5512,
-    8000,
-    11025,
-    16000,
-    22050,
-    32000,
-    44100,
-    48000,
-    64000,
-    88200,
-    96000,
-    176400,
-    192000
-};
-
 PyDoc_STRVAR(alsaaudio_module_doc,
              "This modules provides support for the ALSA audio API.\n"
              "\n"
@@ -136,6 +77,12 @@ typedef struct {
     snd_mixer_t *handle;
 } alsamixer_t;
 
+typedef enum {
+    unit_percent,
+    unit_dB,
+    unit_last
+} volume_unit_t;   
+
 /******************************************/
 /* PCM object wrapper                   */
 /******************************************/
@@ -358,26 +305,74 @@ PyDoc_STRVAR(pcms_doc,
 \n\
 List the available PCM devices");
 
+static int alsapcm_setup(alsapcm_t *self)
+{
+    int res,dir;
+    unsigned int val;
+    snd_pcm_format_t fmt;
+    snd_pcm_uframes_t frames;
+    snd_pcm_hw_params_t *hwparams;
+
+    /* Allocate a hwparam structure on the stack,
+       and fill it with configuration space */
+    snd_pcm_hw_params_alloca(&hwparams);
+    res = snd_pcm_hw_params_any(self->handle, hwparams);
+    if (res < 0)
+        return res;
+
+    /* Fill it with default values.
+
+       We don't care if any of this fails - we'll read the actual values
+       back out.
+     */
+    snd_pcm_hw_params_any(self->handle, hwparams);
+    snd_pcm_hw_params_set_access(self->handle, hwparams,
+                                 SND_PCM_ACCESS_RW_INTERLEAVED);
+    snd_pcm_hw_params_set_format(self->handle, hwparams, self->format);
+    snd_pcm_hw_params_set_channels(self->handle, hwparams,
+                                   self->channels);
+
+    dir = 0;
+    snd_pcm_hw_params_set_rate(self->handle, hwparams, self->rate, dir);
+    snd_pcm_hw_params_set_period_size(self->handle, hwparams,
+                                      self->periodsize, dir);
+    snd_pcm_hw_params_set_periods(self->handle, hwparams, 4, 0);
+
+    /* Write it to the device */
+    res = snd_pcm_hw_params(self->handle, hwparams);
+
+    /* Query current settings. These may differ from the requested values,
+       which should therefore be sync'ed with actual values */
+    snd_pcm_hw_params_current(self->handle, hwparams);
+
+    snd_pcm_hw_params_get_format(hwparams, &fmt); self->format = fmt;
+    snd_pcm_hw_params_get_channels(hwparams, &val); self->channels = val;
+    snd_pcm_hw_params_get_rate(hwparams, &val, &dir); self->rate = val;
+    snd_pcm_hw_params_get_period_size(hwparams, &frames, &dir);
+    self->periodsize = (int) frames;
+
+    self->framesize = self->channels * snd_pcm_hw_params_get_sbits(hwparams)/8;
+
+    return res;
+}
+
 static PyObject *
 alsapcm_new(PyTypeObject *type, PyObject *args, PyObject *kwds)
 {
+    int res;
     alsapcm_t *self;
     PyObject *pcmtypeobj = NULL;
     long pcmtype;
     int pcmmode = 0;
-    unsigned int rate = 48000;
-    unsigned int channels = 2;
-    snd_pcm_format_t format = SND_PCM_FORMAT_S16_LE;
     char *device = "default";
     char *card = NULL;
     int cardidx = -1;
     char hw_device[128];
-    int latency = 200;
+    char *kw[] = { "type", "mode", "device", "cardindex", "card", NULL };
-    char *kw[] = { "type", "mode", "device", "cardindex", "card", "format", "rate", "channels", "latency", NULL };
 
-    if (!PyArg_ParseTupleAndKeywords(args, kwds, "|Oisiziiii", kw,
+    if (!PyArg_ParseTupleAndKeywords(args, kwds, "|Oisiz", kw,
                                      &pcmtypeobj, &pcmmode, &device,
-                                     &cardidx, &card, &rate, &format, &channels, &latency))
+                                     &cardidx, &card))
         return NULL;
 
     if (cardidx >= 0) {
@@ -410,9 +405,29 @@ alsapcm_new(PyTypeObject *type, PyObject *args, PyObject *kwds)
         return NULL;
     }
 
+    if (pcmmode < 0 || pcmmode > SND_PCM_ASYNC) {
+        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "Invalid PCM mode");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    if (!(self = (alsapcm_t *)PyObject_New(alsapcm_t, &ALSAPCMType)))
+        return NULL;
+
+    self->handle = 0;
+    self->pcmtype = pcmtype;
+    self->pcmmode = pcmmode;
+    self->channels = 2;
+    self->rate = 44100;
+    self->format = SND_PCM_FORMAT_S16_LE;
+    self->periodsize = 32;
+
     res = snd_pcm_open(&(self->handle), device, self->pcmtype,
                        self->pcmmode);
 
+    if (res >= 0) {
+        res = alsapcm_setup(self);
+    }
+    
     if (res >= 0) {
         self->cardname = strdup(device);
     }
@@ -431,7 +446,6 @@ alsapcm_new(PyTypeObject *type, PyObject *args, PyObject *kwds)
 static void alsapcm_dealloc(alsapcm_t *self)
 {
     if (self->handle) {
-        snd_pcm_pause(self->handle, 1);
         snd_pcm_drain(self->handle);
         snd_pcm_close(self->handle);
     }
@@ -564,184 +578,6 @@ alsapcm_dumpinfo(alsapcm_t *self, PyObject *args)
     return Py_None;
 }
 
-// auxiliary function
-
-
-static PyObject *
-alsapcm_getformats(alsapcm_t *self, PyObject *args)
-{
-    snd_pcm_t *pcm = self->handle;
-    if (!pcm) {
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "PCM device is closed");
-        return NULL;
-    }
-
-    snd_pcm_hw_params_t *params;
-    snd_pcm_hw_params_alloca(&params);
-    int err = snd_pcm_hw_params_any(pcm, params);
-    if (err < 0) {
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "Cannot get hardware parameters");
-        return NULL;
-    }
-
-    PyObject *fmts = PyDict_New();
-    for (size_t i = 0; i < ARRAY_SIZE(ALSAFormats); ++i) {
-        snd_pcm_format_t format = ALSAFormats[i];
-        if (!snd_pcm_hw_params_test_format(pcm, params, format)) {
-            const char *name = snd_pcm_format_name(format);
-            PyObject *pname=PyUnicode_FromString(name);
-            PyObject *value=PyLong_FromLong((long)format);
-            PyDict_SetItem(fmts,pname,value);
-        }
-    }
-    return fmts;
-}
-
-PyDoc_STRVAR(getformats_doc,
-"getformats() -> [str:int]\n\
-\n\
-Returns dictionary of supported format codes keyed by their standard ALSA names.");
-
-static PyObject *
-alsapcm_getratemaxmin(alsapcm_t *self, PyObject *args)
-{
-    snd_pcm_t *pcm = self->handle;
-    if (!pcm) {
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "PCM device is closed");
-        return NULL;
-    }
-
-    snd_pcm_hw_params_t *params;
-    snd_pcm_hw_params_alloca(&params);
-    int err = snd_pcm_hw_params_any(pcm, params);
-    if (err < 0) {
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "Cannot get hardware parameters");
-        return NULL;
-    }
-
-    unsigned min,max;
-    if (snd_pcm_hw_params_get_rate_min(params, &min,NULL)<0) {
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "Cannot get minimum supported bitrate");
-        return NULL;
-    }
-    if (snd_pcm_hw_params_get_rate_max(params, &max,NULL)<0) {
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "Cannot get maximum supported bitrate");
-        return NULL;
-    }
-    
-    PyObject *minp=PyLong_FromLong(min);
-    PyObject *maxp=PyLong_FromLong(max);
-    return PyTuple_Pack(2, minp, maxp);
-}
-
-PyDoc_STRVAR(getratebounds_doc,
-"getratebounds() -> (int,int)\n\
-\n\
-Returns the card's minimum and maximum supported sample rates as a tuple.");
-
-static PyObject *
-alsapcm_getrates(alsapcm_t *self, PyObject *args)
-{
-    snd_pcm_t *pcm = self->handle;
-    if (!pcm) {
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "PCM device is closed");
-        return NULL;
-    }
-
-    snd_pcm_hw_params_t *params;
-    snd_pcm_hw_params_alloca(&params);
-    int err = snd_pcm_hw_params_any(pcm, params);
-    if (err < 0) {
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "Cannot get hardware parameters");
-        return NULL;
-    }
-    
-    unsigned min, max;
-    if (snd_pcm_hw_params_get_rate_min(params, &min, NULL) <0 ) {
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "Cannot get minimum supported bitrate");
-        return NULL;
-    }
-    if (snd_pcm_hw_params_get_rate_max(params, &max, NULL) < 0) {
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "Cannot get maximum supported bitrate");
-        return NULL;
-    }
-    
-    if (min == max) {
-        return PyLong_FromLong(min);
-    }
-    else if (!snd_pcm_hw_params_test_rate(pcm, params, min + 1, 0)) {
-        PyObject *minp=PyLong_FromLong(min);
-        PyObject *maxp=PyLong_FromLong(max);
-        return PyTuple_Pack(2,minp,maxp);
-    }
-    else {
-        PyObject *rates=PyList_New(0);
-        for (size_t i=0; i<ARRAY_SIZE(ALSARates); i++) {
-            unsigned rate = ALSARates[i];
-            if (!snd_pcm_hw_params_test_rate(pcm, params, rate, 0)) {
-                PyObject *prate=PyLong_FromLong(rate);
-                PyList_Append(rates,prate);
-            }
-        }
-        return rates;
-    }
-}
-
-PyDoc_STRVAR(getrates_doc,
-"getrates() -> obj\n\
-\n\
-Returns the sample rates supported by the device.\
-Returned value can be one of three types, depending on the card's properties.\
-There are three cases:\n\
-\n\
-- Card supports only a single rate: returns the rate\n\
-- Card supports a continuous range of rates: returns a tuple of the range's lower and upper bounds (inclusive)\n\
-- Card supports a collection of well-known rates: returns a list of the supported rates");
-
-static PyObject *
-alsapcm_getchannels(alsapcm_t *self,PyObject *args)
-{
-    snd_pcm_t *pcm = self->handle;
-    if (!pcm) {
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "PCM device is closed");
-        return NULL;
-    }
-
-    snd_pcm_hw_params_t *params;
-    snd_pcm_hw_params_alloca(&params);
-    int err = snd_pcm_hw_params_any(pcm, params);
-    if (err < 0) {
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "Cannot get hardware parameters");
-        return NULL;
-    }
-
-    unsigned min, max;
-    if (snd_pcm_hw_params_get_channels_min(params, &min) < 0) {
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "Cannot get minimum supported number of channels");
-        return NULL;
-    }
-
-    if (snd_pcm_hw_params_get_channels_max(params, &max) < 0) {
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "Cannot get maximum supported number of channels");
-        return NULL;
-    }
-
-    PyObject *out = PyList_New(0);
-    for (unsigned ch=min;ch<=max;++ch) {
-        if (!snd_pcm_hw_params_test_channels(pcm, params, ch)) {
-            PyObject *pch=PyLong_FromLong(ch);
-            PyList_Append(out,pch);
-        }
-    }
-    return out;
-}
-
-PyDoc_STRVAR(getchannels_doc,
-"getchannels() -> [int]\n\
-\n\
-Returns list of supported channel numbers.");
-
-
 static PyObject *
 alsapcm_pcmtype(alsapcm_t *self, PyObject *args)
 {
@@ -804,13 +640,147 @@ PyDoc_STRVAR(cardname_doc,
 \n\
 Returns the name of the sound card used by this PCM object.");
 
+
+static PyObject *
+alsapcm_setchannels(alsapcm_t *self, PyObject *args)
+{
+    int channels;
+    int res;
+    if (!PyArg_ParseTuple(args,"i:setchannels", &channels))
+        return NULL;
+
+    if (!self->handle) {
+        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "PCM device is closed");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    self->channels = channels;
+    res = alsapcm_setup(self);
+    if (res < 0)
+    {
+        PyErr_Format(ALSAAudioError, "%s [%s]", snd_strerror(res),
+                     self->cardname);
+        return NULL;
+    }
+    return PyLong_FromLong(self->channels);
+}
+
+PyDoc_STRVAR(setchannels_doc,
+"setchannels(numchannels)\n\
+\n\
+Used to set the number of capture or playback channels. Common values\n\
+are: 1 = mono, 2 = stereo, and 6 = full 6 channel audio.\n\
+\n\
+Few sound cards support more than 2 channels.");
+
+
+static PyObject *
+alsapcm_setrate(alsapcm_t *self, PyObject *args)
+{
+    int rate;
+    int res;
+    if (!PyArg_ParseTuple(args,"i:setrate", &rate))
+        return NULL;
+
+    if (!self->handle)
+    {
+        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "PCM device is closed");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    self->rate = rate;
+    res = alsapcm_setup(self);
+    if (res < 0)
+    {
+        PyErr_Format(ALSAAudioError, "%s [%s]", snd_strerror(res),
+                     self->cardname);
+        return NULL;
+    }
+    return PyLong_FromLong(self->rate);
+}
+
+PyDoc_STRVAR(setrate_doc,
+"setrate(rate)\n\
+\n\
+Set the sample rate in Hz for the device. Typical values are\n\
+8000 (telephony), 11025, 44100 (CD), 48000 (DVD audio) and 96000");
+
+
+static PyObject *
+alsapcm_setformat(alsapcm_t *self, PyObject *args)
+{
+    int format;
+    int res;
+    if (!PyArg_ParseTuple(args,"i:setformat", &format))
+        return NULL;
+
+    if (!self->handle)
+    {
+        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "PCM device is closed");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    self->format = format;
+    res = alsapcm_setup(self);
+    if (res < 0)
+    {
+        PyErr_Format(ALSAAudioError, "%s [%s]", snd_strerror(res),
+                     self->cardname);
+        return NULL;
+    }
+    return PyLong_FromLong(self->format);
+}
+
+PyDoc_STRVAR(setformat_doc,
+"setformat(rate)\n");
+
+static PyObject *
+alsapcm_setperiodsize(alsapcm_t *self, PyObject *args)
+{
+    int periodsize;
+    int res;
+
+    if (!PyArg_ParseTuple(args,"i:setperiodsize", &periodsize))
+        return NULL;
+
+    if (!self->handle)
+    {
+        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "PCM device is closed");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    self->periodsize = periodsize;
+    res = alsapcm_setup(self);
+    if (res < 0)
+    {
+        PyErr_Format(ALSAAudioError, "%s [%s]", snd_strerror(res),
+                     self->cardname);
+
+        return NULL;
+    }
+    return PyLong_FromLong(self->periodsize);
+}
+
+PyDoc_STRVAR(setperiodsize_doc,
+"setperiodsize(period) -> int\n\
+\n\
+Sets the actual period size in frames. Each write should consist of\n\
+exactly this number of frames, and each read will return this number of\n\
+frames (unless the device is in PCM_NONBLOCK mode, in which case it\n\
+may return nothing at all).");
+
 static PyObject *
 alsapcm_read(alsapcm_t *self, PyObject *args)
 {
     int res;
-    int size = self->framesize * self->periodsize;
+    char buffer[8000];
-    PyObject *buffer_obj, *tuple_obj, *res_obj;
+
-    char *buffer;
+    if (self->framesize * self->periodsize > 8000) {
+
+        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError,"Capture data too large. "
+                        "Try decreasing period size");
+        return NULL;
+    }
 
     if (!PyArg_ParseTuple(args,":read"))
         return NULL;
@@ -827,18 +797,6 @@ alsapcm_read(alsapcm_t *self, PyObject *args)
         return NULL;
     }
 
-#if PY_MAJOR_VERSION < 3
-    buffer_obj = PyString_FromStringAndSize(NULL, size);
-    if (!buffer_obj)
-        return NULL;
-    buffer = PyString_AS_STRING(buffer_obj);
-#else
-    buffer_obj = PyBytes_FromStringAndSize(NULL, size);
-    if (!buffer_obj)
-        return NULL;
-    buffer = PyBytes_AS_STRING(buffer_obj);
-#endif
-
     Py_BEGIN_ALLOW_THREADS
     res = snd_pcm_readi(self->handle, buffer, self->periodsize);
     if (res == -EPIPE)
@@ -858,41 +816,17 @@ alsapcm_read(alsapcm_t *self, PyObject *args)
             PyErr_Format(ALSAAudioError, "%s [%s]", snd_strerror(res),
                          self->cardname);
 
-            Py_DECREF(buffer_obj);
             return NULL;
         }
     }
 
-    if (res <= 0) {
 #if PY_MAJOR_VERSION < 3
-        /* If the following fails, it will free the object */
+    return Py_BuildValue("is#", res, buffer, res*self->framesize);
-        if (_PyString_Resize(&buffer_obj, 0))
-            return NULL;
 #else
-        /* If the following fails, it will free the object */
+    return Py_BuildValue("iy#", res, buffer, res*self->framesize);
-        if (_PyBytes_Resize(&buffer_obj, 0))
-            return NULL;
 #endif
 }
 
-    res_obj = PyLong_FromLong(res);
-    if (!res_obj) {
-        Py_DECREF(buffer_obj);
-        return NULL;
-    }
-    tuple_obj = PyTuple_New(2);
-    if (!tuple_obj) {
-        Py_DECREF(buffer_obj);
-        Py_DECREF(res_obj);
-        return NULL;
-    }
-    /* Steal reference counts */
-    PyTuple_SET_ITEM(tuple_obj, 0, res_obj);
-    PyTuple_SET_ITEM(tuple_obj, 1, buffer_obj);
-
-    return tuple_obj;
-}
-
 PyDoc_STRVAR(read_doc,
 "read() -> (size, data)\n\
 \n\
@@ -1022,43 +956,6 @@ PyDoc_STRVAR(pause_doc,
 If enable is 1, playback or capture is paused. If enable is 0,\n\
 playback/capture is resumed.");
 
-
-static PyObject *alsapcm_drop(alsapcm_t *self)
-{
-    int res;
-
-    if (!self->handle) {
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "PCM device is closed");
-        return NULL;
-    }
-
-    res = snd_pcm_drop(self->handle);
-
-    if (res < 0)
-    {
-        PyErr_Format(ALSAAudioError, "%s [%s]", snd_strerror(res),
-                     self->cardname);
-
-        return NULL;
-    }
-    
-    res = snd_pcm_prepare(self->handle);
-    if (res < 0)
-    {
-        PyErr_Format(ALSAAudioError, "%s [%s]", snd_strerror(res),
-                     self->cardname);
-
-        return NULL;
-    }
-    
-    return PyLong_FromLong(res);
-}
-
-PyDoc_STRVAR(drop_doc,
-"drop(enable=1)\n\
-\n\
-stop current read and drop residual packet");
-
 static PyObject *
 alsapcm_polldescriptors(alsapcm_t *self, PyObject *args)
 {
@@ -1122,15 +1019,16 @@ static PyMethodDef alsapcm_methods[] = {
     {"pcmtype", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_pcmtype, METH_VARARGS, pcmtype_doc},
     {"pcmmode", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_pcmmode, METH_VARARGS, pcmmode_doc},
     {"cardname", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_cardname, METH_VARARGS, cardname_doc},
+    {"setchannels", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_setchannels, METH_VARARGS,
+     setchannels_doc },
+    {"setrate", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_setrate, METH_VARARGS, setrate_doc},
+    {"setformat", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_setformat, METH_VARARGS, setformat_doc},
+    {"setperiodsize", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_setperiodsize, METH_VARARGS,
+     setperiodsize_doc},
     {"dumpinfo", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_dumpinfo, METH_VARARGS},
-    {"getformats", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_getformats, METH_VARARGS, getformats_doc},
-    {"getratebounds", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_getratemaxmin, METH_VARARGS, getratebounds_doc},
-    {"getrates", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_getrates, METH_VARARGS, getrates_doc},
-    {"getchannels", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_getchannels, METH_VARARGS, getchannels_doc},
     {"read", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_read, METH_VARARGS, read_doc},
     {"write", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_write, METH_VARARGS, write_doc},
     {"pause", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_pause, METH_VARARGS, pause_doc},
-    {"drop", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_drop, METH_VARARGS, drop_doc},
     {"close", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_close, METH_VARARGS, pcm_close_doc},
     {"polldescriptors", (PyCFunction)alsapcm_polldescriptors, METH_VARARGS,
      pcm_polldescriptors_doc},
@@ -1675,21 +1573,31 @@ Possible values in this list are:\n\
  - 'Capture Exclusive'\n");
 
 
-static int alsamixer_getpercentage(long min, long max, long value)
+static double alsamixer_getpercentage(long min, long max, long value)
 {
     /* Convert from number in range to percentage */
     int range = max - min;
-    int tmp;
 
     if (range == 0)
         return 0;
 
     value -= min;
-    tmp = rint((double)value/(double)range * 100);
+    return (double)value/(double)range * 100.0;
-    return tmp;
 }
 
-static long alsamixer_getphysvolume(long min, long max, int percentage)
+static double alsamixer_getdB(long min, long max, long value)
+{
+    /* Convert from number in range to dB */
+    int range = max - min;
+
+    if (range == 0)
+        return 0;
+
+    value -= min;
+    return log10((double)value/range) * 60.0;
+}
+
+static long alsamixer_getphysvolume(long min, long max, double percentage)
 {
     /* Convert from percentage to number in range */
     int range = max - min;
@@ -1698,57 +1606,76 @@ static long alsamixer_getphysvolume(long min, long max, int percentage)
     if (range == 0)
         return 0;
 
-    tmp = rint((double)range * ((double)percentage*.01)) + min;
+    tmp = rint((double)range * (percentage * .01)) + min;
     return tmp;
 }
 
 static PyObject *
-alsamixer_getvolume(alsamixer_t *self, PyObject *args)
+alsamixer_getvolume(alsamixer_t *self, PyObject *args, PyObject *kw)
 {
     snd_mixer_elem_t *elem;
     int channel;
     long ival;
-    PyObject *pcmtypeobj = NULL;
+    PyObject *dirobj = NULL;
-    long pcmtype;
+    long dir;
+    int unit = unit_percent;
     PyObject *result;
     PyObject *item;
 
-    if (!PyArg_ParseTuple(args,"|O:getvolume", &pcmtypeobj))
+    static char *kwlist[] = { "direction", "unit", NULL };
+    
+    if (!PyArg_ParseTupleAndKeywords(args, kw, "|Oi:getvolume", kwlist, &dirobj, &unit))
         return NULL;
 
+    if (unit >= unit_last) {
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_ValueError, "unit must be 'percent' or 'dB'");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+    
+    dir = get_pcmtype(dirobj);
+    if (dir < 0) {
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
     if (!self->handle)
     {
         PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "Mixer is closed");
         return NULL;
     }
 
-    pcmtype = get_pcmtype(pcmtypeobj);
-    if (pcmtype < 0) {
-        return NULL;
-    }
-
     elem = alsamixer_find_elem(self->handle,self->controlname,self->controlid);
 
     result = PyList_New(0);
 
     for (channel = 0; channel <= SND_MIXER_SCHN_LAST; channel++) {
-        if (pcmtype == SND_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK &&
+        if (dir == SND_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK &&
             snd_mixer_selem_has_playback_channel(elem, channel))
         {
             snd_mixer_selem_get_playback_volume(elem, channel, &ival);
-            item = PyLong_FromLong(alsamixer_getpercentage(self->pmin,
+            if (unit == unit_percent) {
-                                                           self->pmax,
+                item = PyFloat_FromDouble(
-                                                           ival));
+                    alsamixer_getpercentage(self->pmin, self->pmax, ival));
+            }
+            else {
+                item = PyFloat_FromDouble(
+                    alsamixer_getdB(self->pmin, self->pmax, ival));
+            }
             PyList_Append(result, item);
             Py_DECREF(item);
         }
-        else if (pcmtype == SND_PCM_STREAM_CAPTURE
+        else if (dir == SND_PCM_STREAM_CAPTURE
                  && snd_mixer_selem_has_capture_channel(elem, channel)
-                 && snd_mixer_selem_has_capture_volume(elem)) {
+                 && snd_mixer_selem_has_capture_volume(elem))
+        {
             snd_mixer_selem_get_capture_volume(elem, channel, &ival);
-            item = PyLong_FromLong(alsamixer_getpercentage(self->cmin,
+            if (unit == unit_percent) {
-                                                           self->cmax,
+                item = PyFloat_FromDouble(
-                                                           ival));
+                    alsamixer_getpercentage(self->cmin, self->cmax, ival));
+            }
+            else {
+                item = PyFloat_FromDouble(
+                    alsamixer_getdB(self->cmin, self->cmax, ival));
+            }
             PyList_Append(result, item);
             Py_DECREF(item);
         }
@@ -1758,15 +1685,17 @@ alsamixer_getvolume(alsamixer_t *self, PyObject *args)
 }
 
 PyDoc_STRVAR(getvolume_doc,
-"getvolume([pcmtype]) -> List of volume settings (int)\n\
+"getvolume(direction=PCM_PLAYBACK, unit=Percent) -> List of volume settings (float)\n\
 \n\
 Returns a list with the current volume settings for each channel.\n\
-The list elements are integer percentages.\n\
+The list elements are float percentages.\n\
 \n\
-The optional 'pcmtype' argument can be either PCM_PLAYBACK or\n\
+The 'direction' argument can be either PCM_PLAYBACK or\n\
 PCM_CAPTURE, which is relevant if the mixer can control both\n\
 playback and capture volume. The default value is PCM_PLAYBACK\n\
-if the mixer has this capability, otherwise PCM_CAPTURE");
+if the mixer has this capability, otherwise PCM_CAPTURE\
+\n\
+The optional 'unit' argument can be either 'percent' or 'dB'.");
 
 
 static PyObject *
@@ -2092,29 +2021,53 @@ This method will fail if the mixer has no capture switch capabilities.");
 
 
 static PyObject *
-alsamixer_setvolume(alsamixer_t *self, PyObject *args)
+alsamixer_setvolume(alsamixer_t *self, PyObject *args, PyObject *kw)
 {
     snd_mixer_elem_t *elem;
     int i;
-    long volume;
+    double volume = 0.0;
+    PyObject *volumeobj = NULL;
     int physvolume;
-    PyObject *pcmtypeobj = NULL;
+    PyObject *dirobj = NULL;
-    long pcmtype;
+    long dir;
+    int unit = unit_percent; 
     int channel = MIXER_CHANNEL_ALL;
     int done = 0;
 
-    if (!PyArg_ParseTuple(args,"l|iO:setvolume", &volume, &channel,
+    static char *kwlist[] = { "channel", "direction", "unit", NULL };
-                          &pcmtypeobj))
-        return NULL;
     
-    if (volume < 0 || volume > 100)
+    
-    {
+    if (!PyArg_ParseTupleAndKeywords(args, kw, "O|iOi:setvolume", kwlist, &volumeobj, &channel,
-        PyErr_SetString(ALSAAudioError, "Volume must be between 0 and 100");
+                                     &dirobj, &unit)) {
         return NULL;
     }
 
-    pcmtype = get_pcmtype(pcmtypeobj);
+    // unit 
-    if (pcmtype < 0) {
+    if (unit >= unit_last) {
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_ValueError, "unit must be 'percent' or 'dB'");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    if (PyLong_Check(volumeobj)) {
+        volume = (double)PyLong_AsLong(volumeobj);
+    }
+    else if (PyFloat_Check(volumeobj)) {
+        volume = PyFloat_AsDouble(volumeobj);
+    }
+    else {
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_ValueError, "Volume must be integer or float");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+    
+    if (unit == unit_percent && (volume < 0.0 || volume > 100.0))
+    {
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_ValueError, "Volume in percent must be between 0 and 100");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    // pcmtype
+    dir = get_pcmtype(dirobj);
+    if (dir < 0) {
         return NULL;
     }
 
@@ -2126,32 +2079,42 @@ alsamixer_setvolume(alsamixer_t *self, PyObject *args)
     
     elem = alsamixer_find_elem(self->handle,self->controlname,self->controlid);
 
-    if (!pcmtypeobj || (pcmtypeobj == Py_None))
+    if (!dirobj || (dirobj == Py_None))
     {
         if (self->pchannels)
-            pcmtype = SND_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK;
+            dir = SND_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK;
         else
-            pcmtype = SND_PCM_STREAM_CAPTURE;
+            dir = SND_PCM_STREAM_CAPTURE;
     }
 
     for (i = 0; i <= SND_MIXER_SCHN_LAST; i++)
     {
         if (channel == -1 || channel == i)
         {
-            if (pcmtype == SND_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK &&
+            if (dir == SND_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK &&
                 snd_mixer_selem_has_playback_channel(elem, i)) {
+                if (unit == unit_percent) {
                     physvolume = alsamixer_getphysvolume(self->pmin,
                                                          self->pmax, volume);
                     snd_mixer_selem_set_playback_volume(elem, i, physvolume);
+                }
+                else {
+                    snd_mixer_selem_set_playback_dB(elem, i, (long)(volume * 100.0), 0);
+                }
                 done++;
             }
-            else if (pcmtype == SND_PCM_STREAM_CAPTURE
+            else if (dir == SND_PCM_STREAM_CAPTURE
                      && snd_mixer_selem_has_capture_channel(elem, i)
                      && snd_mixer_selem_has_capture_volume(elem))
             {
+                if (unit == unit_percent) {
                     physvolume = alsamixer_getphysvolume(self->cmin, self->cmax,
                                                          volume);
                     snd_mixer_selem_set_capture_volume(elem, i, physvolume);
+                }
+                else {
+                    snd_mixer_selem_set_capture_dB(elem, i, (long)(volume * 100), 0);
+                }
                 done++;
             }
         }
@@ -2169,19 +2132,21 @@ alsamixer_setvolume(alsamixer_t *self, PyObject *args)
 }
 
 PyDoc_STRVAR(setvolume_doc,
-"setvolume(volume[[, channel] [, pcmtype]])\n\
+"setvolume(volume, channel=MIXER_CHANNEL_ALL, direction=PCM_PLAYBACK, unit='percent')\n\
 \n\
 Change the current volume settings for this mixer. The volume argument\n\
-controls the new volume setting as an integer percentage.\n\
+controls the new volume setting as a percentage.\n\
 If the optional argument channel is present, the volume is set only for\n\
 this channel. This assumes that the mixer can control the volume for the\n\
 channels independently.\n\
 \n\
-The optional direction argument can be either PCM_PLAYBACK or PCM_CAPTURE.\n\
+The optional 'direction' argument can be either PCM_PLAYBACK or PCM_CAPTURE.\n\
 It is relevant if the mixer has independent playback and capture volume\n\
 capabilities, and controls which of the volumes will be changed.\n\
-The default is 'playback' if the mixer has this capability, otherwise\n\
+The default is PCM_PLAYBACK if the mixer has this capability, otherwise\n\
-'capture'.");
+PCM_CAPTURE.\n\
+\n\
+The optional 'unit' argument can be either 'percent' (the default) or 'dB'.");
 
 
 static PyObject *
@@ -2192,6 +2157,7 @@ alsamixer_setmute(alsamixer_t *self, PyObject *args)
     int mute = 0;
     int done = 0;
     int channel = MIXER_CHANNEL_ALL;
+    
     if (!PyArg_ParseTuple(args,"i|i:setmute", &mute, &channel))
         return NULL;
 
@@ -2399,13 +2365,13 @@ static PyMethodDef alsamixer_methods[] = {
      switchcap_doc},
     {"volumecap", (PyCFunction)alsamixer_volumecap, METH_VARARGS,
      volumecap_doc},
-    {"getvolume", (PyCFunction)alsamixer_getvolume, METH_VARARGS,
+    {"getvolume", (PyCFunction)alsamixer_getvolume, METH_VARARGS | METH_KEYWORDS,
      getvolume_doc},
     {"getrange", (PyCFunction)alsamixer_getrange, METH_VARARGS, getrange_doc},
     {"getenum", (PyCFunction)alsamixer_getenum, METH_VARARGS, getenum_doc},
     {"getmute", (PyCFunction)alsamixer_getmute, METH_VARARGS, getmute_doc},
     {"getrec", (PyCFunction)alsamixer_getrec, METH_VARARGS, getrec_doc},
-    {"setvolume", (PyCFunction)alsamixer_setvolume, METH_VARARGS,
+    {"setvolume", (PyCFunction)alsamixer_setvolume, METH_VARARGS | METH_KEYWORDS,
      setvolume_doc},
     {"setenum", (PyCFunction)alsamixer_setenum, METH_VARARGS, setenum_doc},
     {"setmute", (PyCFunction)alsamixer_setmute, METH_VARARGS, setmute_doc},
@@ -2555,6 +2521,9 @@ PyObject *PyInit_alsaaudio(void)
     Py_INCREF(ALSAAudioError);
     PyModule_AddObject(m, "ALSAAudioError", ALSAAudioError);
 
+    _EXPORT_INT(m, "Percent", unit_percent);
+    _EXPORT_INT(m, "dB", unit_dB);
+
     _EXPORT_INT(m, "PCM_PLAYBACK",SND_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK);
     _EXPORT_INT(m, "PCM_CAPTURE",SND_PCM_STREAM_CAPTURE);
 

doc/libalsaaudio.rst

@@ -443,31 +443,35 @@ Mixer objects have the following methods:
    This method will fail if the mixer has no capture switch capabilities.
 
 
-.. method:: Mixer.getvolume([direction])
+.. method:: Mixer.getvolume(direction=PCM_PLAYBACK, unit=Percent)
 
    Returns a list with the current volume settings for each channel. The list
-   elements are integer percentages.
+   elements are percentages or dB values, depending on *unit*.
 
-   The optional *direction* argument can be either :const:`PCM_PLAYBACK` or
+   The *direction* argument can be either :const:`PCM_PLAYBACK` or
    :const:`PCM_CAPTURE`, which is relevant if the mixer can control both
    playback and capture volume. The default value is :const:`PCM_PLAYBACK`
    if the mixer has playback channels, otherwise it is :const:`PCM_CAPTURE`.
 
 
-.. method:: Mixer.setvolume(volume, [channel], [direction])
+.. method:: Mixer.setvolume(volume, channel=MIXER_CHANNEL_ALL, direction=PCM_PLAYBACK, unit=Percent)
 
    Change the current volume settings for this mixer. The *volume* argument
-   controls the new volume setting as an integer percentage.
+   controls the new volume setting as either a percentage or a dB value. Both
+   integer and floating point values can be given.
 
-   If the optional argument *channel* is present, the volume is set
+   The *channel* argument can be used to restrict the channels for which the volume is
-   only for this channel. This assumes that the mixer can control the
+   set. By default, the volume of all channels is adjusted. This assumes that the mixer
-   volume for the channels independently.
+   can control the volume for the channels independently.
 
-   The optional *direction* argument can be either :const:`PCM_PLAYBACK` or
+   The *direction* argument can be either :const:`PCM_PLAYBACK` or
    :const:`PCM_CAPTURE`, which is relevant if the mixer can control both
    playback and capture volume. The default value is :const:`PCM_PLAYBACK`
    if the mixer has playback channels, otherwise it is :const:`PCM_CAPTURE`.
 
+   The *unit* argument determines how the volume value is interpreted, as a prcentage
+   or as a dB value.
+   
 .. method:: Mixer.setmute(mute, [channel])
 
    Sets the mute flag to a new value. The *mute* argument is either 0 for not

doc/pyalsaaudio.rst

@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ development at the time - and neither are very feature complete.
 I wrote PyAlsaAudio to fill this gap. My long term goal is to have the module
 included in the standard Python library, but that looks currently unlikely.
 
-PyAlsaAudio has full support for sound capture, playback of sound, as well as
+PyAlsaAudio hass full support for sound capture, playback of sound, as well as
 the ALSA Mixer API.
 
 MIDI support is not available, and since I don't own any MIDI hardware, it's

mixertest.py

@@ -46,13 +46,17 @@ def show_mixer(name, kwargs):
     print("Capabilities: %s %s" % (' '.join(mixer.volumecap()),
                                    ' '.join(mixer.switchcap())))
     volumes = mixer.getvolume()
-    for i in range(len(volumes)):
+    for i, v in enumerate(volumes):
-        print("Channel %i volume: %i%%" % (i,volumes[i]))
+        print("Channel %i volume: %.02f%%" % (i, v))
+
+    volumes = mixer.getvolume(unit=alsaaudio.dB)
+    for i, v in enumerate(volumes):
+        print("Channel %i volume: %.02fdB" % (i, v))
 
     try:
         mutes = mixer.getmute()
-        for i in range(len(mutes)):
+        for i, m in enumerate(mutes):
-            if mutes[i]:
+            if m:
                 print("Channel %i is muted" % i)
     except alsaaudio.ALSAAudioError:
         # May not support muting
@@ -60,8 +64,8 @@ def show_mixer(name, kwargs):
 
     try:
         recs = mixer.getrec()
-        for i in range(len(recs)):
+        for i, r in enumerate(recs):
-            if recs[i]:
+            if r:
                 print("Channel %i is recording" % i)
     except alsaaudio.ALSAAudioError:
         # May not support recording

playwav.py

@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ def play(device, f):
     else:
         raise ValueError('Unsupported format')
 
-    periodsize = f.getframerate() // 8
+    periodsize = f.getframerate() / 8
 
     device.setperiodsize(periodsize)
     

setup.py

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from setuptools import setup
 from setuptools.extension import Extension
 from sys import version
 
-pyalsa_version = '0.8.6'
+pyalsa_version = '0.8.4'
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     setup(