RetroPie/Raspberry Pi: How to Configure a USB Sound Device

Step 1

Plug in your usb sound adapter/device into the Raspberry Pi’s usb port and let’s make sure it’s detected. Enter the following command.

pi@retropie:~ $ lsusb

You should get something like

Bus 001 Device 005: ID 0079:0011 DragonRise Inc. Gamepad
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 7392:7711 Edimax Technology Co., Ltd EW-7711UTn nLite Wireless Adapter [Ralink RT2870]
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 08bb:2704 Texas Instruments Audio Codec
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 1a40:0101 Terminus Technology Inc. 4-Port HUB
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
pi@retropie:~ $

Mine is detected as “Bus 001 Device 003: ID 08bb:2704 Texas Instruments Audio Codec“.

Step 2

Type and enter the following command to check the list of sound device being used by the system and take note of the order number.

pi@retropie:~ $ cat /proc/asound/modules

You should get something like

0 snd_bcm2835
1 snd_usb_audio
pi@retropie:~ $

My usb sound adapter is on order number 1.

Step 3

Let’s change the default sound to “1 snd_usb_audio” by editing

pi@retropie:~ $ sudo nano /etc/asound.conf

Paste the following

pcm.!default {
type hw
card 1
}
ctl.!default {
type hw
card 1
}

Reboot and it should use the usb sound as the default.

Sound Test

Enter the following command to test the left and right audio channel:

speaker-test -c2 -twav -l7

You should hear a sound coming from the left and right channel.

=> Pinout Diagrams for the PCM2704 and 3D Sound(COB) USB Sound Card Adapters.

You can also use another method at RetroPie: Configure USB Audio As Primary Sound Device.