OpenSuSE 11.2 and Skype - Microphone setup

After the installation of SuSE 11.2 skype was also upgraded to a new beta version (version 2.1.0.47 for linux). However there was a sound problem as the microphone did not work. Pulseaudio did not seem to be installed by default. Anyway, a message in the skype blog explains that if no pulseaudio is available, skype uses alsa. So, the mic should work with or without pulseaudio.

Solution: the reason why the microphone does not work is related only to the default mixer setup in OpenSuSE 11.2, and not with pulseaudio, alsa or skype.

The microphone setup

By default the microphone is muted and is not present in the mixer window. To view the microphone status, configure the channels in the mixer window menu:

Select the microphone and maybe the Mic Boost (in case the level from your microphone is very low).

The mixer now shows the new entries and you only need to de-select the mute radio button of the microphone and choose the right one in case you have several.

Fur useful information on setting the microphone see here.

Conclusion

The Microphone works with skype both after installing pulseaudio (strange glitchy recorded sound) or using alsa (after unistalling pulseaudio again). It works in both cases!