Recommendation for 2-Ch Audio Subsystem

[andyolivares]

I need to add an audio subsystem to my custom OSD335x-SM board. I need to be able to play different audio streams on two different stereo channels.

I’ve looked at the McASP module present on the chip, but I really have no clue on what IC to interface to and whether or not it will have good support on Linux, specially if I need two channels. When I say two channels I don’t really know if I need two separate audio cards present on the system or if I just need one audio card with multiple channel support. In the later case, I don’t know if I will really have the ability to play different streams on each channel.

Also, I’ve thought on using USB audio cards (like C-Media chipsets) that seem to have good support on Linux. Essentially, use two C-Media chips that will be recongnized as two different USB audio cards.

Do you have any recommendation on how should I proceed? I like the idea of using the internal McASP peripheral (if I get to know how to interface it), but also I need to have a working prototype ASAP, so USB seems like the way to go for now.

Thank you in advance.

[Neeraj Dantu]

Hey Andy,

The McASP subsystem supports multiple channel outputs and is able to interface with different kinds of audio codecs. Please see(TI BSP): http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/AM335x_Audio_Driver%27s_Guide. TI has several audio codecs that can work: http://www.ti.com/audio-ic/converters/codec/products.html#p1339=2;2.

Also take a look at BELA: https://github.com/BelaPlatform/Bela/wiki. It is a platform designed to be used for audio applications.

We have used USB audio cards in our projects before. They are a good way to go and definitely requiring the least amount of effort. The ALSA subsystem will be able to maintain route multiple audio channels for you. Couple of resources you could look at:

https://www.alsa-project.org/main/index.php/Documentation

https://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/pdf/Alsa-sound.pdf

Best,

Neeraj

 

[andyolivares]

Hey Neeraj, thank you for the info! Can you share what specific USB audio IC did you use in your project?

Thanks again.

[Neeraj Dantu]

The name of the product is: Sabrent USB-SBCV USB 2.0 Sound Card – Stereo

Here is a link to the project: https://beagleboard.org/p/beaglefriends-octavosystems/adding-text-to-speech-to-pocketbeagle-projects-3ab078

Best,

Neeraj

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