audio distortion due to gate and system upgrade

[atomGit]

i just upgraded Manjaro (stable, 6.0.8-1 kernel) and noticed significant distortion in audio played with Firefox (youtube, etc.) and uncontrollable volume that jumps instantly from very quiet to very loud in local files played with Audacious when ever i try to adjust the volume

i narrowed down the problem to the gate component, but ultimately something that got upgraded seems to be the root problem - in every case, disabling the gate resolves the issue

here's the relevant changes i was able to find...

upgraded pipewire-zeroconf (1:0.3.59-2 -> 1:0.3.59-5)
upgraded pipewire-pulse (1:0.3.59-2 -> 1:0.3.59-5)
upgraded pipewire-alsa (1:0.3.59-2 -> 1:0.3.59-5)
upgraded kpipewire (5.26.2-1 -> 5.26.3-1)
upgraded gst-plugin-pipewire (1:0.3.59-2 -> 1:0.3.59-5)
upgraded pipewire-jack (1:0.3.59-2 -> 1:0.3.59-5)
upgraded pipewire-audio (1:0.3.59-2 -> 1:0.3.59-5)
upgraded pipewire (1:0.3.59-2 -> 1:0.3.59-5)
upgraded easyeffects (6.3.0-1 -> 7.0.0-1)

[Digitalone1]

Hello, I just tried on my system and cannot reproduce the issue.

Can you please copy and paste here the preset file you are using? It should be located in ~/.config/easyeffects/output/

[atomGit]

i haven't changed anything in it i don't believe

LoudnessEqualizer.json

{
    "output": {
        "blocklist": [],
        "compressor": {
            "attack": 130.0,
            "boost-amount": 6.0,
            "boost-threshold": -60.0,
            "bypass": false,
            "dry": -100.0,
            "hpf-frequency": 10.0,
            "hpf-mode": "off",
            "input-gain": 0.0,
            "knee": -23.9,
            "lpf-frequency": 20000.0,
            "lpf-mode": "off",
            "makeup": 0.0,
            "mode": "Upward",
            "output-gain": 0.0,
            "ratio": 5.0,
            "release": 600.0,
            "release-threshold": -100.0,
            "sidechain": {
                "lookahead": 0.0,
                "mode": "RMS",
                "preamp": 0.0,
                "reactivity": 10.0,
                "source": "Middle",
                "type": "Feed-forward"
            },
            "threshold": -10.0,
            "wet": 0.0
        },
        "equalizer": {
            "balance": 0.0,
            "bypass": false,
            "input-gain": 0.0,
            "left": {
                "band0": {
                    "frequency": 32.0,
                    "gain": 3.5,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band1": {
                    "frequency": 64.0,
                    "gain": 2.0,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band2": {
                    "frequency": 128.0,
                    "gain": 1.0,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band3": {
                    "frequency": 256.0,
                    "gain": 0.0,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band4": {
                    "frequency": 512.0,
                    "gain": -0.5,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band5": {
                    "frequency": 1024.0,
                    "gain": -1.5,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band6": {
                    "frequency": 2048.0,
                    "gain": -0.25,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band7": {
                    "frequency": 4096.0,
                    "gain": 1.25,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band8": {
                    "frequency": 8192.0,
                    "gain": 2.75,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band9": {
                    "frequency": 16384.0,
                    "gain": 3.0,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                }
            },
            "mode": "IIR",
            "num-bands": 10,
            "output-gain": 0.0,
            "pitch-left": 0.0,
            "pitch-right": 0.0,
            "right": {
                "band0": {
                    "frequency": 32.0,
                    "gain": 3.5,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band1": {
                    "frequency": 64.0,
                    "gain": 2.0,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band2": {
                    "frequency": 128.0,
                    "gain": 1.0,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band3": {
                    "frequency": 256.0,
                    "gain": 0.0,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band4": {
                    "frequency": 512.0,
                    "gain": -0.5,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band5": {
                    "frequency": 1024.0,
                    "gain": -1.5,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band6": {
                    "frequency": 2048.0,
                    "gain": -0.25,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band7": {
                    "frequency": 4096.0,
                    "gain": 1.25,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band8": {
                    "frequency": 8192.0,
                    "gain": 2.75,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                },
                "band9": {
                    "frequency": 16384.0,
                    "gain": 3.0,
                    "mode": "RLC (BT)",
                    "mute": false,
                    "q": 1.6,
                    "slope": "x1",
                    "solo": false,
                    "type": "Bell"
                }
            },
            "split-channels": false
        },
        "gate": {
            "attack": 2000.0,
            "bypass": false,
            "curve-threshold": -40.0,
            "curve-zone": -40.0,
            "dry": -100.0,
            "hpf-frequency": 10.0,
            "hpf-mode": "off",
            "hysteresis": false,
            "hysteresis-threshold": -12.0,
            "hysteresis-zone": -6.0,
            "input-gain": 0.0,
            "lpf-frequency": 20000.0,
            "lpf-mode": "off",
            "makeup": 0.0,
            "output-gain": 0.0,
            "reduction": -30.0,
            "release": 2000.0,
            "sidechain": {
                "input": "Internal",
                "lookahead": 0.0,
                "mode": "Peak",
                "preamp": 0.0,
                "reactivity": 10.0,
                "source": "Middle"
            },
            "wet": 0.0
        },
        "limiter": {
            "alr": false,
            "attack": 5.0,
            "bypass": false,
            "dithering": "None",
            "external-sidechain": false,
            "gain-boost": false,
            "input-gain": 0.0,
            "lookahead": 5.0,
            "mode": "Herm Thin",
            "output-gain": 0.0,
            "oversampling": "Half x4(3L)",
            "release": 10.0,
            "sidechain-preamp": 0.0,
            "stereo-link": 100.0,
            "threshold": -1.0
        },
        "multiband_compressor": {
            "band0": {
                "attack-threshold": -30.0,
                "attack-time": 50.0,
                "boost-amount": 6.0,
                "boost-threshold": -72.0,
                "compression-mode": "Downward",
                "compressor-enable": true,
                "external-sidechain": false,
                "knee": -24.0,
                "makeup": 0.0,
                "mute": false,
                "ratio": 1.7,
                "release-threshold": -100.0,
                "release-time": 600.0,
                "sidechain-custom-highcut-filter": false,
                "sidechain-custom-lowcut-filter": false,
                "sidechain-highcut-frequency": 250.0,
                "sidechain-lookahead": 0.0,
                "sidechain-lowcut-frequency": 10.0,
                "sidechain-mode": "RMS",
                "sidechain-preamp": 0.0,
                "sidechain-reactivity": 10.0,
                "sidechain-source": "Middle",
                "solo": false
            },
            "band1": {
                "attack-threshold": -30.0,
                "attack-time": 30.0,
                "boost-amount": 6.0,
                "boost-threshold": -72.0,
                "compression-mode": "Downward",
                "compressor-enable": true,
                "enable-band": true,
                "external-sidechain": false,
                "knee": -24.0,
                "makeup": 0.0,
                "mute": false,
                "ratio": 1.7,
                "release-threshold": -100.0,
                "release-time": 450.0,
                "sidechain-custom-highcut-filter": false,
                "sidechain-custom-lowcut-filter": false,
                "sidechain-highcut-frequency": 1250.0,
                "sidechain-lookahead": 0.0,
                "sidechain-lowcut-frequency": 250.0,
                "sidechain-mode": "RMS",
                "sidechain-preamp": 0.0,
                "sidechain-reactivity": 10.0,
                "sidechain-source": "Middle",
                "solo": false,
                "split-frequency": 250.0
            },
            "band2": {
                "attack-threshold": -30.0,
                "attack-time": 10.0,
                "boost-amount": 6.0,
                "boost-threshold": -72.0,
                "compression-mode": "Downward",
                "compressor-enable": true,
                "enable-band": true,
                "external-sidechain": false,
                "knee": -24.0,
                "makeup": 0.0,
                "mute": false,
                "ratio": 1.7,
                "release-threshold": -100.0,
                "release-time": 250.0,
                "sidechain-custom-highcut-filter": false,
                "sidechain-custom-lowcut-filter": false,
                "sidechain-highcut-frequency": 5000.0,
                "sidechain-lookahead": 0.0,
                "sidechain-lowcut-frequency": 1250.0,
                "sidechain-mode": "RMS",
                "sidechain-preamp": 0.0,
                "sidechain-reactivity": 10.0,
                "sidechain-source": "Middle",
                "solo": false,
                "split-frequency": 1250.0
            },
            "band3": {
                "attack-threshold": -30.0,
                "attack-time": 5.0,
                "boost-amount": 6.0,
                "boost-threshold": -72.0,
                "compression-mode": "Downward",
                "compressor-enable": true,
                "enable-band": true,
                "external-sidechain": false,
                "knee": -24.0,
                "makeup": 0.0,
                "mute": false,
                "ratio": 1.7,
                "release-threshold": -100.0,
                "release-time": 100.0,
                "sidechain-custom-highcut-filter": false,
                "sidechain-custom-lowcut-filter": false,
                "sidechain-highcut-frequency": 20000.0,
                "sidechain-lookahead": 0.0,
                "sidechain-lowcut-frequency": 5000.0,
                "sidechain-mode": "RMS",
                "sidechain-preamp": 0.0,
                "sidechain-reactivity": 10.0,
                "sidechain-source": "Middle",
                "solo": false,
                "split-frequency": 5000.0
            },
            "band4": {
                "enable-band": false
            },
            "band5": {
                "enable-band": false
            },
            "band6": {
                "enable-band": false
            },
            "band7": {
                "enable-band": false
            },
            "bypass": false,
            "compressor-mode": "Modern",
            "dry": -100.0,
            "envelope-boost": "None",
            "input-gain": 0.0,
            "output-gain": 0.0,
            "wet": 0.0
        },
        "plugins_order": [
            "gate",
            "compressor",
            "multiband_compressor",
            "equalizer",
            "limiter"
        ]
    }
}

[atomGit]

i was trying to avoid this, but if you're not aware of anything obvious then i could individually downgrade each package and maybe find which has caused the issue

[Digitalone1]

The preset seems okay. Since this is affecting the Gate only, I'm pretty sure it's related to LSP package on Manjaro.

On Arch we have versione 1.2.3. Don't know if it's the same on Manjaro.

[atomGit]

lsp-plugins is at 1.2.3-1 on Manjaro

[Digitalone1]

It's weird, can you post a screenshot of the Gate when it's doing the distortion? (Mute the speakers meanwhile)

[atomGit]

i can, but looking at it i think a description might be better???

using this as a reference, the gating progress bar tends to sit at 0 until there's a quite point in the audio (roughly every second), then it rapidly spikes to 100% (-24db) at which time the audio pretty much can't be heard - this happens roughly once/sec. for this particular audio sample

the other thing i've noticed since the system update is, for on-line videos anyway, once in a while the audio will not play at all until the video is stopped and started again - this also seems to be resolved by disabling the gate

[atomGit]

found this while poking around, but i believe it's all defaults...

lsp-plugins.cfg

#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# This file contains global configuration of plugins.
# 
# (C) Linux Studio Plugins Project 
#   http://lsp-plug.in/ 
# 
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

# Visibility of mount studs in the UI [boolean]: true/false
mount_stud = true

# Last version of the product installed [pathname]
last_version = "1.1.30"

# Dialog path for selecting sample files [pathname]
dlg_sample_path = ""

# Dialog path for selecting impulse response files [pathname]
dlg_ir_path = ""

# Dialog path for saving/loading configuration files [pathname]
dlg_config_path = ""

# Dialog path for importing REW settings files [pathname]
dlg_rew_path = ""

# Dialog path for importing Hydrogen drumkit files [pathname]
dlg_hydrogen_path = ""

# Dialog for saving/loading 3D model files [pathname]
dlg_model3d_path = ""

# Dialog default path for other files [pathname]
dlg_default_path = ""

# Identifier of selected backend for 3D rendering [pathname]
r3d_backend = ""

# Selected language identifier for the UI interface [pathname]
language = ""

# Use relative paths when exporting configuration file [boolean]: true/false
use_relative_paths = false

#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think i'm having the same issue, occasionally. Force stopping easyeffect then restarting again fixes the issue, until it'll occur again randomly.
Sadly I just don't know how to reproduce, it seems to be too random. Maybe it's easyeffect's issue?

EasyEffect: 7.0.0 (Flathub)
OS: Fedora 36
pipewire-0.3.59-4.fc36.x86_64
wireplumber-0.4.12-1.fc36.x86_64
pipewire-pulseaudio-0.3.59-4.fc36.x86_64

[atomGit]

i'm also wondering about easy - i'm also on v7.0.0, but the arch repo package

i just noticed after a reboot that, while my volume settings didn't change, the output volume did (noticeably louder) - once i adjusted the slider the volume jumped back to normal and all was ok again

i disabled easy starting at boot, rebooted and the problem didn't reoccur

[atomGit]

@thjderjktyrjkt - curious, what version of alsa-ucm-conf are you on?

i'm on 1.2.7.1 (i've avoided upgrading because there's a bug that messes with my audio interface)

I don't think I have this package? Perhaps the different way Fedora packages than Manjaro.

These are the packages containing alsa word:
alsa-ucm-1.2.8-1.fc36.noarch
alsa-utils-1.2.8-1.fc36.x86_64
pipewire-alsa-0.3.59-4.fc36.x86_64

[atomGit]

looks like your alsa-ucm package might be the same as alsa-ucm-conf on arch/manjaro, especially given the version because 1.2.8 is the newest

anyway, if that's true, that may rule out a problem with my version of alsa-ucm-conf

[Digitalone1]

Sorry for the late response, I'm pretty busy in these days.

So, this is apparently not an issue with the preset, right? The fact is that I cannot reproduce it on my system. So I think it depends on the hardware. Of maybe configuration of alsa/pipewire on a specific system.

Regarding the behavior of the Gate, I adjusted the preset porting the old one from CALF to the new LSP which was introduced in the last summer in EE. So comparing with different Gates on different systems and plugins does not make sense.

I don't hear jumps in volume from the Gate. The configuration of the LSP version has been made to avoid this. So if it's occurring some weird stuff, it's not related to the preset, but could be some issue in LSP or Pipewire.