How to Enable Multiple Simultaneous Audio Outputs on Pulseaudio in Linux

Pulseaudio has a ton of features, most of which you’ll probably never use, but if you do need the ability to play audio through multiple output devices at once, you’re in luck. That happens to be one of Pulse’s lesser known capabilities, and it even works with Bluetooth.

In this tutorial you will learn:

  • How to Install Paprefs
  • How to Enable Simultaneous Output
  • How to Use Simultaneous Output

Pulseaudio in Linux.

Pulseaudio Simultaneous Outputs.

Software Requirements and Conventions Used

Software Requirements and Linux Command Line Conventions
Category Requirements, Conventions or Software Version Used
System Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, OpenSUSE, and Arch Linux
Software Pulseaudio
Other Privileged access to your Linux system as root or via the sudo command.
Conventions # – requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command
$ – requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user

Installing Paprefs



You won’t find the ability to enable simultaneous output in the default Pulseaudio sound controls for any desktop environment. After all, the setting is fairly obscure. So, if you want a graphical control to enable it, you’ll need to install the paprefs package to gain access to additional Pulseaudio controls.

Ubuntu/Debian/Mint

$ sudo apt install paprefs

Fedora

$ sudo dnf install paprefs

OpenSUSE

$ sudo zypper install paprefs

Arch Linux/Manjaro

$ sudo pacman -S paprefs

Enabling Simultaneous Output



paprefs is kind of a strange application. Most graphical desktops won’t add it to their menu. You can add it yourself, if you choose, but since you probably won’t use it often, it’s most convenient to just launch it from the command line.

$ paprefs
Paprefs

Paprefs.

The new preferences window will open up with a series of tabs across the top. Choose the Simultaneous Output tab.

Pulseaudio Simultaneous Outputs

Pulseaudio Simultaneous Outputs.

There will only be one item there, Add virtual output device…. Check the box. From there, you can press Close to edit paprefs.

Next, you should make sure that Pulseaudio is honoring the new setting. The best way to do this is by restarting it. Kill the currently running instance.

$ pulseaudio -k

Depending on your distribution and configuration, Pulse may automatically respawn. If not, you’ll need to restart the daemon. Unless you know which one you’re working with, try restarting it, and if it fails, you can be fairly certain that it already restarted.

$ pulseaudio -D

Using Simultaneous Output



From here, you can choose your new virtual simultaneous output device. It will be listed among your regular output devices in your sound settings. Go ahead and open them. On GNOME and Plasma, you can find your sound settings in the general Settings application. Other desktops will probably have either a Sound Preferences app of some sort.

Pulseaudio Output Selection

Pulseaudio Output Selection.

In either case, locate the Output tab. There, you’ll see see the list of available output devices. Choose Simultaneous output to….

Conclusion

That’s all there is to it. You can easily switch back and forth between this simultaneous output and your other output devices. It will remain available on your system as long as the preference is enbled in paprefs.



Comments and Discussions
Linux Forum