pacmixer is an interactive PulseAudio mixer that takes inspiration from alsamixer, but provides controls for PulseAudio devices and application streams. It offers a terminal interface for adjusting volumes, muting audio and managing device settings.
The application has views for playback, recording, outputs, inputs and configuration. It also distinguishes between three operating modes. Outside mode handles the main controls, Inside mode allows individual audio channels to be adjusted, and Settings mode is used to change options such as ports and device profiles.
pacmixer supports configurable keyboard navigation, including shortcuts for changing volume, muting streams and selecting the default device. The interface can display all controls together or restrict the view to particular categories.
Its settings are stored in a TOML configuration file, which is created with default values on first launch. The project uses Objective-C and the GNUstep Base library, together with ncurses and libpulse.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Interactive terminal mixer for PulseAudio devices and application streams.
- Provides playback, recording, output, input and settings views.
- Supports separate Outside, Inside and Settings operating modes.
- Adjust individual audio channels or change complete stream volumes.
- Mute or unmute audio streams and select default devices.
- Change sound card profiles and device ports.
- Offers configurable volume adjustment steps and keyboard shortcuts.
- Supports filtering of monitor and internal PulseAudio controls.
- Stores user preferences in an XDG-compatible TOML configuration file.
Website: github.com/KenjiTakahashi/pacmixer
Support:
Developer: Karol Woźniak
License: GNU General Public License v3.0

pacmixer is written in C++ and C. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Terminal-Based Audio Mixers | |
|---|---|
| wiremix | Simple TUI audio mixer fort Pipewire |
| pamixer | PulseAudio command line mixer |
| pulsemixer | CLI and curses mixer for PulseAudio |
| ncpamixer | ncurses mixer for PulseAudio inspired by pavucontrol |
| PAmix | ncurses/curses PulseAudio mixer written in C |
| pacmixer | PulseAudio tool similar to alsamixer |
| RsMixer | PulseAudio volume mixer |
| alsamixer | Terminal-based mixer for the ALSA sound system |
| pipemixer | TUI volume control software for pipewire |
| JackMiniMix | Simple mixer for the Jack Audio Connection Kit |
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