This is still a problem in Ubuntu 14.04 (and I'm sure in 14.10 as well). Your suggested change is noted in the Arch Wiki:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/PulseAudio#libao Of course, I had to put a comment ('#') in my config, which helpfully is broken: https://trac.xiph.org/ticket/1971 ** Bug watch added: Xiph.org Trac #1971 http://trac.xiph.org/ticket/1971 -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Desktop Packages, which is subscribed to libao in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1075479 Title: libao defaults to ALSA output, should probably use Pulseaudio Status in libao package in Ubuntu: Confirmed Bug description: When playing sound from an application that uses libao on Ubuntu 12.04 (for example, pianobar), it blocks any other sound-playing application from playing audio (for example, Firefox on YouTube). A little digging showed that /etc/libao.conf sets default_driver=alsa, changing this to default_driver=pulse makes simultaneous audio from multiple programs work perfectly. 1) Ubuntu 12.04 2) libao-common 1.1.0-1ubuntu2 3) Expected audio to play from several apps simultaneously 4) Apps using libao block the sound card so that no one else can play sound To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libao/+bug/1075479/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages Post to : [email protected] Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
