This guide explains how soundcard drivers work, some common
sources for them (using the kernel’s built-in drivers, ALSA, or
4Front’s OSS), and where Linux soundcard development is headed in
the future.
“Linux applications depend on drivers to enable
communications between an application and a hardware device such as
a printer, CD-ROM drive, or soundcard. A working Linux sound system
can be thought of as a sandwich, with application software as the
top slice of bread and sound hardware (soundcard and speakers) as
the bottom slice. Sandwiched in the middle is the meat (at least,
the meat of this article) — the audio device control software or
soundcard device driver.…Since drivers are hardware-specific, it should come as no
surprise that one of the most frequently asked questions in Linux
discussion groups is “Where can I find a driver for my [insert card
name here] soundcard ?!”. This article will help answer that
question and others regarding the somewhat obscure world of Linux
audio device drivers.”