pw-loopback

Create virtual loopback audio devices

TLDR

Create a loopback device with default behavior

$ pw-loopback

Create a loopback device that automatically connects to the speakers

$ pw-loopback -m '[FL FR]' -i 'media.class=Audio/Sink'

Create a loopback device that automatically connects to the microphone

$ pw-loopback -m '[FL FR]' -o 'media.class=Audio/Source'

Create a dummy loopback device that doesn't automatically connect

$ pw-loopback -m '[FL FR]' -i 'media.class=Audio/Sink' -o 'media.class=Audio/Source'

Create a loopback that swaps left and right channels to speakers

$ pw-loopback -i 'media.class=Audio/Sink audio.position=[FL FR]' -o 'audio.position=[FR FL]'

pw-loopback creates virtual loopback audio devices in PipeWire. Loopback devices capture audio from one source and play it back to another destination, enabling audio routing between applications or devices.The tool can create sink devices (for capturing audio output), source devices (for providing audio input), or combined loopback configurations for audio monitoring and routing.

PARAMETERS

-m, --channel-map map

Set the channel map for the loopback

-i, --capture-props props

Set properties for the capture side (sink)

-o, --playback-props props

Set properties for the playback side (source)

-h, --help

Display help message

INSTALL

sudo apt install pipewire-bin

sudo apk add pipewire-tools

sudo zypper install pipewire-tools

CAVEATS

Channel mapping and media class properties must be specified correctly for proper automatic connection behavior. Incorrect configuration may result in audio routing issues or silent devices.

HISTORY

Part of PipeWire, the modern multimedia framework for Linux. Provides flexible audio routing capabilities similar to PulseAudio's module-loopback but with PipeWire's graph-based architecture.