Using audacity with a bluetooth headset in Ubuntu

You can use your bluetooth headset as the recording device along with audacity.

Part -1 Install audacity:

# apt-get install audacity

Part -2 Install btsco

1. Load Kernel Module for btsco:

sudo modprobe btsco

check via

dmesg

if it runs. To load it permanently add it to /etc/modules, just write "btsco" at the end of the File. 

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2. Install the following missing (at least on my system) packages needed by the btsco Userspace driver. Easy, because you have apt-get or synaptic:

• gcc.

• gcc-4.0.

• altgcc.

• libc6-dev.

• linux-kernel-headers.

• libasound2-dev.

• libao-dev.

• libbluetooth1-dev.

3. Download latest btsco from http://sourceforge.net/projects/bluetooth-alsa/, unzip to Desktop perhaps.

4. Time for the shell!

        cd btsco-0.4
       ./configure
       make
       sudo make install

5. Now pair your Headset with your PC (as above with the Mobile):

• Headset needs to be in pairing-mode (often this is accomplished with holding the on buttons for a looong time).

• start kbluetoothd, click on it, in the opened konqueror window click on the headset (sometimes the MAC-Adress shows up).

• a popup should request the PIN for the Headset from you (mostly "0000" or "1234").

6. Start the btsco Userspace Program:

btsco -v 00:00:00:00:00

replace the zeros with the MAC Adress of your Headset (right click on kbluetoothd icon, connection details).

7. Verify its working

Verify its working:

•  aplay -B 1000000 -D plughw:Headset sound.wav
  

  (replace sound.wav with a Wave-File of your choice. An MP3 also works, but you will only hear strange noise :).

• Use XMMS: Options -> Preferences -> Audio I/O -> Output Plugin. Select ALSA -> configure, and select your Headset as Audiodevice. Restart XMMS and you should hear the music with the Headset.

• You can use the Volume Manager from gnome to adjust the volume, right click on the speaker in the tray -> Settings -> File -> Change Device.

Everyday Use: If you load the Kernelmodule automatically, you just need to execute "btsco -v your_headsets_mac_adress" - really easy for everyday use. You can optional start kbluetoothd to check Signalstreght etc.

(Refer this page for more help with this section)



Part -3 : Configure Audacity

Fire up audacity, click File >> Preferences >> Set your Recording Device as /dev/dsp1

You're all set at this time..!!