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⁠2.3.3. Integrate PulseAudio with JACK

By default, PulseAudio yields control of your computer's audio and MIDI interfaces to JACK when the JACK server starts. PulseAudio will not receive input or send output on an audio interface that JACK is using. You may want to use JACK and PulseAudio at the same time, or switch between them frequently. Follow these instructions to configure PulseAudio so its input and output is routed through JACK, so you can use both sound servers at the same time.
  1. Use PackageKit or Apper to install the pulseaudio-module-jack package.
  2. Edit the PulseAudio configuration file to use the JACK module.

    Use Your Text Editor with Caution

    Follow these steps carefully. We recommend you make a back-up copy of this file, since a mistake may prevent your computer's audio interface from working properly.
    1. Use a text editor to open /etc/pulse/default.pa with superuser privileges. For example, run this command in a terminal window: su -c 'nano /etc/pulse/default.pa'
    2. Add this text, under the line with #load-module module-alsa-sink: 
      load-module module-jack-sink
load-module module-jack-source
  3. Run this command in a terminal to restart PulseAudio: killall pulseaudio PulseAudio restarts automatically.
  4. Open QjackCtl. The display should state that JACK is "Active."
  5. Open the "Connect" window. On the "Audio" tab, there are PulseAudio devices on each side. Ensure the PulseAudio devices are connected to "system" devices on opposite sides.
  6. Open the QjackCtl "Setup" window, then choose the "Options" tab. Uncheck this option: "Execute script after Shutdown: killall jackd." If you do not make this change, QjackCtl wwill stop the JACK server every time the program quits, even though PulseAudio is still using it.
  7. When PulseAudio starts JACK, it uses the command found in the ~/.jackdrc file. QjackCtl automatically updates this file when you change settings, but you may have to restart both PulseAudio and JACK for new changes to take effect. You may also edit that file yourself.