With the stock kernel, 2.6.29.6, I had to install the latest alsa drivers from: http://www.alsa-project.org/ and still, I had sound only from the right channel. This may have been my fault I added the following line to /etc/modprobe.d/sound:
options snd_hda_intel model=mbp3
Anyway, I decided to upgrade the kernel to 2.6.34 and found that its drivers supported the MacBook’s sound device: HDA NVidia, ALC889A. Once I removed the line above from /etc/modprobe.d/sound, audio works really well!
I have tried it with the built-in speakers and with headphones. Changing the Channel Mode from 2 to 6 doesn’t seem to have any effect on the analog outputs.
For good form, I created the file ~/.asoundrc containing:
pcm.card0 {
type hw
card 0
}
ctl.card0 {
type hw
card 0
}
My guess is that Channel Mode works on the digital output.
Anyway, the MacBook and I are happy with Slackware64!
Peace!
Stu…