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Pipewire and EasyEffects Laptop Sound Utility Installation

Overview

This guide covers installing PipeWire audio server and Easy Effects on Linux Mint 22.2, replacing PulseAudio with the modern PipeWire stack.

Prerequisites

  • Linux Mint 22.2 (or similar Ubuntu-based distribution)
  • Timeshift backup created before proceeding
  • Terminal access with sudo privileges

Step 1: Check Current Audio Server

First, verify which audio server is currently running: 

inxi -A

If you see PulseAudio listed, you'll need to switch to PipeWire. If you already see PipeWire, skip to Step 4.

Step 2: Update System

Ensure your system is fully updated: 

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 3: Install PipeWire

Install the complete PipeWire stack: 

sudo apt install pipewire pipewire-pulse wireplumber pipewire-alsa

This will: - Remove PulseAudio packages - Install PipeWire core components - Install PulseAudio compatibility layer (pipewire-pulse) - Install wire plumber (session manager) - Install ALSA compatibility

Step 4: Enable PipeWire Services

Enable and start the PipeWire services: 

systemctl --user --now enable pipewire pipewire-pulse wireplumber

Verify PipeWire is running: 

inxi -A

You should now see Server-1: PipeWire v: 1.0.5 status: active

Step 5: Install Bluetooth Audio Support

Install the PipeWire Bluetooth module: 

sudo apt install libspa-0.2-bluetooth

Restart PipeWire services to load the Bluetooth module: 

systemctl --user restart pipewire pipewire-pulse wireplumber

Step 6: Fix Flatpak Application Audio Access

If you use Flatpak applications (like Brave browser), restart the desktop portal service: 

systemctl --user restart xdg-desktop-portal

Important: After restarting the portal, completely close and reopen any Flatpak applications for them to detect the audio devices.

Step 7: Test Audio

Test all audio devices: - Laptop speakers - Microphone - Bluetooth devices (speakers, earbuds, hearing aids)

Verify microphone detection: 

pactl list sources short

You should see your audio input devices listed.

Step 8: Install Easy Effects

Install Easy Effects audio processing application: 

sudo apt install easyeffects

Launch Easy Effects: 

easyeffects

Step 9: Install Community Presets

Download community presets from: - Official wiki: https://github.com/wwmm/easyeffects/wiki/Community-presets - Popular collection: https://github.com/JackHack96/EasyEffects-Presets

To install presets:

  1. Download the preset repository (click Code → Download ZIP)
  2. Extract the .json preset files
  3. In Easy Effects, click hamburger menu (top right)
  4. Select "Import Preset"
  5. Choose the .json files
  6. Presets will appear in the left sidebar

Recommended presets for laptop speakers: - Bass Enhancing + Perfect EQ - Loudness Equalizer - I did not end sup using this one due to distortion

Troubleshooting

Flatpak Applications Can't Detect Microphone

If Flatpak applications (Brave, etc.) can't detect the microphone after installing PipeWire:

  1. Restart the desktop portal: 

    systemctl --user restart xdg-desktop-portal

  2. Completely close all instances of the application (check all virtual desktops - IMPORTANT)

  3. Restart the application fresh

Bluetooth Devices Connect But No Audio

Ensure the Bluetooth module is installed: 

sudo apt install libspa-0.2-bluetooth
systemctl --user restart pipewire pipewire-pulse wireplumber

Re-pair Bluetooth devices after restart.

Verify PipeWire Is Running

Check service status: 

systemctl --user status pipewire pipewire-pulse wireplumber

All three services should show active (running).

Using Easy Effects

Easy Effects has three main tabs:

  • Output: Apply effects to speaker audio (equalizer, bass boost, etc.)
  • Input: Apply effects to microphone audio (noise reduction, etc.)
  • PipeWire: View and manage audio routing

To add effects: 1. Go to Output or Input tab 2. Scroll to bottom of window 3. Click "Effects" section 4. Click "+" to add effects from ~20 available options

Activate presets by clicking them in the left sidebar.

Notes

  • PipeWire replaced PulseAudio starting with Linux Mint 22
  • The pipewire-pulse package provides backward compatibility for PulseAudio applications
  • Easy Effects requires PipeWire and will not work with PulseAudio
  • System reboots are generally not required after installation, but service restarts are necessary

References