fix: improve voice quality and add distortion troubleshooting

- Fix RNNoise configuration: use mono instead of stereo, increase VAD threshold to 95%
- Adjust quantum settings: increase min-quantum to 64 for stability
- Add comprehensive voice distortion troubleshoot script
- Create optional disable-auto-rnnoise.nix for problematic setups
- The automatic RNNoise filter can cause artifacts, script helps diagnose and fix

modules/sound/disable-auto-rnnoise.nix

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+{
+  config,
+  lib,
+  pkgs,
+  ...
+}: {
+  # Optional configuration to disable automatic RNNoise filter
+  # This can be imported if the automatic filter causes distortion
+  
+  services.pipewire = {
+    extraConfig.pipewire."15-disable-auto-rnnoise" = {
+      "context.modules" = [
+        # Commenting out the automatic RNNoise filter
+        # Users should use EasyEffects for manual noise suppression instead
+        # {
+        #   name = "libpipewire-module-filter-chain";
+        #   args = {
+        #     "node.description" = "Noise Canceling Source";
+        #     # ... rest of RNNoise config
+        #   };
+        # }
+      ];
+    };
+  };
+}

modules/sound/pipewire.nix

@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@
       "context.properties" = {
         "default.clock.rate" = 48000;
         "default.clock.quantum" = 1024;
-        "default.clock.min-quantum" = 32;
+        "default.clock.min-quantum" = 64;
-        "default.clock.max-quantum" = 2048;
+        "default.clock.max-quantum" = 8192;
       };
 
       "context.modules" = [
@@ -40,10 +40,10 @@
                   type = "ladspa";
                   name = "rnnoise";
                   plugin = "${pkgs.rnnoise-plugin}/lib/ladspa/librnnoise_ladspa.so";
-                  label = "noise_suppressor_stereo";
+                  label = "noise_suppressor_mono";
                   control = {
-                    "VAD Threshold (%)" = 50.0;
+                    "VAD Threshold (%)" = 95.0;
-                    "VAD Grace Period (ms)" = 200;
+                    "VAD Grace Period (ms)" = 100;
                     "Retroactive VAD Grace (ms)" = 0;
                   };
                 }
@@ -84,6 +84,9 @@
 
     # Validation script
     (writeShellScriptBin "validate-audio" (builtins.readFile ./validate-audio.sh))
+    
+    # Troubleshoot script for voice distortion
+    (writeShellScriptBin "troubleshoot-voice-distortion" (builtins.readFile ./troubleshoot-voice-distortion.sh))
 
     # Optional: Professional audio tools
     # qjackctl          # JACK control GUI (for JACK applications)

modules/sound/troubleshoot-voice-distortion.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,285 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+# Voice Distortion Troubleshoot Script
+# This script helps diagnose and fix voice distortion issues in PipeWire
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+echo "🎤 Voice Distortion Troubleshoot Tool"
+echo "===================================="
+echo ""
+
+# Colors for output
+RED='\033[0;31m'
+GREEN='\033[0;32m'
+YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
+BLUE='\033[0;34m'
+CYAN='\033[0;36m'
+NC='\033[0m' # No Color
+
+success() {
+    echo -e "${GREEN}✅ $1${NC}"
+}
+
+warning() {
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}⚠️  $1${NC}"
+}
+
+error() {
+    echo -e "${RED}❌ $1${NC}"
+}
+
+info() {
+    echo -e "${BLUE}ℹ️  $1${NC}"
+}
+
+highlight() {
+    echo -e "${CYAN}🔧 $1${NC}"
+}
+
+echo "Let's diagnose your voice distortion issue step by step..."
+echo ""
+
+# 1. Check current audio settings
+echo "1. Current Audio Configuration"
+echo "=============================="
+
+if command -v wpctl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo "Default devices:"
+    wpctl status | head -20
+    echo ""
+    
+    # Get default source
+    DEFAULT_SOURCE=$(wpctl inspect @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SOURCE@ 2>/dev/null | grep "node.name" | head -1 | sed 's/.*"\(.*\)".*/\1/' || echo "unknown")
+    info "Current default source: $DEFAULT_SOURCE"
+    
+    # Check sample rate
+    CURRENT_RATE=$(pw-metadata -n settings | grep "clock.rate" | awk '{print $3}' || echo "unknown")
+    info "Current sample rate: $CURRENT_RATE Hz"
+    
+    # Check buffer size
+    CURRENT_QUANTUM=$(pw-metadata -n settings | grep "clock.quantum" | awk '{print $3}' || echo "unknown")
+    info "Current buffer size: $CURRENT_QUANTUM samples"
+    
+else
+    error "wpctl not available"
+fi
+
+echo ""
+
+# 2. Check for common distortion causes
+echo "2. Distortion Diagnosis"
+echo "======================"
+
+# Check if using RNNoise filter
+if pw-dump 2>/dev/null | jq -r '.[] | select(.info.props."node.name" == "rnnoise_source")' | grep -q "rnnoise"; then
+    warning "You're using the RNNoise filter chain - this might be causing distortion"
+    echo "   The automatic filter chain can sometimes cause artifacts"
+else
+    info "Not using automatic RNNoise filter"
+fi
+
+# Check for high CPU usage
+if command -v pw-top >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    highlight "Checking PipeWire performance (5 seconds)..."
+    timeout 5 pw-top --batch-mode 2>/dev/null | tail -10 || warning "Could not check performance"
+fi
+
+# Check input levels
+if command -v wpctl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo ""
+    echo "Current microphone volume levels:"
+    wpctl get-volume @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SOURCE@ || warning "Could not get volume info"
+fi
+
+echo ""
+
+# 3. Quick fixes
+echo "3. Quick Fixes to Try"
+echo "===================="
+echo ""
+
+echo "Choose a solution to try:"
+echo ""
+echo "A) Disable automatic RNNoise filter (recommended first step)"
+echo "B) Lower microphone input gain"
+echo "C) Reduce buffer size for lower latency"
+echo "D) Use EasyEffects instead of filter chain"
+echo "E) Reset to safe audio settings"
+echo "F) Test different sample rates"
+echo "G) Monitor audio in real-time"
+echo "H) All of the above (comprehensive fix)"
+echo ""
+
+read -p "Enter your choice (A-H): " choice
+
+case $choice in
+    A|a)
+        echo ""
+        highlight "Disabling automatic RNNoise filter..."
+        if pw-dump 2>/dev/null | jq -r '.[] | select(.info.props."node.name" == "rnnoise_source") | .id' | while read id; do
+            echo "Removing filter node $id"
+            pw-cli destroy "$id" 2>/dev/null || warning "Could not remove filter $id"
+        done; then
+            success "RNNoise filter disabled"
+            echo "Try speaking now. If distortion is gone, use EasyEffects for noise suppression instead."
+        else
+            warning "Could not disable RNNoise filter automatically"
+        fi
+        ;;
+        
+    B|b)
+        echo ""
+        highlight "Lowering microphone input gain to 50%..."
+        wpctl set-volume @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SOURCE@ 50%
+        success "Microphone gain reduced to 50%"
+        echo "Test your voice now. Adjust further if needed with: wpctl set-volume @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SOURCE@ X%"
+        ;;
+        
+    C|c)
+        echo ""
+        highlight "Setting lower buffer size for reduced latency..."
+        pw-metadata -n settings 0 clock.force-quantum 512
+        success "Buffer size set to 512 samples"
+        echo "This should reduce latency but may increase CPU usage"
+        ;;
+        
+    D|d)
+        echo ""
+        highlight "Launching EasyEffects for manual noise suppression..."
+        if command -v easyeffects >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            easyeffects &
+            success "EasyEffects launched"
+            echo ""
+            echo "In EasyEffects:"
+            echo "1. Go to 'Input' tab"
+            echo "2. Add 'RNNoise' effect"
+            echo "3. Set 'VAD Threshold' to 95% (very conservative)"
+            echo "4. Set 'Wet' signal to 50-70% (not 100%)"
+            echo "5. Disable any other aggressive processing"
+        else
+            error "EasyEffects not available"
+        fi
+        ;;
+        
+    E|e)
+        echo ""
+        highlight "Resetting to safe audio settings..."
+        # Reset quantum
+        pw-metadata -n settings 0 clock.force-quantum 0
+        # Reset rate
+        pw-metadata -n settings 0 clock.force-rate 0
+        # Set reasonable volume
+        wpctl set-volume @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SOURCE@ 70%
+        # Restart audio services
+        systemctl --user restart pipewire pipewire-pulse wireplumber
+        success "Audio settings reset to defaults"
+        echo "Wait 5 seconds for services to restart, then test your voice"
+        ;;
+        
+    F|f)
+        echo ""
+        highlight "Testing different sample rates..."
+        echo "Current rate: $(pw-metadata -n settings | grep clock.rate | awk '{print $3}' || echo 'default')"
+        echo ""
+        echo "Trying 44100 Hz..."
+        pw-metadata -n settings 0 clock.force-rate 44100
+        sleep 2
+        echo "Test your voice now. Press Enter to continue..."
+        read
+        echo "Trying 48000 Hz..."
+        pw-metadata -n settings 0 clock.force-rate 48000
+        sleep 2
+        echo "Test your voice now. Press Enter to continue..."
+        read
+        echo "Back to automatic rate..."
+        pw-metadata -n settings 0 clock.force-rate 0
+        success "Rate testing complete"
+        ;;
+        
+    G|g)
+        echo ""
+        highlight "Starting real-time audio monitoring..."
+        echo "Press Ctrl+C to stop monitoring"
+        echo ""
+        if command -v pw-top >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            pw-top
+        else
+            echo "Monitoring with wpctl status (updating every 2 seconds):"
+            while true; do
+                clear
+                echo "=== PipeWire Status ==="
+                wpctl status
+                echo ""
+                echo "=== Microphone Volume ==="
+                wpctl get-volume @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SOURCE@
+                echo ""
+                echo "Press Ctrl+C to stop"
+                sleep 2
+            done
+        fi
+        ;;
+        
+    H|h)
+        echo ""
+        highlight "Running comprehensive fix..."
+        
+        # Step 1: Disable RNNoise filter
+        echo "1/6: Disabling automatic RNNoise filter..."
+        pw-dump 2>/dev/null | jq -r '.[] | select(.info.props."node.name" == "rnnoise_source") | .id' | while read id; do
+            pw-cli destroy "$id" 2>/dev/null || true
+        done
+        
+        # Step 2: Reset audio settings
+        echo "2/6: Resetting audio settings..."
+        pw-metadata -n settings 0 clock.force-quantum 0
+        pw-metadata -n settings 0 clock.force-rate 0
+        
+        # Step 3: Set conservative volume
+        echo "3/6: Setting conservative microphone gain..."
+        wpctl set-volume @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SOURCE@ 60%
+        
+        # Step 4: Restart services
+        echo "4/6: Restarting audio services..."
+        systemctl --user restart pipewire pipewire-pulse wireplumber
+        
+        # Step 5: Wait for restart
+        echo "5/6: Waiting for services to stabilize..."
+        sleep 5
+        
+        # Step 6: Launch EasyEffects
+        echo "6/6: Launching EasyEffects for manual control..."
+        if command -v easyeffects >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            easyeffects &
+            success "Comprehensive fix applied!"
+            echo ""
+            echo "Next steps:"
+            echo "1. Test your voice without any effects first"
+            echo "2. In EasyEffects, gradually add noise suppression:"
+            echo "   - Start with RNNoise at 50% wet signal"
+            echo "   - Use VAD threshold of 95% or higher"
+            echo "   - Avoid aggressive compression or EQ"
+            echo "3. If still distorted, try lowering input gain further"
+        else
+            warning "EasyEffects not available for manual control"
+        fi
+        ;;
+        
+    *)
+        error "Invalid choice"
+        ;;
+esac
+
+echo ""
+echo "🎯 Additional Tips to Prevent Distortion:"
+echo "========================================="
+echo ""
+echo "• Keep microphone gain below 80% to avoid clipping"
+echo "• Use RNNoise conservatively (50-70% wet signal, not 100%)"
+echo "• Check for background applications using audio"
+echo "• Ensure your microphone hardware supports 48kHz"
+echo "• Consider using a better quality microphone"
+echo "• Avoid stacking multiple noise reduction effects"
+echo ""
+
+echo "Run this script again anytime with: troubleshoot-voice-distortion"