Install & Configure PipeWire Manually

INFO

This is not necessary if you plan to install a desktop environment like GNOME or KDE.

Install Required Packages

sudo pacman -S lib32-pipewire pipewire pipewire-alsa pipewire-jack pipewire-pulse gst-plugin-pipewire wireplumber rtkit

Package Info:

• pipewire → the latest and most widely used audio server.
• lib32-pipewire → 32-bit version for compatibility.
• pipewire-alsa → ALSA support for PipeWire.
• pipewire-jack → JACK audio server support.
• pipewire-pulse → PulseAudio support.
• gst-plugin-pipewire → compatibility for other applications.
• wireplumber and rtkit → ensure system compatibility and priority, addressing audio issues like distortion and crackling.

Add User to the rtkit Group

INFO

Add the user executing the command to the rtkit group to provide PipeWire with the correct system priorities.

sudo usermod -a -G rtkit $USER

Enable Audio Services to Autostart

INFO

Enable the audio services to start automatically for the user. DO NOT USE SUDO FOR THIS STEP. Only these three services are needed; the others will start automatically as required.

systemctl --user enable pipewire pipewire-pulse wireplumber