Linux: conflict resolution, usb sound card vs. webcam

Here's what you do to resolve a conflict in alsa, caused by some device hijacking your default alsa device to play sound. This could happen to you right after you upgrade your kernel.

1. Hit cat /proc/asound/cards to locate the offending device;
2. You prevent the offending modules that belong to the offending device from loading, by blacklisting the in /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist;
3. Check the actual device you actually want, by hitting cat /proc/asound/cards
   You'll find something like this:
   
   
   

   0 [XYZ123         ]: HDA-boo - HDA ...
                         HDA ... at 0xdbef8000 irq 22
   

4. Attack /etc/asound.conf by adding these lines:
   
   

   pcm.!default {
           type hw
           card XYZ123
   }
   
   ctl.!default {
           type hw
           card XYZ123
   }
   

The last step sets your default audio alsa device.

Hack on!