.asoundrc for dummies

["Mathias Friman" <mathias.friman@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi list.

Since I'm not a programmer, trying to document the .asoundrc syntax is somewhat cumbersome.

I'm writing an introductory howto for linux music making, in swedish, and I can't really get a grasp
of the syntax in .asoundrc or any other alsa configuration file (like those in /usr/share/alsa/) for that matter.

I wonder if anyone got easy-to-understand links for this, except the ALSA-wiki and the Gentoo ALSA-howto?
These both round up an endless number of examples, but does leave out (IMHO) important parts that is needed
for a thourough understanding if you're a moron like me. ;)

For example:

pcm.!default {
         type asym
         playback.pcm {
                 type plug
                 slave.pcm "hw:0,0"
         }
         capture.pcm {
                 type plug
                 slave.pcm "hw:1,0"
         } 
 }

This overrides the default setting, 
uses type asym (which is what exactly? asymmetrical, yes, but what does that mean?) 
sets a playback.pcm (which is defined where originally?)

Why does it say 'slave.pcm "hw:0,0"' and nothing like:

pcm_slave.sltest {
    pcm ens1371
}

and what is the difference?

etc. and so on, und so weiter


A lot of questions, an probably a few stupid ones as well. Regretfully, to be able to explain it properly, I need a somewhat
deeper understanding than I have now, and since some of the sharpest minds in the Linux audio community are on this list
I thought I'd switch from endless googling to a cry for help. :)

I'd be more than glad to write an english howto aswell, for people like me to use. However, I might need some help with
correctional reading once it's done. ;)

So, anyone got tips, links, an hour to spare or whatever? All is welcome.

Regards,
Mathias