On Linux Mint Cinnamon, you can route different audio streams to different output devices (e.g., laptop speakers and a 3.5mm jack earphone) using PulseAudio, the default sound server. Here’s how you can achieve this:

1. Install pavucontrol (PulseAudio Volume Control)

If not already installed, open a terminal and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install pavucontrol

2. Connect Your Earphones

Plug in your earphones to the 3.5mm jack. Linux Mint should automatically detect them.

3. Open PulseAudio Volume Control

• Launch pavucontrol from the terminal or the application menu.
• Go to the Output Devices tab. You should see both your built-in speakers and the earphones listed.

4. Configure Audio Output for Applications

• Open the application whose audio you want to route to a specific device (e.g., a music player or browser).
• Start playing audio in the application.
• In pavucontrol, go to the Playback tab.
• You’ll see the application listed. Click the dropdown next to it and select either Built-in Audio Analog Stereo (for speakers) or Headphones (for earphones).

5. Test and Adjust

• Play audio in two different applications (e.g., a music player and a video player).
• In pavucontrol, route each application’s audio to the desired output device.

6. (Optional) Use paprefs for Advanced Routing

If you need more control, install paprefs:

sudo apt install paprefs

• Open paprefs and enable "Simultaneous Output" or "Enable virtual surround sink" if needed.

Troubleshooting

• If the earphones are not detected, check if they are properly plugged in and try restarting PulseAudio:
  bash

  Copy

  pulseaudio -k && pulseaudio --start

• If you still face issues, check if the correct output profile is selected in the Configuration tab of pavucontrol.

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