I wrote:

x.setparameters(8000, 1, 8, linuxaudiodev.AFMT_MU_LAW )

where I meant:

x.setparameters(8000, 8, 1, linuxaudiodev.AFMT_MU_LAW )

In fact I tried just about every combination of arguments, closing and reopening the device each time, but still no go. I also wrote:

Maybe I'll clean it up and submit it for inclusion post-1.6

where of course I meant to say post-2.0b1