diff --git a/sound/usb/line6/capture.c b/sound/usb/line6/capture.c
index 21342a9dddd7ea..7b8186b6c0e42f 100644
--- a/sound/usb/line6/capture.c
+++ b/sound/usb/line6/capture.c
@@ -67,20 +67,18 @@ static int submit_audio_in_urb(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm)
 
 /*
 	Submit all currently available capture URBs.
+	must be called in line6pcm->in.lock context
 */
 int line6_submit_audio_in_all_urbs(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm)
 {
-	unsigned long flags;
 	int ret = 0, i;
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&line6pcm->in.lock, flags);
 	for (i = 0; i < LINE6_ISO_BUFFERS; ++i) {
 		ret = submit_audio_in_urb(line6pcm);
 		if (ret < 0)
 			break;
 	}
 
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&line6pcm->in.lock, flags);
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -187,10 +185,10 @@ static void audio_in_callback(struct urb *urb)
 		line6pcm->prev_fbuf = fbuf;
 		line6pcm->prev_fsize = fsize;
 
-		if (!(line6pcm->flags & LINE6_BITS_PCM_IMPULSE))
-			if (test_bit(LINE6_INDEX_PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_STREAM,
-				     &line6pcm->flags) && (fsize > 0))
-				line6_capture_copy(line6pcm, fbuf, fsize);
+		if (!test_bit(LINE6_STREAM_IMPULSE, &line6pcm->in.running) &&
+		    test_bit(LINE6_STREAM_PCM, &line6pcm->in.running) &&
+		    fsize > 0)
+			line6_capture_copy(line6pcm, fbuf, fsize);
 	}
 
 	clear_bit(index, &line6pcm->in.active_urbs);
@@ -201,10 +199,9 @@ static void audio_in_callback(struct urb *urb)
 	if (!shutdown) {
 		submit_audio_in_urb(line6pcm);
 
-		if (!(line6pcm->flags & LINE6_BITS_PCM_IMPULSE))
-			if (test_bit(LINE6_INDEX_PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_STREAM,
-				     &line6pcm->flags))
-				line6_capture_check_period(line6pcm, length);
+		if (!test_bit(LINE6_STREAM_IMPULSE, &line6pcm->in.running) &&
+		    test_bit(LINE6_STREAM_PCM, &line6pcm->in.running))
+			line6_capture_check_period(line6pcm, length);
 	}
 
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&line6pcm->in.lock, flags);
@@ -234,71 +231,6 @@ static int snd_line6_capture_close(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-/* hw_params capture callback */
-static int snd_line6_capture_hw_params(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream,
-				       struct snd_pcm_hw_params *hw_params)
-{
-	int ret;
-	struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm = snd_pcm_substream_chip(substream);
-
-	ret = line6_pcm_acquire(line6pcm, LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_BUFFER);
-
-	if (ret < 0)
-		return ret;
-
-	ret = snd_pcm_lib_malloc_pages(substream,
-				       params_buffer_bytes(hw_params));
-	if (ret < 0) {
-		line6_pcm_release(line6pcm, LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_BUFFER);
-		return ret;
-	}
-
-	line6pcm->in.period = params_period_bytes(hw_params);
-	return 0;
-}
-
-/* hw_free capture callback */
-static int snd_line6_capture_hw_free(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream)
-{
-	struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm = snd_pcm_substream_chip(substream);
-
-	line6_pcm_release(line6pcm, LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_BUFFER);
-	return snd_pcm_lib_free_pages(substream);
-}
-
-/* trigger callback */
-int snd_line6_capture_trigger(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm, int cmd)
-{
-	int err;
-
-	switch (cmd) {
-	case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_START:
-	case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_RESUME:
-		err = line6_pcm_acquire(line6pcm,
-					LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_STREAM);
-
-		if (err < 0)
-			return err;
-
-		break;
-
-	case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_STOP:
-	case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_SUSPEND:
-		err = line6_pcm_release(line6pcm,
-					LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_STREAM);
-
-		if (err < 0)
-			return err;
-
-		break;
-
-	default:
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
-
-	return 0;
-}
-
 /* capture pointer callback */
 static snd_pcm_uframes_t
 snd_line6_capture_pointer(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream)
@@ -313,8 +245,8 @@ struct snd_pcm_ops snd_line6_capture_ops = {
 	.open = snd_line6_capture_open,
 	.close = snd_line6_capture_close,
 	.ioctl = snd_pcm_lib_ioctl,
-	.hw_params = snd_line6_capture_hw_params,
-	.hw_free = snd_line6_capture_hw_free,
+	.hw_params = snd_line6_hw_params,
+	.hw_free = snd_line6_hw_free,
 	.prepare = snd_line6_prepare,
 	.trigger = snd_line6_trigger,
 	.pointer = snd_line6_capture_pointer,
diff --git a/sound/usb/line6/capture.h b/sound/usb/line6/capture.h
index db062e7200a650..890b21bff18c7d 100644
--- a/sound/usb/line6/capture.h
+++ b/sound/usb/line6/capture.h
@@ -25,6 +25,5 @@ extern void line6_capture_check_period(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm,
 				       int length);
 extern int line6_create_audio_in_urbs(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm);
 extern int line6_submit_audio_in_all_urbs(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm);
-extern int snd_line6_capture_trigger(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm, int cmd);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/sound/usb/line6/pcm.c b/sound/usb/line6/pcm.c
index dedbe24cbf6073..470fc1049d54e3 100644
--- a/sound/usb/line6/pcm.c
+++ b/sound/usb/line6/pcm.c
@@ -51,9 +51,9 @@ static int snd_line6_impulse_volume_put(struct snd_kcontrol *kcontrol,
 
 	line6pcm->impulse_volume = value;
 	if (value > 0)
-		line6_pcm_acquire(line6pcm, LINE6_BITS_PCM_IMPULSE);
+		line6_pcm_acquire(line6pcm, LINE6_STREAM_IMPULSE);
 	else
-		line6_pcm_release(line6pcm, LINE6_BITS_PCM_IMPULSE);
+		line6_pcm_release(line6pcm, LINE6_STREAM_IMPULSE);
 	return 1;
 }
 
@@ -132,176 +132,226 @@ static void line6_wait_clear_audio_urbs(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm,
 			"timeout: still %d active urbs..\n", alive);
 }
 
-static int line6_alloc_stream_buffer(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm,
-				     struct line6_pcm_stream *pcms)
+static inline struct line6_pcm_stream *
+get_stream(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm, int direction)
 {
-	/* Invoked multiple times in a row so allocate once only */
-	if (pcms->buffer)
-		return 0;
-
-	pcms->buffer = kmalloc(LINE6_ISO_BUFFERS * LINE6_ISO_PACKETS *
-			       line6pcm->max_packet_size, GFP_KERNEL);
-	if (!pcms->buffer)
-		return -ENOMEM;
-	return 0;
+	return (direction == SNDRV_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK) ?
+		&line6pcm->out : &line6pcm->in;
 }
 
-static void line6_free_stream_buffer(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm,
-				     struct line6_pcm_stream *pcms)
+/* allocate a buffer if not opened yet;
+ * call this in line6pcm.state_change mutex
+ */
+static int line6_buffer_acquire(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm,
+				struct line6_pcm_stream *pstr, int type)
 {
-	kfree(pcms->buffer);
-	pcms->buffer = NULL;
+	/* Invoked multiple times in a row so allocate once only */
+	if (!test_and_set_bit(type, &pstr->opened) && !pstr->buffer) {
+		pstr->buffer = kmalloc(LINE6_ISO_BUFFERS * LINE6_ISO_PACKETS *
+				       line6pcm->max_packet_size, GFP_KERNEL);
+		if (!pstr->buffer)
+			return -ENOMEM;
+	}
+	return 0;
 }
 
-static bool test_flags(unsigned long flags0, unsigned long flags1,
-		       unsigned long mask)
+/* free a buffer if all streams are closed;
+ * call this in line6pcm.state_change mutex
+ */
+static void line6_buffer_release(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm,
+				 struct line6_pcm_stream *pstr, int type)
 {
-	return ((flags0 & mask) == 0) && ((flags1 & mask) != 0);
+
+	clear_bit(type, &pstr->opened);
+	if (!pstr->opened) {
+		line6_wait_clear_audio_urbs(line6pcm, pstr);
+		kfree(pstr->buffer);
+		pstr->buffer = NULL;
+	}
 }
 
-int line6_pcm_acquire(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm, int channels)
+/* start a PCM stream */
+static int line6_stream_start(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm, int direction,
+			      int type)
 {
-	unsigned long flags_old, flags_new, flags_final;
-	int err;
-
-	do {
-		flags_old = ACCESS_ONCE(line6pcm->flags);
-		flags_new = flags_old | channels;
-	} while (cmpxchg(&line6pcm->flags, flags_old, flags_new) != flags_old);
-
-	flags_final = 0;
+	unsigned long flags;
+	struct line6_pcm_stream *pstr = get_stream(line6pcm, direction);
+	int ret = 0;
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&pstr->lock, flags);
+	if (!test_and_set_bit(type, &pstr->running)) {
+		if (pstr->active_urbs || pstr->unlink_urbs) {
+			ret = -EBUSY;
+			goto error;
+		}
 
-	if (test_flags(flags_old, flags_new, LINE6_BITS_CAPTURE_BUFFER)) {
-		err = line6_alloc_stream_buffer(line6pcm, &line6pcm->in);
-		if (err < 0)
-			goto pcm_acquire_error;
-		flags_final |= channels & LINE6_BITS_CAPTURE_BUFFER;
+		pstr->count = 0;
+		/* Submit all currently available URBs */
+		if (direction == SNDRV_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK)
+			ret = line6_submit_audio_out_all_urbs(line6pcm);
+		else
+			ret = line6_submit_audio_in_all_urbs(line6pcm);
 	}
+ error:
+	if (ret < 0)
+		clear_bit(type, &pstr->running);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&pstr->lock, flags);
+	return ret;
+}
 
-	if (test_flags(flags_old, flags_new, LINE6_BITS_CAPTURE_STREAM)) {
-		/*
-		   Waiting for completion of active URBs in the stop handler is
-		   a bug, we therefore report an error if capturing is restarted
-		   too soon.
-		 */
-		if (line6pcm->in.active_urbs || line6pcm->in.unlink_urbs) {
-			dev_err(line6pcm->line6->ifcdev, "Device not yet ready\n");
-			err = -EBUSY;
-			goto pcm_acquire_error;
+/* stop a PCM stream; this doesn't sync with the unlinked URBs */
+static void line6_stream_stop(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm, int direction,
+			  int type)
+{
+	unsigned long flags;
+	struct line6_pcm_stream *pstr = get_stream(line6pcm, direction);
+
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&pstr->lock, flags);
+	clear_bit(type, &pstr->running);
+	if (!pstr->running) {
+		line6_unlink_audio_urbs(line6pcm, pstr);
+		if (direction == SNDRV_PCM_STREAM_CAPTURE) {
+			line6pcm->prev_fbuf = NULL;
+			line6pcm->prev_fsize = 0;
 		}
+	}
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&pstr->lock, flags);
+}
 
-		line6pcm->in.count = 0;
-		err = line6_submit_audio_in_all_urbs(line6pcm);
+/* common PCM trigger callback */
+int snd_line6_trigger(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream, int cmd)
+{
+	struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm = snd_pcm_substream_chip(substream);
+	struct snd_pcm_substream *s;
+	int err;
 
-		if (err < 0)
-			goto pcm_acquire_error;
+	clear_bit(LINE6_FLAG_PREPARED, &line6pcm->flags);
 
-		flags_final |= channels & LINE6_BITS_CAPTURE_STREAM;
-	}
+	snd_pcm_group_for_each_entry(s, substream) {
+		if (s->pcm->card != substream->pcm->card)
+			continue;
 
-	if (test_flags(flags_old, flags_new, LINE6_BITS_PLAYBACK_BUFFER)) {
-		err = line6_alloc_stream_buffer(line6pcm, &line6pcm->out);
-		if (err < 0)
-			goto pcm_acquire_error;
-		flags_final |= channels & LINE6_BITS_PLAYBACK_BUFFER;
-	}
+		switch (cmd) {
+		case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_START:
+		case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_RESUME:
+			err = line6_stream_start(line6pcm, s->stream,
+						 LINE6_STREAM_PCM);
+			if (err < 0)
+				return err;
+			break;
 
-	if (test_flags(flags_old, flags_new, LINE6_BITS_PLAYBACK_STREAM)) {
-		/*
-		  See comment above regarding PCM restart.
-		*/
-		if (line6pcm->out.active_urbs || line6pcm->out.unlink_urbs) {
-			dev_err(line6pcm->line6->ifcdev, "Device not yet ready\n");
-			return -EBUSY;
-		}
+		case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_STOP:
+		case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_SUSPEND:
+			line6_stream_stop(line6pcm, s->stream,
+					  LINE6_STREAM_PCM);
+			break;
 
-		line6pcm->out.count = 0;
-		err = line6_submit_audio_out_all_urbs(line6pcm);
+		case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_PAUSE_PUSH:
+			if (s->stream != SNDRV_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK)
+				return -EINVAL;
+			set_bit(LINE6_FLAG_PAUSE_PLAYBACK, &line6pcm->flags);
+			break;
 
-		if (err < 0)
-			goto pcm_acquire_error;
+		case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_PAUSE_RELEASE:
+			if (s->stream != SNDRV_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK)
+				return -EINVAL;
+			clear_bit(LINE6_FLAG_PAUSE_PLAYBACK, &line6pcm->flags);
+			break;
 
-		flags_final |= channels & LINE6_BITS_PLAYBACK_STREAM;
+		default:
+			return -EINVAL;
+		}
 	}
 
 	return 0;
-
-pcm_acquire_error:
-	/*
-	   If not all requested resources/streams could be obtained, release
-	   those which were successfully obtained (if any).
-	*/
-	line6_pcm_release(line6pcm, flags_final);
-	return err;
 }
-EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(line6_pcm_acquire);
 
-int line6_pcm_release(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm, int channels)
+/* Acquire and start duplex streams:
+ * type is either LINE6_STREAM_IMPULSE or LINE6_STREAM_MONITOR
+ */
+int line6_pcm_acquire(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm, int type)
 {
-	unsigned long flags_old, flags_new;
-
-	do {
-		flags_old = ACCESS_ONCE(line6pcm->flags);
-		flags_new = flags_old & ~channels;
-	} while (cmpxchg(&line6pcm->flags, flags_old, flags_new) != flags_old);
-
-	if (test_flags(flags_new, flags_old, LINE6_BITS_CAPTURE_STREAM)) {
-		line6_unlink_audio_urbs(line6pcm, &line6pcm->in);
-		line6pcm->prev_fbuf = NULL;
-		line6pcm->prev_fsize = 0;
+	struct line6_pcm_stream *pstr;
+	int ret = 0, dir;
+
+	mutex_lock(&line6pcm->state_mutex);
+	for (dir = 0; dir < 2; dir++) {
+		pstr = get_stream(line6pcm, dir);
+		ret = line6_buffer_acquire(line6pcm, pstr, type);
+		if (ret < 0)
+			goto error;
+		if (!pstr->running)
+			line6_wait_clear_audio_urbs(line6pcm, pstr);
 	}
-
-	if (test_flags(flags_new, flags_old, LINE6_BITS_CAPTURE_BUFFER)) {
-		line6_wait_clear_audio_urbs(line6pcm, &line6pcm->in);
-		line6_free_stream_buffer(line6pcm, &line6pcm->in);
+	for (dir = 0; dir < 2; dir++) {
+		ret = line6_stream_start(line6pcm, dir, type);
+		if (ret < 0)
+			goto error;
 	}
+ error:
+	mutex_unlock(&line6pcm->state_mutex);
+	if (ret < 0)
+		line6_pcm_release(line6pcm, type);
+	return ret;
+}
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(line6_pcm_acquire);
 
-	if (test_flags(flags_new, flags_old, LINE6_BITS_PLAYBACK_STREAM))
-		line6_unlink_audio_urbs(line6pcm, &line6pcm->out);
-
-	if (test_flags(flags_new, flags_old, LINE6_BITS_PLAYBACK_BUFFER)) {
-		line6_wait_clear_audio_urbs(line6pcm, &line6pcm->out);
-		line6_free_stream_buffer(line6pcm, &line6pcm->out);
+/* Stop and release duplex streams */
+void line6_pcm_release(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm, int type)
+{
+	struct line6_pcm_stream *pstr;
+	int dir;
+
+	mutex_lock(&line6pcm->state_mutex);
+	for (dir = 0; dir < 2; dir++)
+		line6_stream_stop(line6pcm, dir, type);
+	for (dir = 0; dir < 2; dir++) {
+		pstr = get_stream(line6pcm, dir);
+		line6_buffer_release(line6pcm, pstr, type);
 	}
-
-	return 0;
+	mutex_unlock(&line6pcm->state_mutex);
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(line6_pcm_release);
 
-/* trigger callback */
-int snd_line6_trigger(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream, int cmd)
+/* common PCM hw_params callback */
+int snd_line6_hw_params(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream,
+			struct snd_pcm_hw_params *hw_params)
 {
+	int ret;
 	struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm = snd_pcm_substream_chip(substream);
-	struct snd_pcm_substream *s;
-	int err = 0;
-
-	clear_bit(LINE6_INDEX_PREPARED, &line6pcm->flags);
-
-	snd_pcm_group_for_each_entry(s, substream) {
-		if (s->pcm->card != substream->pcm->card)
-			continue;
-		switch (s->stream) {
-		case SNDRV_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK:
-			err = snd_line6_playback_trigger(line6pcm, cmd);
-			break;
+	struct line6_pcm_stream *pstr = get_stream(line6pcm, substream->stream);
+
+	mutex_lock(&line6pcm->state_mutex);
+	ret = line6_buffer_acquire(line6pcm, pstr, LINE6_STREAM_PCM);
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto error;
+
+	ret = snd_pcm_lib_malloc_pages(substream,
+				       params_buffer_bytes(hw_params));
+	if (ret < 0) {
+		line6_buffer_release(line6pcm, pstr, LINE6_STREAM_PCM);
+		goto error;
+	}
 
-		case SNDRV_PCM_STREAM_CAPTURE:
-			err = snd_line6_capture_trigger(line6pcm, cmd);
-			break;
+	pstr->period = params_period_bytes(hw_params);
+ error:
+	mutex_unlock(&line6pcm->state_mutex);
+	return ret;
+}
 
-		default:
-			dev_err(line6pcm->line6->ifcdev,
-				"Unknown stream direction %d\n", s->stream);
-			err = -EINVAL;
-			break;
-		}
-		if (err < 0)
-			break;
-	}
+/* common PCM hw_free callback */
+int snd_line6_hw_free(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream)
+{
+	struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm = snd_pcm_substream_chip(substream);
+	struct line6_pcm_stream *pstr = get_stream(line6pcm, substream->stream);
 
-	return err;
+	mutex_lock(&line6pcm->state_mutex);
+	line6_buffer_release(line6pcm, pstr, LINE6_STREAM_PCM);
+	mutex_unlock(&line6pcm->state_mutex);
+	return snd_pcm_lib_free_pages(substream);
 }
 
+
 /* control info callback */
 static int snd_line6_control_playback_info(struct snd_kcontrol *kcontrol,
 					   struct snd_ctl_elem_info *uinfo)
@@ -454,6 +504,7 @@ int line6_init_pcm(struct usb_line6 *line6,
 	if (!line6pcm)
 		return -ENOMEM;
 
+	mutex_init(&line6pcm->state_mutex);
 	line6pcm->pcm = pcm;
 	line6pcm->properties = properties;
 	line6pcm->volume_playback[0] = line6pcm->volume_playback[1] = 255;
@@ -500,24 +551,13 @@ EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(line6_init_pcm);
 int snd_line6_prepare(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream)
 {
 	struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm = snd_pcm_substream_chip(substream);
+	struct line6_pcm_stream *pstr = get_stream(line6pcm, substream->stream);
 
-	switch (substream->stream) {
-	case SNDRV_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK:
-		if ((line6pcm->flags & LINE6_BITS_PLAYBACK_STREAM) == 0) {
-			line6_unlink_audio_urbs(line6pcm, &line6pcm->out);
-			line6_wait_clear_audio_urbs(line6pcm, &line6pcm->out);
-		}
-		break;
-
-	case SNDRV_PCM_STREAM_CAPTURE:
-		if ((line6pcm->flags & LINE6_BITS_CAPTURE_STREAM) == 0) {
-			line6_unlink_audio_urbs(line6pcm, &line6pcm->in);
-			line6_wait_clear_audio_urbs(line6pcm, &line6pcm->in);
-		}
-		break;
-	}
+	mutex_lock(&line6pcm->state_mutex);
+	if (!pstr->running)
+		line6_wait_clear_audio_urbs(line6pcm, pstr);
 
-	if (!test_and_set_bit(LINE6_INDEX_PREPARED, &line6pcm->flags)) {
+	if (!test_and_set_bit(LINE6_FLAG_PREPARED, &line6pcm->flags)) {
 		line6pcm->out.count = 0;
 		line6pcm->out.pos = 0;
 		line6pcm->out.pos_done = 0;
@@ -527,5 +567,6 @@ int snd_line6_prepare(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream)
 		line6pcm->in.bytes = 0;
 	}
 
+	mutex_unlock(&line6pcm->state_mutex);
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/sound/usb/line6/pcm.h b/sound/usb/line6/pcm.h
index 4c74f4e8507491..66f603dfa34e9a 100644
--- a/sound/usb/line6/pcm.h
+++ b/sound/usb/line6/pcm.h
@@ -54,109 +54,33 @@
 	However, from the device's point of view, there is just a single
 	capture and playback stream, which must be shared between these
 	subsystems. It is therefore necessary to maintain the state of the
-	subsystems with respect to PCM usage. We define several constants of
-	the form LINE6_BIT_PCM_<subsystem>_<direction>_<resource> with the
-	following meanings:
-	*) <subsystem> is one of
-	-) ALSA: PCM playback and capture via ALSA
-	-) MONITOR: software monitoring
-	-) IMPULSE: optional impulse response measurement
-	*) <direction> is one of
-	-) PLAYBACK: audio output (from host to device)
-	-) CAPTURE: audio input (from device to host)
-	*) <resource> is one of
-	-) BUFFER: buffer required by PCM data stream
-	-) STREAM: actual PCM data stream
-
-	The subsystems call line6_pcm_acquire() to acquire the (shared)
-	resources needed for a particular operation (e.g., allocate the buffer
-	for ALSA playback or start the capture stream for software monitoring).
-	When a resource is no longer needed, it is released by calling
-	line6_pcm_release(). Buffer allocation and stream startup are handled
-	separately to allow the ALSA kernel driver to perform them at
-	appropriate places (since the callback which starts a PCM stream is not
-	allowed to sleep).
+	subsystems with respect to PCM usage.
+
+	We define two bit flags, "opened" and "running", for each playback
+	or capture stream.  Both can contain the bit flag corresponding to
+	LINE6_STREAM_* type,
+	  LINE6_STREAM_PCM = ALSA PCM playback or capture
+	  LINE6_STREAM_MONITOR = software monitoring
+	  IMPULSE = optional impulse response measurement
+	The opened flag indicates whether the buffer is allocated while
+	the running flag indicates whether the stream is running.
+
+	For monitor or impulse operations, the driver needs to call
+	snd_line6_duplex_acquire() or snd_line6_duplex_release() with the
+	appropriate LINE6_STREAM_* flag.
 */
+
+/* stream types */
+enum {
+	LINE6_STREAM_PCM,
+	LINE6_STREAM_MONITOR,
+	LINE6_STREAM_IMPULSE,
+};
+
+/* misc bit flags for PCM operation */
 enum {
-	/* individual bit indices: */
-	LINE6_INDEX_PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_BUFFER,
-	LINE6_INDEX_PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_STREAM,
-	LINE6_INDEX_PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_BUFFER,
-	LINE6_INDEX_PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_STREAM,
-	LINE6_INDEX_PCM_MONITOR_PLAYBACK_BUFFER,
-	LINE6_INDEX_PCM_MONITOR_PLAYBACK_STREAM,
-	LINE6_INDEX_PCM_MONITOR_CAPTURE_BUFFER,
-	LINE6_INDEX_PCM_MONITOR_CAPTURE_STREAM,
-	LINE6_INDEX_PCM_IMPULSE_PLAYBACK_BUFFER,
-	LINE6_INDEX_PCM_IMPULSE_PLAYBACK_STREAM,
-	LINE6_INDEX_PCM_IMPULSE_CAPTURE_BUFFER,
-	LINE6_INDEX_PCM_IMPULSE_CAPTURE_STREAM,
-	LINE6_INDEX_PAUSE_PLAYBACK,
-	LINE6_INDEX_PREPARED,
-
-#define LINE6_BIT(x) LINE6_BIT_ ## x = 1 << LINE6_INDEX_ ## x
-
-	/* individual bit masks: */
-	LINE6_BIT(PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_BUFFER),
-	LINE6_BIT(PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_STREAM),
-	LINE6_BIT(PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_BUFFER),
-	LINE6_BIT(PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_STREAM),
-	LINE6_BIT(PCM_MONITOR_PLAYBACK_BUFFER),
-	LINE6_BIT(PCM_MONITOR_PLAYBACK_STREAM),
-	LINE6_BIT(PCM_MONITOR_CAPTURE_BUFFER),
-	LINE6_BIT(PCM_MONITOR_CAPTURE_STREAM),
-	LINE6_BIT(PCM_IMPULSE_PLAYBACK_BUFFER),
-	LINE6_BIT(PCM_IMPULSE_PLAYBACK_STREAM),
-	LINE6_BIT(PCM_IMPULSE_CAPTURE_BUFFER),
-	LINE6_BIT(PCM_IMPULSE_CAPTURE_STREAM),
-	LINE6_BIT(PAUSE_PLAYBACK),
-	LINE6_BIT(PREPARED),
-
-	/* combined bit masks (by operation): */
-	LINE6_BITS_PCM_ALSA_BUFFER =
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_BUFFER |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_BUFFER,
-
-	LINE6_BITS_PCM_ALSA_STREAM =
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_STREAM |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_STREAM,
-
-	LINE6_BITS_PCM_MONITOR =
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_MONITOR_PLAYBACK_BUFFER |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_MONITOR_PLAYBACK_STREAM |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_MONITOR_CAPTURE_BUFFER |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_MONITOR_CAPTURE_STREAM,
-
-	LINE6_BITS_PCM_IMPULSE =
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_IMPULSE_PLAYBACK_BUFFER |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_IMPULSE_PLAYBACK_STREAM |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_IMPULSE_CAPTURE_BUFFER |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_IMPULSE_CAPTURE_STREAM,
-
-	/* combined bit masks (by direction): */
-	LINE6_BITS_PLAYBACK_BUFFER =
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_IMPULSE_PLAYBACK_BUFFER |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_BUFFER |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_MONITOR_PLAYBACK_BUFFER,
-
-	LINE6_BITS_PLAYBACK_STREAM =
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_IMPULSE_PLAYBACK_STREAM |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_STREAM |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_MONITOR_PLAYBACK_STREAM,
-
-	LINE6_BITS_CAPTURE_BUFFER =
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_IMPULSE_CAPTURE_BUFFER |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_BUFFER |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_MONITOR_CAPTURE_BUFFER,
-
-	LINE6_BITS_CAPTURE_STREAM =
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_IMPULSE_CAPTURE_STREAM |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_STREAM |
-	    LINE6_BIT_PCM_MONITOR_CAPTURE_STREAM,
-
-	LINE6_BITS_STREAM =
-	    LINE6_BITS_PLAYBACK_STREAM |
-	    LINE6_BITS_CAPTURE_STREAM
+	LINE6_FLAG_PAUSE_PLAYBACK,
+	LINE6_FLAG_PREPARED,
 };
 
 struct line6_pcm_properties {
@@ -205,6 +129,12 @@ struct line6_pcm_stream {
 	 */
 	spinlock_t lock;
 
+	/* Bit flags for operational stream types */
+	unsigned long opened;
+
+	/* Bit flags for running stream types */
+	unsigned long running;
+
 	int last_frame;
 };
 
@@ -224,6 +154,9 @@ struct snd_line6_pcm {
 	*/
 	struct snd_pcm *pcm;
 
+	/* protection to state changes of in/out streams */
+	struct mutex state_mutex;
+
 	/* Capture and playback streams */
 	struct line6_pcm_stream in;
 	struct line6_pcm_stream out;
@@ -269,7 +202,7 @@ struct snd_line6_pcm {
 	int impulse_count;
 
 	/**
-		 Several status bits (see LINE6_BIT_*).
+		 Several status bits (see LINE6_FLAG_*).
 	*/
 	unsigned long flags;
 };
@@ -278,8 +211,11 @@ extern int line6_init_pcm(struct usb_line6 *line6,
 			  struct line6_pcm_properties *properties);
 extern int snd_line6_trigger(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream, int cmd);
 extern int snd_line6_prepare(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream);
+extern int snd_line6_hw_params(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream,
+			       struct snd_pcm_hw_params *hw_params);
+extern int snd_line6_hw_free(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream);
 extern void line6_pcm_disconnect(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm);
-extern int line6_pcm_acquire(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm, int channels);
-extern int line6_pcm_release(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm, int channels);
+extern int line6_pcm_acquire(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm, int type);
+extern void line6_pcm_release(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm, int type);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/sound/usb/line6/playback.c b/sound/usb/line6/playback.c
index 24226592914590..f8b04e2d36b3d7 100644
--- a/sound/usb/line6/playback.c
+++ b/sound/usb/line6/playback.c
@@ -194,8 +194,8 @@ static int submit_audio_out_urb(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm)
 	urb_out->transfer_buffer_length = urb_size;
 	urb_out->context = line6pcm;
 
-	if (test_bit(LINE6_INDEX_PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_STREAM, &line6pcm->flags) &&
-	    !test_bit(LINE6_INDEX_PAUSE_PLAYBACK, &line6pcm->flags)) {
+	if (test_bit(LINE6_STREAM_PCM, &line6pcm->out.running) &&
+	    !test_bit(LINE6_FLAG_PAUSE_PLAYBACK, &line6pcm->flags)) {
 		struct snd_pcm_runtime *runtime =
 		    get_substream(line6pcm, SNDRV_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK)->runtime;
 
@@ -239,11 +239,10 @@ static int submit_audio_out_urb(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm)
 
 	spin_lock_nested(&line6pcm->in.lock, SINGLE_DEPTH_NESTING);
 	if (line6pcm->prev_fbuf) {
-		if (line6pcm->flags & LINE6_BITS_PCM_IMPULSE) {
+		if (test_bit(LINE6_STREAM_IMPULSE, &line6pcm->out.running)) {
 			create_impulse_test_signal(line6pcm, urb_out,
 						   bytes_per_frame);
-			if (line6pcm->flags &
-			    LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_CAPTURE_STREAM) {
+			if (test_bit(LINE6_STREAM_PCM, &line6pcm->in.running)) {
 				line6_capture_copy(line6pcm,
 						   urb_out->transfer_buffer,
 						   urb_out->
@@ -252,11 +251,8 @@ static int submit_audio_out_urb(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm)
 					urb_out->transfer_buffer_length);
 			}
 		} else {
-			if (!
-			    (line6pcm->line6->
-			     properties->capabilities & LINE6_CAP_HWMON)
-			    && (line6pcm->flags & LINE6_BITS_PLAYBACK_STREAM)
-			    && (line6pcm->flags & LINE6_BITS_CAPTURE_STREAM))
+			if (!(line6pcm->line6->properties->capabilities & LINE6_CAP_HWMON)
+			    && line6pcm->out.running && line6pcm->in.running)
 				add_monitor_signal(urb_out, line6pcm->prev_fbuf,
 						   line6pcm->volume_monitor,
 						   bytes_per_frame);
@@ -279,20 +275,18 @@ static int submit_audio_out_urb(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm)
 
 /*
 	Submit all currently available playback URBs.
-*/
+	must be called in line6pcm->out.lock context
+ */
 int line6_submit_audio_out_all_urbs(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm)
 {
-	unsigned long flags;
 	int ret = 0, i;
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&line6pcm->out.lock, flags);
 	for (i = 0; i < LINE6_ISO_BUFFERS; ++i) {
 		ret = submit_audio_out_urb(line6pcm);
 		if (ret < 0)
 			break;
 	}
 
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&line6pcm->out.lock, flags);
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -326,7 +320,7 @@ static void audio_out_callback(struct urb *urb)
 
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&line6pcm->out.lock, flags);
 
-	if (test_bit(LINE6_INDEX_PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_STREAM, &line6pcm->flags)) {
+	if (test_bit(LINE6_STREAM_PCM, &line6pcm->out.running)) {
 		struct snd_pcm_runtime *runtime = substream->runtime;
 
 		line6pcm->out.pos_done +=
@@ -350,8 +344,7 @@ static void audio_out_callback(struct urb *urb)
 	if (!shutdown) {
 		submit_audio_out_urb(line6pcm);
 
-		if (test_bit(LINE6_INDEX_PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_STREAM,
-			     &line6pcm->flags)) {
+		if (test_bit(LINE6_STREAM_PCM, &line6pcm->out.running)) {
 			line6pcm->out.bytes += length;
 			if (line6pcm->out.bytes >= line6pcm->out.period) {
 				line6pcm->out.bytes %= line6pcm->out.period;
@@ -387,79 +380,6 @@ static int snd_line6_playback_close(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-/* hw_params playback callback */
-static int snd_line6_playback_hw_params(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream,
-					struct snd_pcm_hw_params *hw_params)
-{
-	int ret;
-	struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm = snd_pcm_substream_chip(substream);
-
-	ret = line6_pcm_acquire(line6pcm, LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_BUFFER);
-
-	if (ret < 0)
-		return ret;
-
-	ret = snd_pcm_lib_malloc_pages(substream,
-				       params_buffer_bytes(hw_params));
-	if (ret < 0) {
-		line6_pcm_release(line6pcm, LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_BUFFER);
-		return ret;
-	}
-
-	line6pcm->out.period = params_period_bytes(hw_params);
-	return 0;
-}
-
-/* hw_free playback callback */
-static int snd_line6_playback_hw_free(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream)
-{
-	struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm = snd_pcm_substream_chip(substream);
-
-	line6_pcm_release(line6pcm, LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_BUFFER);
-	return snd_pcm_lib_free_pages(substream);
-}
-
-/* trigger playback callback */
-int snd_line6_playback_trigger(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm, int cmd)
-{
-	int err;
-
-	switch (cmd) {
-	case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_START:
-	case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_RESUME:
-		err = line6_pcm_acquire(line6pcm,
-					LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_STREAM);
-
-		if (err < 0)
-			return err;
-
-		break;
-
-	case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_STOP:
-	case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_SUSPEND:
-		err = line6_pcm_release(line6pcm,
-					LINE6_BIT_PCM_ALSA_PLAYBACK_STREAM);
-
-		if (err < 0)
-			return err;
-
-		break;
-
-	case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_PAUSE_PUSH:
-		set_bit(LINE6_INDEX_PAUSE_PLAYBACK, &line6pcm->flags);
-		break;
-
-	case SNDRV_PCM_TRIGGER_PAUSE_RELEASE:
-		clear_bit(LINE6_INDEX_PAUSE_PLAYBACK, &line6pcm->flags);
-		break;
-
-	default:
-		return -EINVAL;
-	}
-
-	return 0;
-}
-
 /* playback pointer callback */
 static snd_pcm_uframes_t
 snd_line6_playback_pointer(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream)
@@ -474,8 +394,8 @@ struct snd_pcm_ops snd_line6_playback_ops = {
 	.open = snd_line6_playback_open,
 	.close = snd_line6_playback_close,
 	.ioctl = snd_pcm_lib_ioctl,
-	.hw_params = snd_line6_playback_hw_params,
-	.hw_free = snd_line6_playback_hw_free,
+	.hw_params = snd_line6_hw_params,
+	.hw_free = snd_line6_hw_free,
 	.prepare = snd_line6_prepare,
 	.trigger = snd_line6_trigger,
 	.pointer = snd_line6_playback_pointer,
diff --git a/sound/usb/line6/playback.h b/sound/usb/line6/playback.h
index f6a9e18f87b6f0..51fce29e87269b 100644
--- a/sound/usb/line6/playback.h
+++ b/sound/usb/line6/playback.h
@@ -31,6 +31,5 @@ extern struct snd_pcm_ops snd_line6_playback_ops;
 
 extern int line6_create_audio_out_urbs(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm);
 extern int line6_submit_audio_out_all_urbs(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm);
-extern int snd_line6_playback_trigger(struct snd_line6_pcm *line6pcm, int cmd);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/sound/usb/line6/toneport.c b/sound/usb/line6/toneport.c
index 33d16ecf18a0a6..61fa6256d7b0e8 100644
--- a/sound/usb/line6/toneport.c
+++ b/sound/usb/line6/toneport.c
@@ -189,9 +189,9 @@ static int snd_toneport_monitor_put(struct snd_kcontrol *kcontrol,
 	line6pcm->volume_monitor = ucontrol->value.integer.value[0];
 
 	if (line6pcm->volume_monitor > 0)
-		line6_pcm_acquire(line6pcm, LINE6_BITS_PCM_MONITOR);
+		line6_pcm_acquire(line6pcm, LINE6_STREAM_MONITOR);
 	else
-		line6_pcm_release(line6pcm, LINE6_BITS_PCM_MONITOR);
+		line6_pcm_release(line6pcm, LINE6_STREAM_MONITOR);
 
 	return 1;
 }
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ static void toneport_start_pcm(unsigned long arg)
 	struct usb_line6_toneport *toneport = (struct usb_line6_toneport *)arg;
 	struct usb_line6 *line6 = &toneport->line6;
 
-	line6_pcm_acquire(line6->line6pcm, LINE6_BITS_PCM_MONITOR);
+	line6_pcm_acquire(line6->line6pcm, LINE6_STREAM_MONITOR);
 }
 
 /* control definition */