How to Use the Command 'audacious' (with examples)
Audacious is a versatile, open-source audio player that provides users with a wide range of functionalities suitable for music enthusiasts, regular listeners, and advanced users alike. It offers features spanning simple music playback to more advanced control options through command-line interface (CLI) usage. Audacious is particularly valued for its efficiency and support for multiple audio formats. Here, we illustrate several practical use cases for the ‘audacious’ command, showcasing its capabilities through diverse examples.
Use case 1: Launch the GUI
Code:
audacious
Motivation:
Launching Audacious in graphical user interface (GUI) mode is the most straightforward way to start playing music for users who prefer visual interaction. It offers a user-friendly experience with easy access to playlists, equalizer settings, and plug-in management, providing a more intuitive approach to managing audio files and settings.
Explanation:
audacious: This is the base command that launches the Audacious application in its standard mode, which opens up the GUI by default. No additional arguments are required to initiate this operation, making it the quickest way to start the application visually.
Example output:
The Audacious window will appear, displaying all interface elements, such as the player controls, playlist, and settings menu, ready for user interaction.
Use case 2: Start a new instance and play an audio
Code:
audacious --new-instance path/to/audio
Motivation:
Starting a new instance to play specific audio is especially useful when you want to play a fresh track or playlist without disturbing an already running instance of Audacious. This provides flexibility for users who multitask between different audio setups or those who may want to separately manage playlists.
Explanation:
--new-instance: This argument ensures that a separate, new session of Audacious is launched. It keeps any currently running instance untouched, thereby minimizing disruptions to existing playlists.path/to/audio: This represents the file path to the specific audio file you wish to play. Replacing “path/to/audio” with the actual file path will ensure that Audacious accesses and starts playing that audio file.
Example output:
A new instance of Audacious will start with the specified audio file queued for immediate playback.
Use case 3: Enqueue a specific directory of audio files
Code:
audacious --enqueue path/to/directory
Motivation:
Enqueuing an entire directory is useful for building a custom playlist based on an existing music folder without manually adding each file. It’s particularly beneficial when dealing with a comprehensive music library structured into folders.
Explanation:
--enqueue: This argument allows users to add an entire directory to an existing playlist rather than playing it immediately. This is beneficial for adjustable playlist management.path/to/directory: This should be replaced by the actual file path to the directory containing audio files you want enqueued into Audacious.
Example output:
All audio files contained within the specified directory will be added to the Audacious playlist, pending to be played.
Use case 4: Start or stop playback
Code:
audacious --play-pause
Motivation:
The ability to toggle playback with a command is invaluable for users who need a quick start and stop functionality without interacting with the GUI. It’s highly efficient for users who incorporate keyboard shortcuts or scripts to control media.
Explanation:
--play-pause: This argument commands Audacious to toggle between play and pause states. If a track is currently playing, it will pause; if it’s paused, playback resumes.
Example output:
The current track being played will pause, or if previously paused, will start playing.
Use case 5: Skip forwards or backwards in the playlist
Code:
audacious --fwd|rew
Motivation:
Skipping tracks is a convenient way of navigating through playlists, allowing users to quickly find a preferred track without needing to visually scan through the track list. This is especially useful in long playlists or shuffled sequences.
Explanation:
--fwd: Moves forward to the next track in the playlist.--rew: Rewinds or moves backward to the previous track in the playlist. Only one of these should be used at a time, not both simultaneously.
Example output:
The current track will either skip forward to the next one or rewind to the previous one, depending on the command used.
Use case 6: Stop playback
Code:
audacious --stop
Motivation:
This command is perfect for users who need to instantly halt all audio output from the player. It is an immediate solution to ceasing playback when transitioning to another task that requires no audio distractions.
Explanation:
--stop: Halts playback of audio immediately, stopping all sound output. This command does not close the application, merely pauses all audio track activity.
Example output:
Current playback will come to an immediate halt, and the application will maintain its current position in the playlist.
Use case 7: Start in CLI mode (headless)
Code:
audacious --headless
Motivation:
CLI mode is ideal for environments where graphical outputs are unnecessary or where minimal system resource usage is desired. This is often used in servers or automated scripts where the focus is on control rather than visual output.
Explanation:
--headless: Launches Audacious without opening the GUI. Operation is strictly through the command line, enabling users to control playback and manage tracks via additional CLI commands.
Example output:
Audacious runs in the background without a GUI, and audio control is maintained through terminal commands.
Use case 8: Exit as soon as playback stops or there is nothing to playback
Code:
audacious --quit-after-play
Motivation:
This command is useful for scripts or users wishing to automate the exit of Audacious upon completion of playbacks, ensuring minimal system resource usage once the intended audio is finished.
Explanation:
--quit-after-play: This flag instructs Audacious to close itself automatically after finishing playback of the current queue or if there is no audio left to play in the list.
Example output:
Audacious will terminate its process immediately after completing the current playback session, saving resources and automating usage clean-up.
Conclusion:
Audacious extends its functionality beyond a simple music player by offering the capability of command-line control. Each use case detailed above highlights how Audacious can be tailored to fit various user needs, from simple graphical usage to complex, resource-efficient command-line operations. Whether you are a casual listener or a power user managing large audio libraries or server-side audio tasks, Audacious stands out as a solid, flexible choice.
