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{{DISPLAYTITLE: Music Players}}{{TopicConfiguration|float:right;}}Linux uses '''Advanced Linux Sound Architecture''' (ALSA) for music playback. ALSA in tandem with direct audio hardware access give you audio quality that will surpass that of Windows or OS X out of the box. Despite this superiority few are adopting Linux as their OS of choice. Linux can be a beast that's difficult to tame.
{{DISPLAYTITLE: Music Players}}{{TopicConfiguration|float:right;}}Linux uses '''Advanced Linux Sound Architecture''' (ALSA) for music playback.


Snakeoil OS attempts to break this barrier by making it easy for you install music software. Here you can select the music player and audio output device you want for music playback. This page will only show music players that are installed on your Snakeoil OS PC.
ALSA in tandem with direct audio hardware access prives audio quality that will surpass that of Windows or OS X out of the box. Despite this superiority few audiophiles are adopting Linux as their OS of choice. For many Linux is a beast that's difficult to tame!


Any players that were running previously will be automatically stopped when you select and start new players. This ensures only the right players are running, thus preventing unnecessary wastage of system resources, or potential conflicts and other random oddities.
Snakeoil OS attempts to bridge this gap and break the barrier by making it easy for you install and try out the various excellent music software that's freely available in the Linux ecosystem.  
 
In the ''music player'' page of the Snakeoil WebApp, you can easily choose the music player and the associated audio output device with a few easy clicks. The GUI will abstract you from all the complications one usually associated with the Linux world.


Using Linux for music playback has never been this easy. The following music players come pre-installed for every Snakeoil PC:
==Software Player Available In Free Edition==
The following music players comes pre-installed for every Snakeoil PC:


# Music Player Daemon (MPD):
#Music Player Daemon (MPD):
#* v 0.17
#*0.21
#* 0.18 (with DSD-RT patches)
#*0.22
#* 0.19
#*0.23
#* 0.20
#Logitech Media Server
#* 0.21
#Squeezelite:
#* upmpdcli + MPD 0.21
#*1.6.4
# Logitech Media Server
#*1.8
# Squeezelite:
#*R2
#* 1.6.4-test
#*Ralph
#* 1.8
#* R2
#* Ralph
# XMMS


==Additional Software Player Installable In Activated Edition==
If you are using the activated edition of Snakeoil, the following music players can be added from the Snakeoil menu or by dropping the installation file into the ''install'' box in System menu.
If you are using the activated edition of Snakeoil, the following music players can be added from the Snakeoil menu or by dropping the installation file into the ''install'' box in System menu.


# Clementine
#Clementine
# JRiver:
#deadbeef
#* MediaCenter 22
#qmmp
#* MediaCenter 23
#HQPlayer
#* MediaCenter 24
#HQPlayer NAA
# Plex Media Server
#RoonBridge
# deadbeef
#RoonServer
# qmmp
#Spotify Connect
# HQPlayer
#Minimserver
# RoonBridge
#Upmpdcli
# minimserver
#And more....
# RoonServer
# NAA
# Spotify Connect


Snakeoil PCs running the free edition can also add these players by logging in to the Snakeoil PC (console or shell). Note also the free edition supports one audio device only.
Snakeoil PCs running the free edition can also add these players by logging in to the Snakeoil PC (console or shell). Note also the free edition supports one audio device only.
Any players that were running previously will be automatically stopped when you select and start new players. This ensures only the right players are running, thus preventing unnecessary wastage of system resources, or potential conflicts and other random oddities.


Unfortunately activated or free, some software will require additional configuration outside this Web App. This will be discussed in detail in the next chapter.
Unfortunately activated or free, some software will require additional configuration outside this Web App. This will be discussed in detail in the next chapter.
[[File:Music player2.jpg|center|thumb|900x900px|Music player]]
The above shows the music players page - broken down into 4 sections: Software, Output Devices, Available Music Software and  Configuration of player. This page we will explain the UI of selecting and configuring the audio output. For a more in depth look into individual music players, please refer to the next chapter - How To Play Music.


The above shows the music players page - broken down into 4 sections: Software State, Music Servers Music Clients, ALSA Output Devices and ALSA Configuration. This page we will explain the UI of selecting and configuring the audio output. For a more indepth look into individual music players, please refer to the next chapter - How To Play Music.
==Software==
This panel shows the current music player(s) that are running in your Snakeoil PC.
[[File:Software.jpg|center|thumb|500x500px|Music Player - State Running]]
<br />


== Software State ==
*'''Status'':''<nowiki/> '''A green tick will be showing when running.  If it is a red cross, please look at the log.
This panel shows the current music players that are running in your Snakeoil PC.
*'''Name''': M'''<nowiki/>'''usic player currently running
*'''Remot'''<nowiki/>'''e'''<nowiki/>: Some setups include a web based remote control (e.g. LMS or MPD). When one is detected it will be shown. Y<nowiki/>o<nowiki/>u can click <nowiki/>o<nowiki/>n the link to start the web remote.
*'''Logs''': If there is an error with the music player, click of the log which may help solving the problem. Otherwise, please post issue on the SnakeOil forum.


* '''Server''': The Process ID (PID) of the primary music player responsible for organising and queue music. The running server software will be selected in the '''Music Servers''<nowiki/>' section.
== Output Devices ==
* '''Client''': The PID of the secondary software that communicates to a music server to play music (e.g. Squeezelite). The running client software will be selected in the '''Music Clients''<nowiki/>' section.
Below the fields are all the audio output devices that are currently detected by Snakeoil OS. The sample rate will b e displayed if the device is playing music. You can use this information to ascertain if you are outputting 'bit perfect' audio to your device. The information in this status may not be up to date as it is only shown on demand. You can click the 'reload' button on the top right to get the latest update.
* '''Remote Control''': Some setups include a web based remote control (e.g. LMS or MPD). When one is detected it will be shown. You can click on the link to start the web remote.
[[File:Output devices.jpg|center|thumb|500x500px|Music Player - in use]]


Below the three fields are all the audio output devices that are currently detected by Snakeoil OS. The sample rate will b e displayed if the device is playing music. You can use this information to ascertain if you are outputting 'bit perfect' audio to your device. The information in this status may not be up to date as it is only shown on demand. You can click the 'reload' button on the top right to get the latest update.
==Available Music Software==
Here you'd find a list of software players.
[[File:Avaialble music software basic.jpg|center|thumb|600x600px|Music Player - Software (Basic)]]
This is the easiest way to start. Just select one of the above options, configure the player (see below) and save.


Depending on your software selection, the Server or Client fields will display the words '<nowiki/>''Not Applicable''<nowiki/>'. For example, MPD don't require a client to function, so when you select MPD the client entry will be '''Not Applicable''<nowiki/>'. This is normal behaviour.


In rare situations, the music player software will fail to start, or crash midway. When that happens the text '''Cannot Start Server' will be shown'' . You can click on the red text to read the error logs. This will add in identifying the cause of the problem.
If you click on the top right hand side, there are more players available. In the Expert panel, you have the option of selecting a version of the music player (they can sound different!) as well as the combinations to use.  
[[File:Available music software expert.jpg|center|thumb|600x600px|Music Player - Software (Expert)]]


== Music Servers/Clients ==
Here you'd find a list of software players - categorised into '<nowiki/>''servers'<nowiki/>'' and '<nowiki/>''clients'<nowiki/>''. '''Music Clients''<nowiki/>' panel only shows up if the music server you selected requires one. For example, LMS requires an additional music client to run, so when you select LMS as your music server, you'd be asked to pick a client because LMS requires a client. MPD do not so this client panel will not be available when you use this player.


Each Snakeoil PC is designed to only start up to one server and/or one client at any one time. If you want to switch players you need to make your selection in here and click the 'Restart player(s)' button. This setup will be saved so your last selected player(s) will automatically start up on reboot.
Here, there are 3 software components in use (in an Activated setup).
[[File:Avaialble music software upmpdcli.jpg|center|thumb|600x600px|Music Player - upmpdcli]]


Some players have icons at the end of it's name. The following icon (notepad with pencil) denotes audio configuration is not handled by Snakeoil OS. In other words, you need configure audio output and media source by changing them from the software's user interface.


The second icon means the software is GUI based. The GUI is shown in a remote VNC session. This will be further explained in the chapter Logging In.
You can use the flexibility of SnakeOil to run a 2 PC setup. For example one high power, high storage machine for LMS, and one low power machine for Squeezelite.


Activated editions of the Snakeoil OS gives you the option to disable server or client panel. You can use this to run a 2 PC setup, for example one high power, high storage machine for LMS, and one low power machine for Squeezelite.
==Configuration of player==
If you are find no audio playing, or if the volume is too low, you can try and click the button '''Set Volume to 100%''<nowiki/>' and see if that helps.
[[File:Set volume.jpg|center|thumb|200x200px|Music Player - set volume]]


== ALSA Status ==
This panel gives you a quick overview about your audio devices. If you are find no audio playing, or if the volume is too low, you can try and click the first command '<nowiki/>''Set Volume to 100%''<nowiki/>' and see if that helps. Otherwise, you can click on any of the '''Add Device''<nowiki/>' button to create an entry in the configuration panel.


When you click on '<nowiki/>''Add Device''<nowiki/>', it will immediately be changed to '''In use''<nowiki/>'. Click on this button to stop using the device - the corresponding entry will be removed from the configuration panel.
Many of the players require further setup.
[[File:Config player.jpg|center|thumb|500x500px|Music Player - ALSA Device Configuration]]


== ALSA Configuration ==
A matching entry will show in this panel every time you click on an '<nowiki/>''Add Device''<nowiki/>' button in the '''ALSA Status''<nowiki/>' panel.


Here's a brief description of the fields:
Here's a brief description of the fields:


* '''Delete button''': Click the trash can button to remove the entry
*'''Audio Output''': Select the hardware output to use
* '''Name''': The name field is the name that usually appear in your player user interface. Use a descriptive name if you are using more than 1 audio device
*'''Custom Audio Output''': This allows advanced users to further customise the output.
* '''Streaming Mode:''' Select 'DSD over PCM (DoP) Support' if your audio device is a DSD DAC. Select this also if you are going to use mpd-dsd-rt and add the ''native_dsd_type'' option in the ''extra options'' box. For other DACs, select PCM mode. DSD material will be converted to PCM via software and sent to the audio card. WARNING: Do not use DoP if your audio card is not a DSD DAC as damage to your system may occur.
*'''Streaming Mode:''' Select 'DSD over PCM (DoP) Support' if your audio device is a DSD DAC. Select this also if you are going to use mpd-dsd-rt and add the ''native_dsd_type'' option in the ''extra options'' box. For other DACs, select PCM mode. DSD material will be converted to PCM via software and sent to the audio card. WARNING: Do not use DoP if your audio card is not a DSD DAC as damage to your system may occur.
* '''Options:''' Here you can specify additional parameters to tweak the selected software. Refer to the '''Extra Options''<nowiki/>' section later in this chapter for more information.
*'''Options:'<nowiki/>'' Here you can specify additional parameters to tweak the selected software. Refer to the '''''<nowiki/>''Extra Options''<nowiki/>' section later in this chapter for more information.
{{ManualNavigation|[[Configuration]]
{{ManualNavigation|[[Configuration]]
|[[configuration/music-library|Music Library]]
|[[configuration/music-library|Music Library]]
|[[configuration/system|System]]
|[[configuration/system|System]]
}}
}}
[[Category:Configuration]]

Latest revision as of 13:11, 22 December 2022

 Configuration

Linux uses Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA) for music playback.

ALSA in tandem with direct audio hardware access prives audio quality that will surpass that of Windows or OS X out of the box. Despite this superiority few audiophiles are adopting Linux as their OS of choice. For many Linux is a beast that's difficult to tame!

Snakeoil OS attempts to bridge this gap and break the barrier by making it easy for you install and try out the various excellent music software that's freely available in the Linux ecosystem.

In the music player page of the Snakeoil WebApp, you can easily choose the music player and the associated audio output device with a few easy clicks. The GUI will abstract you from all the complications one usually associated with the Linux world.

Software Player Available In Free Edition

The following music players comes pre-installed for every Snakeoil PC:

  1. Music Player Daemon (MPD):
    • 0.21
    • 0.22
    • 0.23
  2. Logitech Media Server
  3. Squeezelite:
    • 1.6.4
    • 1.8
    • R2
    • Ralph

Additional Software Player Installable In Activated Edition

If you are using the activated edition of Snakeoil, the following music players can be added from the Snakeoil menu or by dropping the installation file into the install box in System menu.

  1. Clementine
  2. deadbeef
  3. qmmp
  4. HQPlayer
  5. HQPlayer NAA
  6. RoonBridge
  7. RoonServer
  8. Spotify Connect
  9. Minimserver
  10. Upmpdcli
  11. And more....

Snakeoil PCs running the free edition can also add these players by logging in to the Snakeoil PC (console or shell). Note also the free edition supports one audio device only.

Any players that were running previously will be automatically stopped when you select and start new players. This ensures only the right players are running, thus preventing unnecessary wastage of system resources, or potential conflicts and other random oddities.

Unfortunately activated or free, some software will require additional configuration outside this Web App. This will be discussed in detail in the next chapter.

Music player

The above shows the music players page - broken down into 4 sections: Software, Output Devices, Available Music Software and Configuration of player. This page we will explain the UI of selecting and configuring the audio output. For a more in depth look into individual music players, please refer to the next chapter - How To Play Music.

Software

This panel shows the current music player(s) that are running in your Snakeoil PC.

Music Player - State Running


  • Status: A green tick will be showing when running. If it is a red cross, please look at the log.
  • Name: Music player currently running
  • Remote: Some setups include a web based remote control (e.g. LMS or MPD). When one is detected it will be shown. You can click on the link to start the web remote.
  • Logs: If there is an error with the music player, click of the log which may help solving the problem. Otherwise, please post issue on the SnakeOil forum.

Output Devices

Below the fields are all the audio output devices that are currently detected by Snakeoil OS. The sample rate will b e displayed if the device is playing music. You can use this information to ascertain if you are outputting 'bit perfect' audio to your device. The information in this status may not be up to date as it is only shown on demand. You can click the 'reload' button on the top right to get the latest update.

Music Player - in use

Available Music Software

Here you'd find a list of software players.

Music Player - Software (Basic)

This is the easiest way to start. Just select one of the above options, configure the player (see below) and save.


If you click on the top right hand side, there are more players available. In the Expert panel, you have the option of selecting a version of the music player (they can sound different!) as well as the combinations to use.

Music Player - Software (Expert)


Here, there are 3 software components in use (in an Activated setup).

Music Player - upmpdcli


You can use the flexibility of SnakeOil to run a 2 PC setup. For example one high power, high storage machine for LMS, and one low power machine for Squeezelite.

Configuration of player

If you are find no audio playing, or if the volume is too low, you can try and click the button 'Set Volume to 100%' and see if that helps.

Music Player - set volume


Many of the players require further setup.

Music Player - ALSA Device Configuration


Here's a brief description of the fields:

  • Audio Output: Select the hardware output to use
  • Custom Audio Output: This allows advanced users to further customise the output.
  • Streaming Mode: Select 'DSD over PCM (DoP) Support' if your audio device is a DSD DAC. Select this also if you are going to use mpd-dsd-rt and add the native_dsd_type option in the extra options box. For other DACs, select PCM mode. DSD material will be converted to PCM via software and sent to the audio card. WARNING: Do not use DoP if your audio card is not a DSD DAC as damage to your system may occur.
  • Options:' Here you can specify additional parameters to tweak the selected software. Refer to the Extra Options' section later in this chapter for more information.

 Main   Configuration    Music Library   System

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