How to Install Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

Introduction

Before we discuss how to install Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04, let's briefly understand-What is Audacious?

Audacious is a lightweight and feature-rich audio player that provides a simple and intuitive user interface. This open-source audio player is celebrated for its harmonious blend of efficiency, adaptability, and advanced features.

This tutorial will walk you through the process of installing Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04.

Advantages

  1. Lightweight and Fast: Audacious is known for its lightweight nature, consuming minimal system resources. It runs efficiently even on older or low-specification machines, allowing you to enjoy your music without any lag or slowdown.
  2. Wide Range of Audio Format Support: Audacious supports a vast array of audio formats, including popular ones like MP3, FLAC, AAC, OGG, and more. You can play your music library without the need for additional codecs or plugins.
  3. Extensible with Plugins: Audacious offers a plugin system that extends its functionality. You can enhance your audio experience by adding visualizations, effects, additional format support, and more through the available plugins.
  4. Flexible and Customizable Interface: Audacious provides customizable options, allowing you to tailor the interface to your preferences. You can choose different themes, color schemes, and icon sets, creating a personalized look and feel.
  5. Playlist Management: Audacious offers robust playlist management capabilities. You can create, edit, and manage playlists within the application, making it easy to organize and play your music collections seamlessly.

Install Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04 via APT

Step 1: Refreshing Ubuntu Packages Before Audacious Installation

The commencement of this process involves a crucial pre-installation practice. To ensure the seamless installation of Audacious, you need to have all your existing packages up-to-date. This step maintains the health and security of your system.

sudo apt update

Upon successful completion of the update, we execute the upgrade command. This will install the latest versions of all your installed packages, ensuring your system runs on the most recent and secure software.

sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04 via APT Command

Method 1: Install Audacious from Ubuntu’s APT Repository

The Ubuntu default repository is optimal for users seeking a stable, secure, and straightforward installation. It’s compatible with all currently supported Ubuntu versions, including LTS and short-term releases. The following command will install Audacious and its associated plugins from the Ubuntu repository:

sudo apt install audacious audacious-plugins

For development purposes or to access additional features, you can also install the development package using the subsequent command:

sudo apt install audacious-dev

Method 2: Installation of Audacious via PPA

Installing the software from a Personal Package Archive (PPA) is advisable to benefit from a more recent version of Audacious. A well-maintained PPA hosted by PandaJim is an excellent choice in this regard. PandaJim is a reputable figure within the Ubuntu community, known for his instructive Ubuntu tutorial blog, UbuntuHandbook.

In the first instance, we incorporate the PPA into our system:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps -y

Take note, this PPA also contains several other updated apps as a perk.

Having added the PPA, the next task is to update the APT package list to reflect the new software sources:

sudo apt update

Even if you already have Audacious installed via the Ubuntu repository, using the following command for installation is recommended. It ensures the PPA version overrides the previously installed version:

sudo apt install audacious audacious-plugins

Again, for users needing development capabilities, the development package can be installed as follows:

sudo apt install audacious-dev

Install Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04 via Snap

Snap is an efficient and intuitive mechanism for software deployment and management. This section elucidates the steps to install Audacious using Snap.

Step 1: Verifying Snap’s Presence on Your System For Audacious

Snap, conceived by Canonical (the creators of Ubuntu), is a software deployment and package management system. It is generally pre-installed on your Ubuntu system unless manually removed.

If Snap is absent from your system due to prior removal or other reasons, you can reintroduce it using the subsequent command. This command reinstalls the Snap Daemon (snapd), responsible for overseeing your snaps in the background.

sudo apt install snapd -y

Step 2: Activating Classic Snap Support For Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

Specific packages deploy the ‘classic’ confinement, which empowers the snap with system resource access, much like traditionally packaged applications. To ensure optimal compatibility and smooth operation of such packages, we recommend creating a symbolic link (symlink) to enable classic snap support. The following command helps you achieve that:

sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap

Step 3: Incorporating Core Snap

Before installing Audacious, installing the ‘core’ snap is prudent. The core snap provides the basic libraries and services every snap relies upon. Installing it can aid in circumventing potential conflicts and issues. The command to install the core snap is as follows:

sudo snap install core

Step 4: Install Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04 via Snap

With the requisite prerequisites, you are now equipped to install Audacious. This can be accomplished by executing the following command:

sudo snap install audacious

In this command, sudo provides you with administrative privileges, snap summons the Snap package handler, install is the command to install a package, and ‘audacious’ is the package we intend to install.

Install Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04 via Flatpak and Flathub

This section provides insights into an alternative installation method for Audacious, utilizing the Flatpak package manager. Flatpak, similar to Snap, offers isolated software deployments and an all-encompassing runtime environment, enabling applications to run on virtually any Linux distribution.

Step 1: Activate Flathub For Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

Before initiating the Audacious installation through Flatpak, you must activate the Flathub repository, a significant resource for Flatpak applications. To enable Flathub, execute the subsequent command in your terminal:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

This command incorporates the Flathub repository into your Flatpak configuration, thus providing access to a broad array of applications, including Audacious.

Step 2: Install Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04 via Flatpak Command

Once Flathub is enabled, you can install Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 using the flatpak install command. Execute the following command in your terminal:

flatpak install flathub org.atheme.audacious -y

This command facilitates the installation of Audacious from the Flathub repository, ensuring you receive the most recent version of the application.

Initiating Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

Upon successful installation of Audacious, you have multiple avenues for its initiation. These methods span from using command-line interface commands to navigating through the graphical user interface.

CLI Launch Method for Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

To launch Audacious after installing it via APT, you can enter the following command into your terminal:

audacious

This instruction will call up the application to run on your system.

If you have installed Audacious using Snap, the corresponding command to launch the application differs slightly. To initiate Audacious, key in the following command:

snap run audacious

If you have installed Audacious through Flatpak, use this command to run it:

flatpak run org.atheme.audacious

GUI Launch Method for Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

Audacious can also be initiated through Ubuntu’s Graphical User Interface for those who prefer a more visual interaction. You can find Audacious within your installed applications by following this path:

Activities > Show Applications > Audacious.

In the Activities overview, you will see icons representing your installed applications. Click on Show Applications at the bottom of the screen. This will display all the applications installed on your system. Navigate through the list or use the search function to locate Audacious. Once found, click on the Audacious icon to launch the application.

Tips for Getting Started with Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

While Audacious is a powerful and flexible music player for Linux systems, like any application, it requires a certain degree of familiarization. Therefore, to ensure your experience is smooth and rewarding, here are some tips to assist you in getting started with Audacious.

General Tips for Using Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

  • Explore the Interface: Familiarize yourself with the user interface. The Audacious interface is highly customizable and can be switched between a classic Winamp-style and a more modern GTK-themed interface.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Harness the power of keyboard shortcuts to enhance your experience. For instance, use Ctrl + L to open a URL, Ctrl + D to open the playlist manager, and Ctrl + P to open the settings dialog.
  • Right-click Options: Right-click on the playlist to access a wealth of options, including sorting, adding or removing songs, and even burning the playlist to a disk.

General Tips for Using Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

  • Explore the Interface: Familiarize yourself with the user interface. The Audacious interface is highly customizable and can be switched between a classic Winamp-style and a more modern GTK-themed interface.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Harness the power of keyboard shortcuts to enhance your experience. For instance, use Ctrl + L to open a URL, Ctrl + D to open the playlist manager, and Ctrl + P to open the settings dialog.
  • Right-click Options: Right-click on the playlist to access a wealth of options, including sorting, adding or removing songs, and even burning the playlist to a disk.

Customizing Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

Audacious is renowned for its customizability. Here are a few ways you can tailor the application to your preferences:

  • Themes: Use Ctrl + P to open the settings dialog. You can select thetab from there to access various themes and visualizations.
  • Plugins: Audacious supports a variety of plugins to extend its functionality. Navigate to File > Settings > Plugins to manage them.
  • Interface Layout: Customize the interface layout by selecting View > Interface Layout from the menu bar.

Other Useful Tips for Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

Here are a few other tips that you might find helpful:

  • Streaming Audio: Audacious supports audio streaming. To stream, use Ctrl + L to open the URL dialog and paste into your stream’s URL.
  • Creating Playlists: Creating playlists is straightforward in Audacious. You can add files to a playlist with Ctrl + O or create a new playlist with Ctrl + N.
audtool playlist-addurl [URL]

This command adds a URL to the current playlist.

Additional Commands for Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

Managing any application on your Ubuntu system, including Audacious, is as important as the installation itself. This process involves updating the software regularly and, if necessary, removing it. We will explore how you can effectively manage Audacious on your Ubuntu Linux machine.

Update Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

Staying up-to-date with software updates ensures access to the latest features and improvements and helps maintain system security. Here’s how to update Audacious via different methods:

APT Update Method for Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

Desktop users usually receive notifications to update their applications through a graphic interface. However, to ensure that your system and Audacious are updated, it’s recommended to run the following commands in your terminal:

sudo apt update

This command fetches the latest updates for all packages installed via the APT method.

Next, execute the command below to upgrade any outdated packages:

sudo apt upgrade

Snap Update Method for Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

For Audacious installed via the Snap method, use the following command to fetch and apply the latest updates:

sudo snap refresh

Flatpak Update Method for Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

If you’ve installed Audacious using Flatpak, the following command will help you keep the software updated:

sudo flatpak update

Remove Audacious from Ubuntu 22.04

If you need to uninstall Audacious from your system, your chosen method would depend on how the software was installed. Below are the removal steps for each method:

APT Remove Method for Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

To uninstall Audacious installed from the Ubuntu repository, use the following command:

sudo apt remove audacious audacious-plugins

If you installed Audacious via a PPA, you should remove it to clean up your system. However, if you’re using the same PPA for other applications, you might want to skip this step:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps -y

Snap Remove Method for Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

To remove Audacious installed using the Snap method, run the following command:

sudo snap remove audacious

Flatpak Remove Method for Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

To remove Audacious, which was installed using Flatpak, execute the following command:

sudo flatpak uninstall org.atheme.audacious

FAQs to Install Audacious on Ubuntu 22.04

Can I install Audacious from the Ubuntu Software Center? 

Yes, you can search for Audacious in the Ubuntu Software Center and install it from there. The steps are similar to using the terminal (updating the repository and installing).

How do I launch Audacious after installation? 

Audacious should be automatically added to your application's menu. You can launch Audacious by searching for it in the applications menu or by using the terminal command audacious.

Can Audacious play files from my music library? 

Yes, Audacious can play audio files stored in your music library. You can navigate to your music directory within Audacious and play the files directly.

Does Audacious support playlists? 

Yes, Audacious supports playlists. You can create and manage playlists within the application.

Can I customize the appearance of Audacious? 

Yes, Audacious provides options to customize its appearance, including different themes, color schemes, and icon sets.

Can I install plugins in Audacious? 

Yes, Audacious has a plugin system that allows you to extend its functionality. You can install plugins for additional audio format support, visualizations, effects, and more.

Can I import my music playlists from other media players into Audacious? 

Yes, Audacious supports importing playlists from various formats, including M3U, PLS, XSPF, and more. You can import your existing playlists into Audacious for seamless playback.

Conclusion

We have explained how to install audacious on ubuntu 22.04 in this tutorial.

If you have any queries, let us know in the comments section, and we would be happy to answer to them.....