How to Install Audacious on Fedora 39/38/37 Linux

Audacious stands as a testament to audio players’ evolution, combining a lightweight footprint with a robust feature set. Audacious is a top choice for those who prioritize efficiency without compromising on functionality. This guide will demonstrate how to install Audacious on Fedora Linux utilizing two distinct methods: Fedora’s RPM repository and, for those who prefer an alternative approach, the Flatpak with the Flathub repository. Both ways will be explored using command-line instructions, ensuring seamless integration into your Fedora system.

Audacious Main Features:

• High-Quality Audio Playback: Ensures crisp and clear sound across various formats.
• Customizable User Interface: Offers a modern GTK and a classic Winamp-like interface.
• Advanced Playlist Management: Allows easy organization and playback of extensive music libraries.
• Streaming Support: Seamlessly integrates with online radio stations and streams.
• Plugin Support: Enhances functionality with a wide range of available plugins.
• Gapless Playback: Provides uninterrupted listening for consecutive tracks.

Audacious Installation Options – Key Distinctions:

• Fedora’s RPM Repository:
  • Native to Fedora, ensuring optimal compatibility.
  • Direct integration with the system’s package manager.
  • Often receives updates in tandem with the OS.
• Flatpak with the Flathub Repository:
  • It offers a sandboxed environment, enhancing security.
  • Provides a broader range of applications beyond Fedora’s native repository.
  • Ensures consistent performance across different Linux distributions.

As the digital audio landscape evolves, having a reliable and efficient audio player becomes paramount. Audacious, with its rich history and commitment to user-centric design, has proven its mettle in this domain. Whether you’re a seasoned Linux enthusiast or a newcomer eager to optimize your auditory experience, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to integrate Audacious into your Fedora environment seamlessly.

Section 1: Installing Audacious on Fedora Linux

Method 1: Install Audacious via Fedora RPM Repository

Step 1: Update Your Fedora System

Before installing any new software, it’s crucial to ensure your Fedora system is up-to-date. This step guarantees both compatibility and security. To update your Fedora system, execute the following command:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Step 2: Choose and Install the Appropriate Audacious Package

Audacious Main Player:

This is the standard version that most users are familiar with. For general use, this is the recommended package:

sudo dnf install audacious

Audacious Development Files:

These are the development files for those who might want to develop or compile plugins for Audacious:

sudo dnf install audacious-devel

Audacious Libraries:

These are the essential library files for the Audacious audio player:

sudo dnf install audacious-libs

Audacious Plugins:

These are the plugins that enhance the functionality of the Audacious audio player:

sudo dnf install audacious-plugins

Additional Audacious Plugins

While the main plugins package (audacious-plugins) provides a comprehensive set of functionalities; there are specialized plugins available for specific needs:

Future Composer Plugin:

This plugin allows Audacious to play Future Composer tracks:

sudo dnf install audacious-plugin-fc

MIDI Input Plugin:

For those who want to play MIDI files through Audacious:

sudo dnf install audacious-plugins-amidi

Exotic Plugins:

These are optional niche market plugins that can be added to Audacious:

sudo dnf install audacious-plugins-ffaudio

Jack Audio Output Plugin:

For users who utilize the Jack Audio Connection Kit, this plugin allows Audacious to output audio through Jack:

sudo dnf install audacious-plugins-jack

Multi-format Module Playback Plugin:

This plugin, using libxmp, allows Audacious to play a variety of module formats:

sudo dnf install xmp-plugin-audacious

These additional plugins cater to specific needs and can be installed based on user requirements.

Method 2: Install Audacious via Flatpak and Flathub

Step 1: Enable Flathub for Audacious on Fedora

Flatpak’s sandboxed environment ensures that applications run in isolation, enhancing system security. Moreover, Flatpak can sometimes provide access to a broader range of applications than Fedora’s native RPM repository.

To set up Flathub, a significant repository for Flatpak applications, as a source on your system, use the following command:

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

Sometimes, the Flathub repository might get disabled due to specific system conditions. To ensure a smooth installation process, it’s a good practice to verify that Flathub is active:

flatpak remote-modify --enable flathub

With the above command, Flatpak is primed to interact with Flathub, setting the stage for software installations, with Audacious being our focal point.

Step 2: Install Audacious via Flatpak

With Flathub enabled you can proceed to install Audacious. Run the following command to initiate the installation:

flatpak install flathub org.atheme.audacious -y

This command directs Flatpak to fetch and install Audacious from Flathub, ensuring a streamlined installation process.

Section 2: Initiating Audacious on Fedora Linux

Launching Audacious via the Command Line Interface

The Command Line Interface remains a cornerstone of Linux, allowing users to initiate applications without relying on graphical elements. The specific command to launch Audacious will hinge on your chosen installation method, DNF or Flatpak.

For Audacious DNF Method:

If you’ve opted for the DNF method for installation, initiating Audacious is a straightforward process. Execute the following command:

audacious

For Flatpak Audacious Method:

For individuals who’ve installed Audacious via Flatpak, the command will differ slightly due to the unique naming conventions associated with Flatpak installations:

flatpak run org.atheme.audacious

Launching Audacious via the Graphical User Interface

For those who lean towards a visual interaction or might not be inclined to use the CLI, Fedora’s Graphical User Interface offers a user-friendly pathway to launch applications.

To start Audacious using the GUI, follow this sequence:

Activities > Show Applications > Audacious

Section 3: Tips for Getting Started with Audacious on Fedora Linux

Now with Audacious installed, whether you’re a new user or looking to delve deeper into its capabilities, these tips will help you maximize your Audacious experience on Fedora Linux.

General Tips

• Explore the Interface: Familiarize yourself with the Audacious interface. While it’s intuitive, exploring a few minutes can reveal hidden features and shortcuts.
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Audacious supports a range of keyboard shortcuts. For instance, pressing Ctrl + P opens the preferences window, while Ctrl + L allows you to jump to a specific track.
• Customize the Look: Audacious supports various skins. Dive into the settings and experiment with different skins to give your player a personalized touch.

Enhancing Audio Experience

• Equalizer Settings: Audacious comes with a built-in equalizer. Adjust the bands to enhance specific frequencies and tailor the audio output to your liking.
• Streaming Support: Don’t limit yourself to local files. Audacious can stream online radio stations. Simply go to File > Open URL and input the streaming link.

Plugins and Extensions

Audacious thrives on its extensibility. Plugins can significantly enhance its functionality:

• Installing Plugins: Many plugins are available directly from the repository on Fedora. For instance, to install the FFmpeg plugin, use:

sudo dnf install audacious-plugins-ffaudio

• Manage Plugins: Within Audacious, navigate to Preferences > Plugins to enable, disable, or configure any installed plugins.
• Seek Out New Plugins: The Linux community is vibrant, and developers often create new plugins for Audacious. Check forums, GitHub, or the Audacious website for new and exciting additions.

Customizations and Tweaks

• Advanced Settings: Dive into Preferences to explore advanced settings. Here, you can adjust buffer sizes, tweak the user interface, and even set up crossfading between tracks.
• Playlist Management: Audacious offers powerful playlist management features. You can create, save, and manage multiple playlists, ensuring your music is always organized.
• File Format Support: While Audacious supports a wide range of audio formats, ensure you have the necessary codecs installed on your Linux system for the best compatibility.

Section 4: Managing Audacious on Fedora Linux

Managing software on Fedora Linux is a blend of diligence and expertise. For users of Audacious, this translates to ensuring that your software remains current with the latest enhancements and fixes. Moreover, if there comes a time when Audacious no longer aligns with your requirements, it’s essential to know the proper procedure for its removal. This section will elucidate the methods to keep Audacious updated and the steps to uninstall it from Fedora Linux when necessary.

Updating Audacious on Fedora Linux

Consistent software updates are pivotal for maintaining a secure and efficient system. These updates roll out new functionalities and rectify known issues and vulnerabilities. Even if Audacious has mechanisms for automatic updates, it’s prudent to occasionally check that you have the most recent version. The update procedure will vary based on your chosen installation method.

Updating Audacious via DNF

For individuals who utilized DNF for installing Audacious, the following command ensures that all system packages, including Audacious, remain updated:

sudo dnf update --refresh

Updating Audacious via Flatpak

If you’ve installed Audacious using Flatpak, the subsequent command will check and apply any available updates:

flatpak update

Uninstalling Audacious from Fedora Linux

There might arise situations where you decide to uninstall Audacious. Whether it’s due to opting for different software or merely decluttering your system, it’s imperative to grasp the correct uninstallation steps. The method you’ll use for uninstallation will align with your initial installation approach.

Uninstalling Audacious via DNF

If you initiated your Audacious experience via a DNF installation, the following command will uninstall it along with its associated packages:

sudo dnf remove audacious

To ensure a thorough removal, including any user data linked with Audacious, you can execute:

rm -rf ~/.config/audacious

Uninstalling Audacious via Flatpak

For those who chose the Flatpak route for installation, the command below will remove Audacious:

flatpak remove org.atheme.audacious

It’s worth noting that this action will also erase any user-specific configurations or data related to Audacious. As a best practice, always back up essential configurations or data to avoid inadvertent data loss.

Conclusion of Installing Audacious on Fedora Linux

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve navigated the intricacies of installing and managing Audacious on Fedora Linux. From the initial installation to ensuring its optimal performance and eventual uninstallation, each step has been meticulously detailed to provide clarity and ease of execution. Audacious, with its robust feature set and adaptability, is a testament to open-source software’s power. It offers a seamless audio experience for Fedora Linux users, and we hope this guide has equipped you with the knowledge to harness its full potential. As always, it’s recommended to regularly check for software updates and engage with the community for best practices and troubleshooting.