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How to Install DeaDBeeF on Ubuntu 22.04 | 20.04
Last Updated on by Joshua James
DeaDBeeF is a powerful, lightweight, and highly customizable music player designed for the discerning Ubuntu user who values a no-nonsense approach to their music collection. With its extensive range of features and compatibility with numerous audio formats, DeaDBeeF is the perfect solution for users who want to optimize their music listening experience on Ubuntu. In this introduction, we will explore the various benefits and use cases of DeaDBeeF, as well as the reasons why Ubuntu users may want to consider installing this versatile software.
Key Benefits and Use Cases of DeaDBeeF Player
Wide Range of Supported Audio Formats: DeaDBeeF supports an impressive variety of audio formats, including MP3, FLAC, WAV, OGG, and many more. This ensures that you can enjoy your diverse music library without worrying about compatibility issues.
Highly Customizable User Interface: With DeaDBeeF, you can tailor the user interface to suit your preferences by customizing its appearance, layout, and functionality. This allows for a personalized music listening experience that caters to your unique needs.
Efficient Resource Usage: DeaDBeeF is designed to be lightweight, meaning it consumes minimal system resources, even when playing large music files. This ensures smooth performance without compromising your computer’s processing power.
Advanced Playback Features: DeaDBeeF offers a plethora of advanced playback options, such as gapless playback, replay gain, and a 32-bit audio processing pipeline, to provide a high-quality listening experience.
Plugin Support: DeaDBeeF boasts a rich plugin ecosystem, enabling users to extend its functionality with additional features like visualizations, audio effects, and more.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: While this guide focuses on Ubuntu, DeaDBeeF is available for other platforms as well, such as Windows and macOS, making it a versatile option for users with multiple devices or operating systems.
With the aforementioned benefits and use cases, it’s clear that DeaDBeeF is an exceptional music player that caters to a wide range of user needs. If you’re an Ubuntu user seeking a powerful and customizable music player, DeaDBeeF might be the perfect solution for you. In the following guide, we will demonstrate how to install DeaDBeeF on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa using apt.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Installing DeaDBeeF Player on Ubuntu
In this section, we will guide you through the process of installing DeaDBeeF Player on your Ubuntu system. We will be using the APT package manager along with a PPA provided by Pavel to ensure a smooth and reliable installation. Please follow the steps outlined below to install DeaDBeeF Player on your Ubuntu machine successfully.
Step 1: Update Ubuntu System
To prevent any potential conflicts or issues during the installation process, it is important to first update your Ubuntu system. This ensures that all existing packages are up to date. To update your system, run the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Step 2: Import DeaDBeeF PPA
In order to use the APT package manager to install DeaDBeeF Player, we will first need to import the appropriate PPA repository provided by Pavel. There are two options available: the stable version and the development version. It’s important to note that if you import both repositories, only the one with the latest version will be used, which is usually the development version. Choose the version that best suits your needs and run the corresponding command below:
After importing the chosen PPA repository, it’s necessary to update the package list in order to reflect the newly added PPA. To do this, run the following command:
sudo apt update
Step 4: Install the DeaDBeeF Player
Now that the package list has been updated, you can proceed with the installation of DeaDBeeF Player. Run the following command to install the audio player:
If you are interested in developing plugins for DeaDBeeF Player or need additional functionality, you can install the plugin developer package. To do this, run the following command:
sudo apt install deadbeef-plugins-dev -y
Section 2: Launching DeaDBeeF Player
After successfully installing DeaDBeeF Player on your Ubuntu system, you might be eager to start exploring its features and capabilities. In this section, we will guide you through different methods of launching DeaDBeeF Player, so you can choose the one that suits you best.
Step 1: Launch DeaDBeeF Player via Command Line
For those who prefer working with the command line, you can quickly launch DeaDBeeF Player by running the following command in your terminal:
deadbeef
This will open the DeaDBeeF Player application and allow you to start using its features right away.
Step 2: Launch DeaDBeeF Player via Application Icon
If you are more comfortable using the graphical interface, you can easily launch DeaDBeeF Player by locating and clicking its application icon. To do this, follow the steps outlined below:
Open the Activities menu located at the top-left corner of your screen.
Click on Show Applications (represented by a grid of dots) to display the list of installed applications.
Search for DeaDBeeF in the list of applications, or type “DeaDBeeF” in the search bar.
Click on the DeaDBeeF application icon to launch the music player.
Example of DeaDBeeF application icon on Ubuntu Linux:
Section 3: Getting Started with DeaDBeeF on Ubuntu Linux
Now that you have successfully installed and launched DeaDBeeF Player on your Ubuntu system, it’s time to explore some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of this versatile music player. In this section, we will provide you with valuable tips on general usage, customizations, and other useful information to enhance your DeaDBeeF Player experience.
General Tips
Add Music Files: To add music files to your DeaDBeeF Player library, simply drag and drop the files or folders into the main window. Alternatively, you can use the File menu and click on Add Files or Add Folder to navigate to your music files.
Create Playlists: Organize your music collection by creating multiple playlists in DeaDBeeF Player. To create a new playlist, right-click on the tab bar and select New Playlist. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + T.
Change Playback Order: DeaDBeeF Player allows you to change the playback order of your music tracks. To do this, right-click on the playback order button located in the bottom-right corner of the main window, and choose from options such as Shuffle, Repeat, or Random.
Customization Tips
Customize Interface: Tailor the appearance and layout of DeaDBeeF Player by right-clicking on the main window, selecting Design Mode, and rearranging the elements as desired. To exit Design Mode, right-click again and deselect Design Mode.
Change Colors and Fonts: Personalize the look of DeaDBeeF Player by modifying the colors and fonts. To do this, navigate to Edit > Preferences > Appearance and explore the various customization options available.
Customize Hotkeys: Set up custom hotkeys for common actions to improve your workflow. Access the hotkey settings by going to Edit > Preferences > Hotkeys.
Other Tips
Install Additional Plugins: Enhance the functionality of DeaDBeeF Player by installing additional plugins. To do this, navigate to Edit > Preferences > Plugins, and click on the Find More button to discover new plugins.
Equalizer Settings: Fine-tune your listening experience by adjusting the built-in equalizer. Access the equalizer by clicking on View > Equalizer.
Export Playlists: Save your playlists for backup or sharing by exporting them in various formats. To export a playlist, right-click on the playlist tab and select Save Playlist.
Example of DeaDBeeF UI on Ubuntu Linux once launched:
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Section 4: Extending DeaDBeeF with Plugins
DeaDBeeF Player already comes with a variety of features and functionality, but you can further enhance your music listening experience by extending the player with additional plugins. In this section, we will walk you through the process of accessing the plugins directory, downloading plugins, and installing them in the correct location on your Ubuntu system.
Step 1: Access the DeaDBeeF Plugins Page
To find and download the additional plugins for DeaDBeeF, visit the DeaDBeeF plugins page and browse the available packages. You can find plugins that provide additional codecs, user interface elements, visualizations, and more.
Step 2: Prepare the Plugins Directory
Before you install any downloaded plugins, you need to ensure that the appropriate directory exists on your Ubuntu system. By default, this directory is not created, so you’ll need to create it manually. Execute the following command to create the necessary directory:
sudo mkdir -p ~/.local/lib/deadbeef/
This command creates the ~/.local/lib/deadbeef/ directory, which is the designated location for storing DeaDBeeF plugins.
Step 3: Download and Install Plugins
Once you have identified the plugins you want to install, download the corresponding zip archives from the DeaDBeeF plugins page. After downloading the archives, extract their contents and move the extracted files to the ~/.local/lib/deadbeef/ directory.
For example, if you have downloaded a plugin named example_plugin.zip, extract the contents and move them to the plugins directory using these commands:
Remember to replace example_plugin.zip with the actual name of the plugin archive you downloaded.
Step 4: Restart DeaDBeeF Player
After installing the new plugins, restart DeaDBeeF Player for the changes to take effect. Close the application and relaunch it, either using the command deadbeef or by clicking on the application icon.
Section 5: Additional DeaDBeeF Commands with Ubuntu Linux
In this section, we will guide you through various actions related to the DeaDBeeF Player on Ubuntu Linux, including updating the software, removing it from your system, and managing its PPA repositories. We will provide clear, step-by-step instructions to ensure you can easily carry out these tasks.
Updating DeaDBeeF Player
To keep your DeaDBeeF Player up-to-date and ensure optimal performance, you should periodically check for updates. The easiest way to do this is by using the command line terminal. Run the following command to update the DeaDBeeF Player, along with all other packages managed by the APT package manager:
sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt upgrade
The command will also ensure all other packages that use the APT package manager, including your system packages, are up-to-date. I suggest that users new to Linux run this command frequently to ensure your system works as intended, even if you have automatic GUI updates or notifications.
This command not only updates DeaDBeeF Player but also ensures that your entire system and its packages remain up-to-date. We recommend that users, especially those new to Linux, run this command frequently for smooth system operation and to benefit from the latest software features and security patches.
Removing DeaDBeeF Player
If you decide that you no longer need DeaDBeeF Player on your Ubuntu system, you can easily remove it. To do this, run the following command:
sudo apt remove deadbeef
This command uninstalls DeaDBeeF Player and automatically removes any unused dependencies.
Managing DeaDBeeF Player PPA Repositories
After uninstalling DeaDBeeF Player, you may want to remove the associated PPA repositories, especially if you do not plan to use the software again. Use the appropriate command below, based on the original installation method:
Closing Thoughts on Installing DeaDBeeF with Ubuntu Linux
In conclusion, we have provided a comprehensive guide on installing and managing DeaDBeeF Player on Ubuntu Linux. We covered the installation process, launching the application, extending its functionality with plugins, managing it through various commands, and even shared some tips for getting started. By following this guide, you should now be well-equipped to make the most out of DeaDBeeF Player on your Ubuntu Linux system.
Additional Resources and Links
To further enhance your experience with DeaDBeeF Player and deepen your understanding of its features and functionalities, we have compiled a list of official resources that you might find helpful:
Official DeaDBeeF Website: Visit the official DeaDBeeF Player website for the latest news, updates, and detailed information about the software.
DeaDBeeF GitHub Repository: Explore the source code, report issues, and contribute to the development of DeaDBeeF Player by visiting its GitHub repository.
