How to Install DeaDBeeF on Manjaro Linux

Are you a Manjaro Linux user looking for a lightweight, feature-packed, customizable music player to enhance your audio experience? Look no further! DeaDBeeF is the perfect solution for you. This powerful music player stands out for its flexibility, performance, and user-friendly interface. In this introduction, we will explore the features and benefits of DeaDBeeF, highlighting why it is an excellent choice for Manjaro Linux users. Finally, we will demonstrate how to install DeaDBeeF on Manjaro Linux using the Arch Linux User Repository (AUR) and command-line terminal.

Why DeaDBeeF?

DeaDBeeF is designed to meet the diverse needs of Linux users. Some of its most notable features include:

1. Lightweight and low-resource usage: DeaDBeeF is designed for efficiency, minimizing the impact on your system’s resources. This ensures smooth performance even on older or less powerful hardware.
2. Wide range of supported formats: DeaDBeeF can handle the most popular audio formats, including MP3, FLAC, WAV, AAC, ALAC, and many more. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for audiophiles with diverse music libraries.
3. Customizable interface: With DeaDBeeF, you can create a personalized music player experience. You can choose from various layout presets or design your own, adjusting elements like the playlist view, album art display, and control buttons.
4. Gapless playback and crossfade support: DeaDBeeF ensures seamless transitions between tracks, providing an uninterrupted listening experience.
5. Plugin support: DeaDBeeF offers a wide range of plugins to enhance your music player with additional features, such as equalizers, visualizations, and file converters.
6. Integration with Linux desktop environments: DeaDBeeF is compatible with the most popular Linux desktop environments, ensuring a seamless experience on your Manjaro Linux system.

Considering these remarkable features, it’s no wonder that DeaDBeeF is a popular choice for Manjaro Linux users seeking a reliable, customizable, and efficient music player.

The upcoming guide will demonstrate how to install DeaDBeeF on Manjaro Linux using the Arch Linux User Repository and command-line terminal.

Step 1: Update Manjaro

First, update your system to ensure all existing packages are up to date. This will ensure no conflicts arise as best as possible during the installation.

sudo pacman -Syu

Sometimes, you may need a complete database download if you have not upgraded your Arch Linux system for a while; use the following command if the above update command does not work.

sudo pacman -Syyu

Step 2: Install the DeaDBeeF Player on Manjaro

The following method will use the default installed Manjaro packaged manager and enable the AUR for users who have not yet enabled it.

Situational – Enable AUR for ‘pamac.’

First, by default, AUR is disabled. You will first need to enable it, which you can do with the following command.

sudo sed -Ei '/EnableAUR/s/^#//' /etc/pamac.conf

Install DeadBeeF with AUR

Next, run the install command; you can use install or build, given it’s only available from the AUR, but I would stress using the build command for best practice.

pamac build deadbeef-git

Since you are using the Manjaro package manager, this will be easier to keep updated with your other Manjaro packages.

Next, you can install some of the alternative packages/plugins.

DeaDBeeF Pipewire output plugin

pamac build deadbeef-pipewire-plugin-git

DeaDBeeF MPRISv2 plugin

pamac build deadbeef-mpris2-plugin-git

Step 3: Launch the DeaDBeeF Player on Manjaro

Now that you have the application installed, launching can be done in a few ways.

deadbeef

Additionally, you can launch from the applications menu by following the path.

Taskbar > Multimedia > DeaDBeeF

Example:

Once open, you can begin loading and using the audio player.

Example:

Step 4: Getting Started with DeaDBeeF on Manjaro

Once you have installed DeaDBeeF on your Manjaro Linux system, it’s time to explore its features and customize your audio experience. This section will cover general tips, customizations, and other valuable insights to help you get started with DeaDBeeF.

General Tips

1. Playlist Management: To create a new playlist, right-click on the playlist tab and select “New Playlist.” You can also use the Ctrl+N keyboard shortcut. To remove a playlist, right-click on the tab and choose “Remove Playlist.”
2. Adding Tracks: To add music files to your playlist, click on the “File” menu and select “Add Files” or “Add Folder.” Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+O and Ctrl+Shift+O, respectively.
3. Sorting Tracks: To sort your playlist, right-click on the playlist view and choose “Sort” from the context menu. You can sort tracks by title, artist, album, and more.

Customizations

• Layout Presets: To change the layout of DeaDBeeF, click on the “View” menu and select “Layout.” Here, you can choose from several presets, such as “Mini Mode,” “Album Art Mode,” or “Full Mode.”
• Creating Custom Layouts: To design your own layout, click on the “View” menu and select “Design Mode.” You can then rearrange, resize, add, or remove elements such as album art, playlist view, or control buttons. Click on “Design Mode” again to exit and save your custom layout.
• Changing Themes: To modify the appearance of DeaDBeeF, click on the “Edit” menu and select “Preferences.” Navigate to the “Appearance” tab to choose from various themes and color schemes.

Other Tips

• Hotkeys: DeaDBeeF supports various keyboard shortcuts to improve usability. You can find a complete list of hotkeys by clicking on the “Help” menu and selecting “Hotkeys.”
• Plugins: To extend DeaDBeeF’s functionality, you can install plugins. Access the “Edit” menu, choose “Preferences,” and navigate to the “Plugins” tab to enable or disable available plugins.
• Equalizer Settings: To adjust the audio output, click on the “Edit” menu and select “Equalizer.” Here, you can enable the equalizer, choose presets, or create custom equalization profiles.

With these tips and customizations, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a personalized audio experience with DeaDBeeF on your Manjaro Linux system.

Additional Tips

How to Update DeaDBeeF Player

The best way to upgrade the software is to use the following terminal command.

sudo pamac checkupdates -a

sudo pamac upgrade -a

It is advised to run terminal commands occasionally, even if you have set up AUR auto-updates using the automatic GUI updater; this ensures you are not missing anything.

How to Remove DeaDBeeF Player

Use the following terminal command if you no longer want the DeaDBeeF software installed.

pamac remove deadbeef-git

Lastly, for users that enabled pamac and then had second thoughts about using it and instead wanted to use something else, you can easily disable it using the following command.

sudo sed -Ei '/EnableAUR/s/^/#/' /etc/pamac.conf

Conclusion

In summary, installing DeaDBeeF on Manjaro Linux provides users with a lightweight, customizable, and feature-rich music player that caters to their audio needs. With its wide range of supported formats, plugin support, and seamless integration with Linux desktop environments, DeaDBeeF is an excellent choice for Manjaro Linux users seeking a reliable and efficient audio solution.

Additional Resources and Links

For more information about DeaDBeeF, consult these official sources and documents:

• Official Website: https://deadbeef.sourceforge.io/
  • Visit the official DeaDBeeF website for the latest news, updates, and releases.
• GitHub Repository: https://github.com/DeaDBeeF-Player/deadbeef
  • Explore the source code, report issues, and contribute to the development of DeaDBeeF.