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What are programs I can use to play audio files on my computer?
Many programs are available for playing audio files on Windows, Macintosh, and Linux-based systems. Since there are so many audio formats available, you will most likely need more than one player on your computer. Below is a list of audio programs for the Windows, Macintosh, and Linux platforms.
Windows:
| Company |
Program Name |
Primary Formats |
Notes
|
| Apple |
iTunes |
.M4P |
The most popular audio playback program for Mac and Windows; supports all major audio formats except for Windows Media and Real Media files; the only program that can play songs downloaded from the iTunes music store and that is compatible with the Apple iPod. |
| Cowon |
JetAudio Basic |
n/a |
Plays all major file formats, including WAV, MP3, OGG, WMA, MPEG, AVI, WMV, RM, MIDI, as well as video and audio CD tracks; also supports CD burning, recording, and audio file conversion. |
| Foobar2000 |
Foobar2000 |
n/a |
Supports more than a dozen audio formats, gapless playback, and advanced tagging capabilities; includes tabbed playlists and customizable keyboard shortcuts; also known as "fb2k." |
| Microsoft |
Windows Media Player |
.WMA, .ASF |
Microsoft media program that plays both audio and video files; included with the Windows operating system; plays Windows Media files and several other common formats. |
| MODPlug |
MODPlug Player |
.MOD |
Audio module player for Windows that supports many module formats, including MOD, MDL, XM, S3M, 669, FAR, IT, NST, and PTM files as well as many others; also includes other features such as a graphic equalizer for adjusting the sound output. |
| Nullsoft |
Winamp |
n/a |
The most commonly used Windows music playback program for many years; supports many formats, including Ogg Vorbis files; also supports custom skins, which change the look of the player's interface. |
| Quux Software |
QuuxPlayer |
n/a |
Music player for Windows designed to focus on the listening experience; supports Home Theatre PC (HTPC) mode and includes a spectrum analyzer and 30-band equalizer. |
| RealNetworks |
Real Player |
.RA, .RAM |
Plays Real Media audio and video files, including streaming media; also supports other common audio formats. |
| Yahoo! |
Music Jukebox |
n/a |
Formerly Musicmatch Jukebox, now developed by Yahoo!; supports many different formats and plays back songs downloaded from Yahoo! Music Unlimited, a music download subscription service. |
Macintosh:
| Company |
Program Name |
Primary Formats |
Notes
|
| Apple |
iTunes |
.M4P |
The most popular audio playback program for Mac and Windows; supports all major audio formats except for Windows Media and Real Media files; the only program that is compatible with the Apple iPod and that can play songs downloaded from the iTunes music store. |
| Microsoft |
Windows Media Player |
.WMA, .ASF |
Media playback program from Microsoft that plays both audio and video files; included with the Windows operating system; plays Windows Media files and several other common formats. |
| Panic |
Audion |
n/a |
Supports MP3, AIFF, WAV, Vorbis, and other common formats; also plays back streaming audio files from Icecast or Shoutcast; includes additional features such as MP3 encoding and visualizations during playback. |
| RealNetworks |
Real Player |
.RA, .RAM |
Plays Real Media audio and video files, including streaming media; also supports other common audio formats. |
| Sven Janssen |
CocoModX |
.MOD |
Freeware audio module player developed for Mac OS X; supports over three dozen module formats such as MOD, XM, S3M, IT, AHX, and MDZ files, as well as many others. |
| VideoLAN |
VLC Media Player |
n/a |
Compact cross-platform media player that plays audio and video files; supports nearly all uncompressed and compressed audio formats, including Ogg Vorbis files. |
Linux:
| Company |
Program Name |
Primary Formats |
Notes
|
| 4Front Technologies |
XMMS |
n/a |
Popular free audio player for Unix systems; plays MP3s, WAVs, MODs, and other audio file types using Input plugins; also supports Output, Effect, and Visualization plugins, as well as skins that customize the player's interface. |
| Amarok Project |
Amarok |
n/a |
Audio player with a highly customizable interface that includes support for song lyrics; supports Last.fm radio streams, Ampache server connections, Librivox audio books, Magnatune music, and the OPLM Podcast Directory. |
| Kaffeine |
Kaffeine - KDE Media Player |
n/a |
Media player for the K Desktop Environment (KDE); supports audio CD playback and several audio files types including MOD and STM files. |
Know of another audio player that should be listed here? Suggest an addition.
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