How to Play MP3 Files Using Command Line in Mac OS

If you don’t want to use iTunes to play MP3 files on your Mac, you can use the command line pointer on your Mac OS. This guide will help you to understand how to use the Command Line MP3 Player in Mac OS X.

You can also use the command line pointer to play other audio formats such as AIFF, WAV, m4a, and many others by using the afplay or open commands.

Playing MP3 Files on the Command Line in Mac OS

Open the afplay terminal (found in /Applications/Utilities/) and type the command:

afplay audiofile.mp3

Replace “audiofile.mp3” with the file name and path of the file you want to play. You can also use tab completion to quickly select artist names from the ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music/ folder.

For instance, to play a file that’s already in your iTunes library with afplay, use the following syntax, including the full path to the filename:

afplay ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music/Grateful Dead/Ripple-live.mp3

Afplay command works well, not only with mp3 files but with any other audio files that you point to. You can also use the ‘open’ command to launch a song on iTunes:

open /path/to/mp3file.mp3

This will launch the mp3 file type in the actual GUI application associated with it.

The audio file will start playing immediately, and you can stop playing the audio at any time by typing Control + C in the Terminal window.

Play Sound from the Command Line in Background

You can play audio files in the background by using the afplay command and simply adding an ampersand to the end of the command:

afplay audiofile.mp3 &

You can launch iTunes in the background from the ‘open’ command using the same character:

open /path/to/mp3file.mp3 &

The audio file is played until it finishes, and you can stop the sound immediately by typing:

killall afplay

or

killall iTunes

In the past, some have even consolidated this text to speech command into a fun way to play pranks on friends.

Benefits of Command Line MP3 Player in Mac OS X

  • Free to access.
  • Easy to follow and understand.

FAQs

What is Command Line MP3 Player in Mac OS X?
Command Line MP3 Player in Mac OS X is a guide on how to use the command line pointer to play audio files, specifically MP3 files, on a Mac computer.

How can this guide help me?
This guide can help you understand how to use the command line on your Mac to play MP3 and other audio formats without using iTunes.

What devices are supported by this guide?
This guide is only applicable to Apple devices.

What operating systems are supported by this guide?
This guide is applicable for mac OS or iOS.


Final Words

If you have any queries or questions regarding the Command Line MP3 Player in Mac OS X, you can directly reach out to us through the comment section or via our contact page. This guide is for educational purposes only. If you spot any inaccuracy or misinformation in this guide, please feel free to contact us. Also, please let us know if you want to add more methods to the Command Line MP3 Player in Mac OS X guide.

James Hogan
James Hogan
James Hogan is a notable content writer recognized for his contributions to Bollyinside, where he excels in crafting informative comparison-based articles on topics like laptops, phones, and software. When he's not writing, James enjoys immersing himself in football matches and exploring the digital realm. His curiosity about the ever-evolving tech landscape drives his continuous quest for knowledge, ensuring his content remains fresh and relevant.

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