aTunes - Open Source iTunes Alternative
The Perpetual Search for the Ideal Music Player
A friend recently observed my cyclical pattern of seeking a new music player, a quest I seem to embark on approximately every three months. Despite repeatedly believing I’ve discovered the ultimate solution, the search invariably begins anew.
Regular readers of this blog will recall my previous explorations of various music players over the past eighteen months. This pattern of indecision, I believe, originated with my extensive iTunes rant.
Since then, the pursuit of a definitive music player has continued. Currently, aTunes – an Open Source, Java-based application – appears to be a strong contender.
Exploring aTunes: Version 1.9 and Beyond
I initially touched upon aTunes version 1.7 over a year ago. At that time, it wasn’t my primary audio player and exhibited some instability.
However, the latest version, 1.9, represents a significant improvement. aTunes boasts cross-platform compatibility, functioning seamlessly on Windows, Linux, and OSX operating systems.
Initial Setup and Library Population
Following installation, the first step involves directing aTunes to your music directory to populate the aTunes Repository. Pointing the Repository towards my FLAC collection proved remarkably swift, efficiently cataloging all my albums.
The user interface features an informative area on the left side, providing details about the artist currently playing. When a song by Anathema began, comprehensive band information and a listing of their other albums were immediately displayed.
Detailed Features and Functionality
Selecting the "Song" tab reveals the lyrics of the currently playing track, alongside the album artwork. This provides a convenient, all-in-one experience for music enthusiasts.
The "Similar Artists" tab suggests musicians who share stylistic similarities with the artist you are listening to. For example, while playing a Megadeth album, a curated list of comparable artists was presented.
aTunes includes a readily accessible equalizer, pre-loaded with approximately fifteen distinct presets for customized audio tuning.
Organization and Customization
The default layout prioritizes playlists, easily navigable via tabs. This feature facilitates the organization of diverse musical styles into separate lists.
Playlist column visibility is easily managed; simply check or uncheck the desired columns for a tailored view.
Podcast integration is also available. Simply input the RSS feed information to subscribe to your favorite shows.
Additional Features and Integrations
Within the "Song Information" section, two buttons are provided. One copies song lyrics to the clipboard for use in other documents, while the other initiates a YouTube search for videos by the currently playing artist – a particularly useful feature!
Album and song information, along with the player controls, are conveniently displayed below the playlists.
aTunes supports Last.fm integration, prompting me to create a Last.fm profile. Feel free to connect with me if you wish.
The application includes an album cover navigator and, like iTunes, allows you to download missing artwork. Supported formats include mp3, OGG, WMA, WAV, FLAC, mp4, and RM. Furthermore, it offers a vast library of online radio stations, CD ripping capabilities, and several customizable skins. It is also compatible with mp3 players.
Final Thoughts
I will conclude my overview here, as there are numerous additional features and options I haven’t yet explored. I strongly encourage you to install aTunes and experiment with its capabilities.
I am genuinely enthusiastic about this player and believe I may have finally found my new music player… at least for the next three months.
Download aTunes