Is there a music player that will automatically mute when other audio starts playing?

I find myself listening to music while I use my computer, and constantly pausing and un-pausing the music when I watch a video on youtube, open up a game, or any other task that needs audio.

Do any music players exist that will automatically mute, or pause, when other audio starts playing on your machine?

I'm using Windows 7 primarily, although I do also use Linux (Fedora 16) on my laptop, so suggestions for either OS would be appreciated. Also, I don't mind paying a bit for an audio player, although free software would be preferred.

MarkFuzz

Posted 2012-01-08T17:07:26.943

Reputation: 91

It's possible to record the output itself and filter your own output out of it... But I don't know if anyone has done that... Additionally since Windows XP exposes a list of programs that play stuff to the user, I wonder if that is accessible through the API. On Linux it would need to query the different sound systems like OSS and ALSA. I bet theres a way to detect what applications connect to them at a time... But all that rambling would be more for the Stackoverflow page – sinni800 – 2012-01-08T17:51:41.330

Microsoft MapPoint will auto-mute/pause Windows Media player when it's speaking directions in GPS mode. But it seems very application-specific (MapPoint automating WMP). – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007 – 2012-01-08T19:19:20.147

There is an application (abandoned, I think) called Earcandy [http://launchpad.net/earcandy], which tried to accomplish that, plus some other functions. – Severo Raz – 2012-01-15T20:32:27.103

Answers

While it is not an answer to your question, it may solve your problem. I find that using a music player that supports hot keys well is invaluable for situations like you are describing. Once you master the hot keys (bit of a learning curve) you will find your situation much more enjoyable. I use Foobar2000 as my music player. I have all of my num keys bound to various functions.

All of these binds use Ctrl + Win + the num key listed

Num 4 - Prev

Num 5 - Play/Pause

Num 6 - Next

Num 7 - Seek back 10 sec

Num 9 - Seek forward 10 sec

Num 2 - Volume Down

Num 8 - Volume Up

Num Del - Delete current Song

If you are like me, you will listen to music while playing a game, but then want to turn it off if a cut scene happens, or someone starts talking to you on vent. Since an application would have a hard time discerning when you want the music to stop, I see this as your best option.

Miebster

Posted 2012-01-08T17:07:26.943

Reputation: 193

I am building mute.fm (http://www.mute.fm/) to solve this problem. It requires Windows 7 or Windows 8 desktop usage, so it should work for your needs.

Jared Sohn

Posted 2012-01-08T17:07:26.943

Reputation: 188