Audio Player

The Max2Play Image for Raspberry Pi offers preinstalled audio players that can easily be controlled and configured through the web interface.

We currently have three different players implemented: Squeezelite (Software Squeezebox), Shairport (AirPlay) and MPD. The players differ in their complexity and their applications. For a Multiroom setup, we recommend the use of Squeezelite in combination with the Squeezebox Server. Shairport offers easy playback from Apple devices or iTunes.

To compile the appropriate hardware (Raspberry PI and matching sound card) for the right purpose, we recommend our multiroom audio configurator.

How to use the different Max2Play Bundles, you can see in this example of application for a multiroom audio setup.

Squeezelite

is a software player with all Squeezebox functions:

  • Playback from internet radio and podcasts
  • Many plugins for Spotify, playlists, etc.
  • Playback of local music libraries
  • Apple Airplay with the Shairtunes Plugin (can be installed in the „Squeezebox Server“ menu)
  • Sleeptimer, alarm function
  • Synchronize multiple players
  • Supporting AAC and FLAC files for optimal music enjoyment
  • Visualization and control options on the device via Addon Jivelite (HDMI / Touchdisplay)
  • Synchronize multiple players
  • Control via apps: iPeng, Squeezer, Squeezebox-Commander
  • Control and configuration in the Squeezebox Server web interface
For Squeezelite, a running Squeezebox Server in the local network is necessary. This is easily done with Max2Play. Multiple Max2Play devices (Raspberry Pi’s, ODROID’s) or Squeezeboxes can be synchronized in the network.

Main Applications: Multiroom Audio, High-End-Audio, Music Alarm

Shairport

is a software player that supports Apple Airplay:

  • direct playback of music from iPhone
  • direct playback of music from iPad
  • direct playback of music from iTunes

With Shairport, all music can be streamed directly to the Raspberry Pi 2 or the ODROID.

Main Applications: easy audio player solution to stream music from iTunes or Apple devices onto the Max2Play device.

MPD

is an audio player that is easy to use:

  • Simple playback of internet radio stations
  • Easy integration of music from hard drives or local storage mediums

With the Max2Play extension, the administration and control of the MPD player is facilitated: installing a music drive, a playlist directory (easy mounting with Max2Play extension) as well as special options for a connected sound card.

Main Applications: simple audio player solution for playback of internet radio or local music.

Corresponding plugins for the audioplayer feature:

Support of sound cards by Max2Play

In addition to the easy installation and administration of audio players, Max2Play also offers simple and fast integration of sound cards.

List of all Amp’s, DAC’s und DIGI’s that are supported by the Max2Play Raspberry Pi Image:

All HiFiBerry, IQaudIO and JustBoom sound cards can be directly activated in the special Max2Play Images for HiFiBerry, IQaudIO and JustBoom. For all other cards, the activation can be set in the extension „Raspberry Settings“. For all these sound cards, the optimal hardware settings are preset (clock frequency, voltage, video memory).

Max2Play also supports USB sound cards: These can be used (if the HDMI output is occupied) to enhance the audio output.

Additionally, Max2Play offers an equalizer function on the web frontend and other filters for audiophile uses.

Raspberry Pi Audioplayer for HiFiBerry

Max2Play Setup for MPD Player Audioplayer on a Raspberry Pi

Max2Play How to - Network Shares

Max2Play Accesspoint Extension: a guide how to use a Raspberry Pi mobile

48 Comments

  1. mrp 9 Jahren ago

    Shairplay… Has anyone with a Raspberry pi B+ and IQ audio card been able to make Shairplay work? I’ve tried several times with no Airplayer shown. I have installed squeezelite and Squeeze server on my RPi. I have installed the shaiplay plugin. I only see my Apple TV as a choise

    • Heiner 9 Jahren ago

      Have you tried following our tutorial video on the Raspberry Settings extension for audio cards? With the Max2Play image installed and a premium license activated, you should have no problem running Airplay with the Shairtunes Plugin for the Squeezebox Server. Just make sure that Shairport is not running and has its autostart deactivated. Here is the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIb56VeGCP0

  2. mrp 9 Jahren ago

    so without the settings extension I shall not be able to get shairtunes plugin work? Please note that in your desription section

    • Heiner 9 Jahren ago

      No, the shairtunes plugin does not work when the Shairport player is running in the background or is on autostart. Raspberry Settings is not required for shairtunes to work, it is required for sound cards like the IQ audio to work properly.

  3. Michel 9 Jahren ago

    First let me say: M2P rocks!!!
    My config : Raspberry 2 + HifiBerry Amp+ (bought the bundle in your shop)
    It took me some time to realize that only one player software (Squeezelite/Shairport/DLNA) should be activated at a given time:
    Is this documented anywhere? is this specific to this config (Amp+)?

    AND: is there any chance for this to be enhance in the future ?
    Thanks & regards

    • Heiner 9 Jahren ago

      Hello Michel,
      Thanks for the kind words. I try to mention it as much as possible in my videos but you have a point that this information should be more prominent. The issue is a general one and not specific to your setup. We will consider including it in the next update.

      Sincerely
      Heiner from Max2Play

  4. mrp 9 Jahren ago

    tried one more time by reinstalling everything. Rpi B + IQAudio. Everything works beautifully but I still can not get any shairtune devices available in my network. My Apple TV and Airport express are shown and working. I use LAN connection to my Rpi. I have an Asus RT-N56U as router after my cable modem. If it was just the WLAN with iPad Air or iPad mini or iPad 2 (all with ios 8.X) we have in our household but also iMac iTunes only shows Airport express and Apple TV as alternatives. Also Apple TV shows only Airport Express as option for speakers.
    Wen you say „Settings is not required for shairtunes to work, it is required for sound cards like the IQ audio to work properly.“ What do you, Heiner, mean? My IQ Audio is working great without any settings plugin.
    I do not have Shairport started and I have installed Shairtunes2 and checked in server settings that the plugin is seleced there. Is there a way of checking whether shairtunes plugin is doing anything or not?

    • Heiner 9 Jahren ago

      Hello mrp,
      Regarding the settings, you need a premium license to install and use the extension „Raspberry Settings“ with which you can select sound cards and optimize the performance of the card and Raspberry.
      Regarding your problem, the first question would be whether you ticked off the autostart box for shairport, because otherwise shairport restarts constantly and interrupts the system. Otherwise I would recommend testing shairport seperately with Squeezelite not running to see if the Airplay functionality itself in your system works. If that is the case, I would recommend trying to deinstall the Squeezebox Server and installing the another version with which you can try the Shairtunes plugin again. If you are still not getting results, please send us the debug info so we can narrow down the problem more easily.

  5. mrp 9 Jahren ago

    Shairport does not show any airplay devices either, with no squeezelite running. Where can I get the debug info?

    • Heiner 9 Jahren ago

      The Debug Info is at the end of the page of each tab in the web interface. Please copy and paste it either into a forum post in our forum or via email so we can take a look.

  6. Nev 9 Jahren ago

    How can I make audioplayer (squeezelite/logitech media player) continue to play the playlist when the Pi is powered up without having to connect via the web interface. I just want the Pi to play music when I switch it on without any other intervention.
    Keep up the good work – M2P is excellent .

    • Heiner 9 Jahren ago

      Hello Nev,
      You can add commands to the boot sequence to apply this request.
      Here is an overview of the commands: http://tutoriels.domotique-store.fr/content/54/95/fr/api-logitech-squeezebox-server-_-player-http.html
      You need to integrate it in /etc/rc.local
      There you type nano /etc/rc.local
      Then:
      # Example for CLI-Request for the Status of the playback via http-GET Request (Please take into account the start-up latency of the Squeezebox Server)
      # Before exit put in 0 !
      sleep 30
      wget -q -O – „http://max2play:9000/status.html?p0=play&p1=preset_1.single&player=[MAC-Address URL-encoded]“

  7. mrp 9 Jahren ago

    hello,

    I still have not succeeded in getting airplay to work. Now I was wondering if there is any way of playing browser-based music sources, Naxos music library in particular with a max2play-setup?

  8. kannan 9 Jahren ago

    I cannot get the graphic equalizer to work. I have chosen the USB soundcard as the audio device which is a Xonar U7. When I choose the equalizer as the audio device then there is no sound output from the Xonar.
    Do I have to add some more settings in squeezelite to get the audio stream to pass through the equaliser before being sent to the Xonar.

    • Heiner 9 Jahren ago

      Hi Kannan,
      Please try to tick the option „Use USB-DAC“ in the Audio Player menu. That might get the equalizer to work. However, we cannot guarantee compatibility with our equalizer with every USB sound card. Unfortunately, we have no experience with the Xonar U7.

  9. mrp 8 Jahren ago

    I had shairtunes2 working for- two days. I do not know what had changed and what made it disappear again….

  10. Alberto 8 Jahren ago

    Hi,
    I’d ike to try your solution to build a headless music client with Squeezelite on my rasp pi. I have only one question: after a proper installation and configuration, can I run M2P with memory card in read only mode? if yes, I can stop my rasp pi without a proper shutdown without any risks removing the wall plug. I know, this is not the best way to do it but it could be easier.
    thanks

    • Heiner 8 Jahren ago

      Hi Alberto,
      Squeezelite and now with the newest version also Jivelite can run in the read-only mode without problems. However, you cannot run the Squeezebox Server on a device with the read-only mode enabled.

  11. KO 8 Jahren ago

    I just have installed Hifi Berry DAC+(image) on rpi2 cannot get the equalizer to work
    Have an older installation (rpi B)-„Max2Play Raspberry Pi Image“ with a cheap clone of the Hifi Berry DAC with no problems on the graphic eq
    Forgot if i ever did any changes on the install – is been a while – i think it just worked, found the card and EQ worked
    Not such luck with the newer DAC+
    Of course i 1st installed the image i already had – „Max2Play Raspberry Pi“ I changed the
    dtoverlay=hifiberry-dacplus
    Did play fine a local file with aplay myfile.wav but squeezelite could not start – so i found the hifiberyy image – no idea was up
    NICE! – A lot of new things here since i last explored 😉

    • Maximilian 8 Jahren ago

      Hi KO,

      thank you for your comment and positive feedback about the new features of Max2Play.

      Corrected version:
      The Equalizer can be used by choosing „plugequal“ in the Advanced Options of Squeezeliteplayer (Audioplayer menu). Afterwards, tick the „Use Equalizer“ checkbox, choose the EQ settings you want and uncheck the box again, if you want to improve the loading time of the audioplayer tab. By the way, using this equalizer leads to a decreased resolution of your audio signal and, accordingly, to a worse quality of audio playback.

      Maximilian from Max2Play

  12. Che 8 Jahren ago

    Do you have more details or an example of how this works with Spotify, and is it possible to play Spotify to multiple players simultaneously (from the Server I presume)? Thanks.

    • Heiner 8 Jahren ago

      Hi Che,
      The Spotify-functionality comes from the third-party-plugin on the Squeezebox Server, triode’s Spotify plugin. You can find more info on its capabilities around the net. It supports one stream from Spotify at a time which can be synchronized and played simultaneously on mutliple devices.

  13. KO 8 Jahren ago

    ..hmm
    That‘ s to bad
    I need some kind of „Tone Control“
    Worse quality ? ha – don’t really care as long as i have an EQ 😉
    On this pg https://www.hifiberry.com/guides/guide-adding-equalization-using-alsaeq/
    It does say „The equalisation works only when the application uses the default output device from asound.conf. Applications that are configured to use the hardware device directly (you might see “hw:0” or similar in the command line options or in the configuration file) won’t use the equalisation plugin“
    So i’m kind of confused – The DAC is configured as Default but it is hw 0
    cat /etc/asound.conf
    ctl.!default {
    type hw
    card 0
    }
    pcm.!default {
    type hw card 0
    }
    pcm.equal {
    type plug;
    slave.pcm plugequal;
    }
    ctl.equal {
    type equal;
    }

    pcm.plugequal {
    type equal;
    slave {
    pcm „plughw:0,0“;
    }
    hint {show on;description „Equalizer for plughw:0,0“}
    }

    pcm.headphonesplug {
    type plug
    slave.pcm „hw:0,0“
    }

    pcm.bs2b {
    type ladspa
    slave.pcm „headphonesplug“
    path „/usr/lib/ladspa“
    plugins [
    {
    label bs2b
    input {
    controls [ 500 4.5 ]
    }
    }
    ]
    }

    pcm.headphones {
    type plug
    slave {
    pcm „bs2b“
    rate 44100
    }
    }

    Is there a ‚compromise‘ ?
    I w’d love that – I cannot get a hardware EQ for each ‚zone‘ – and i have quite a few 😉

    Any suggestions?

    • Maximilian 8 Jahren ago

      Hi KO,

      I got somethink wrong, sorry. I edited my comment above. Does it work for you?

      Maximilian from Max2Play

  14. Joseph 8 Jahren ago

    Can I use Max2play to setup the following: a Raspberry pi 2 running Pandora streaming over wifi to Google Chromecast Audio? I want to use a touchscreen and create so wife can listen to audio throughout house.

    Thank you

    • Heiner 8 Jahren ago

      Hi Joseph,
      Pandora should work on the Squeezebox Server-plugin for Max2Play. Google Chromecast Audio, however, could be a problem. We have no experience with this hardware yet and do not know if it supports the Squeezebox-System-Software which would be required to make the Chromecast a player. We would recommend either using another Raspberry Pi 2 or the same Pi as a player. All you need is an instance of Squeezelite to receive the audio from the Server. You can try out how well Pandora works with the SBS on our free Image. Both player and server come preinstalled.

  15. Dominik 8 Jahren ago

    Hi!

    Will M2P work in the RPI3 receiving Audio via squeezlite and playing via Bluetooth?

    Thanks!
    Dom

    • Heiner 8 Jahren ago

      Hi Dominik,
      If you mean using a Bluetooth speaker as output for a Squeezelite player, then yes.

  16. Warren A Evans 8 Jahren ago

    MAX2PLAY is a very good program. I salute your accomplishments in make such a quality product.

    Could you please make a newer Image download for HiFiBerry users?

    I have been using the DAC+ board through my R-Pi2B+ for over a year. This past week I got a HiFiBerry DAC+ PRO and was not successful using the image download. The LED on the card never came on and audio never came out. Re-installed DAC+ and all is back to normal again.

    Do you think a newer image with the latest Rasberry Pi and HiFiBerry drivers might help?

    Thank you again.

    • Heiner 8 Jahren ago

      Hi Warren,
      our Raspberry and HiFiBerry drivers are up to date. We also have a new Jessie-based image support Bluetooth if you want a new image. However, our images can be updated in the Settings/Reboot-menu. We are currently on 2.29
      The integration of the HiFiBerry sound cards should not be an issue. Could you not select the DAC+ PRO in the Raspberry Settings?

  17. Andre 8 Jahren ago

    Hi,

    I have a Pi with Max2Play installed. Squeezelite works well and outputs to my Hifiberry Digi well. However, Airplay/Shareport doesn’t output at all. iTunes connects well with an Airport Express and also with a Neet Airstream. It also works with Retune for control on Android. So I don’t think iTunes is the issue. Since the Pi/Hifiberry also work perfectly with Squeezelite, I don’t think the cables or hardware can be the issue.

    The only other clue I have for you is that when I send music to the Pi via Shareport, the digitial receiver locks on to a SP/DIF signal … but it is silent. Try the same thing via Squeezelite – all works.

    I don’t want to use Squeezeserver anymore and am using iTunes for Airplay and multiroom. Hence I’d like this to work.

    Any ideas?

    • Heiner 8 Jahren ago

      Hi Andre,
      Please post your problems in our forums so the whole community can benefit and contribute to the exchange. Have you set the same output for both Squeezelite and Shairport? If so, please make sure to deactivate Squeezelite when using Shairport and vice versa.

  18. ANDRE 8 Jahren ago

    Apologies. Will use forums next time. Simple fix. Turn off PI and Mac/iTunes, reboot, all works!

  19. Marcello 7 Jahren ago

    Hi.
    I’ve used m2p for my rpi2 and cirrus/wolfson.
    I would use mpd with cirrus/wolfson card, but in „Music Player Soundcard Settings“ i don’t find a right choice to select cirrus/wolfson card.
    I set every choiches from drop down list, but cirrus/wolfson don’t work…
    Only integrated sound card of rpi is working…
    I think that is necessary to add, step by step, all configurations needed to work cirrus/wolfons on your site.
    Thanks.

    PS
    Please, give me a response asap.

    • Heiner 7 Jahren ago

      Hi Marcello,
      You can find the Cirrus Logic sound card in the Raspberry Settings. The selection is called „Wolfson Cirrus Logic (Kernelchange)“ and once it is saved and the device is rebooted, the sound card will appear as a selection in all audio players.

  20. Craig 7 Jahren ago

    Hello all,

    My intention is to set up Kodi as my music server on my RPi 3 (since I like Yatse and in towk well with OpenHAB).

    I’ve installed VNC, but when I start Kodi in the M2P web interface, I do not see it starting on the Pi (in the video an Odroid is used). How can I access Kodi headless? I just need to configure remote control permissions etc.

    Second question is regarding the WiFi acces point plugin. Can I set the same SSID and password on several Pi’s to extend my network (the Pi’s will be connected via ethernet).

    Any advice would me much appreciated.

  21. Hunter 7 Jahren ago

    Can this be used in a carputer setting where I would like to stream Spotify and iTunes via Bluetooth from both apple and Android devices with the raspberry pi not connected to internet thank you

    • Heiner 7 Jahren ago

      Hi Hunter,
      Yes, this should be a viable option. You can use the access point setup to configure and control Max2Play’s features on the go and the Bluetooth plugin to pair your phone with an audio player for Spotify, etc.

  22. anotbot 7 Jahren ago

    Hi I have been struggling with this for a few hours now and getting nowhere. I have another Max2play system with a JustBoom card which worked very easily… but now trying to get a Pi3 + Kali + Piano 2.1 to work and the squeezelite player just refuses to startup – I get this error :

    Trying to launch … NOT successful Click here to show detailed information
    [18:45:01.718558] test_open:384 playback open error: No such device
    [18:45:01.718801] output_init_common:382 unable to open output device

    I have configured the Allo Piano 2.1 and downloaded the kernel update rebooted numerous times, reflashd the card and started again – 3 times now… always same problem

    I’m sure it’s something simple, any help would be much appreciated

    Thank you!

  23. Jordy 6 Jahren ago

    Hello
    I need to work with M2P and the Firebase data base exists somehow ….
    What I need is that by changing the database a playlist is played and with another a different list

    • Heiner 6 Jahren ago

      Hi Jordy,

      Please detail your request and setup in our forums and I’ll be able to help you more directly.

  24. Szymon 6 Jahren ago

    Hi
    Is it possible to control LMS via Android BubbleUPnP?

    • Heiner 6 Jahren ago

      Hi Szymon,

      If the UPnP/DLNA interface plugin is active in your LMS, you can use it to play music to any players. However, for complete control of all of LMS‘ functions, you need to use the web interface or a Squeezebox app.

  25. John 6 Jahren ago

    Hi I have set up with shairport and can stream music from my apple device to my rasperry pi/hifiberry, I also have an android phone with Allcast but is doesn’t show up on the list. Should i be able to see it and stream from the android device also ?

    • Heiner 6 Jahren ago

      Hi John,

      With any software that recognizes AirPlay devices, shairport should work. It seems AllCast does not support AirPlay. So you have to either use Squeezelite with the Squeezebox Server and its DLNA plugin to be recognized by AllCast, install the gmedia render DLNA player to be recognized by AllCast, or use an app like AllConnect that also supports AirPlay devices 😉

  26. Mika 5 Jahren ago

    Hello, I use your software every day which is really excellent.
    I use a turntable (with touch screen and Digi + card), and another turntable (with Amp2 card).
    I am setting up all my multiroom, and therefore, multiply my decks (9 total).
    I would have liked to know if it was possible to CLONE the Sd card of my turntable (with amp2) to copy the 8 other cards to have in total my 9 identical turntables (Amp2) without reinstalling and setting up (just change the name and IP addresses).
    Sorry for my bad English, i’m french.

    • Heiner 5 Jahren ago

      Hello Mika,

      Yes, you can create an .img file of your Max2Play system with our image burner plugin or you can use a simple software like WinDiskImager for that process.
      Here’s a guide on our image burner

      Also make sure your system can handle the load of 9 players in the same system. You might have to look at a different system than the Raspberry Pi for your server instance.

      In the future, please refer to our forums where we can get into detail on our system and have the whole community benefit from the exchange.

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