In this tutorial, you'll learn how to install and use Snapcast on POP! OS, which is an open-source multi-room audio player that allows you to stream audio to multiple network speakers or devices in sync.
Before we begin, make sure that you have the following:
To install Snapcast, you need to add the Snapcast repository to your system's list of software sources. Here's how:
Open the Terminal app on your POP! OS system.
Type in the following command and press Enter:
echo "deb http://archive.snapcast.io/pop_latest/ $(lsb_release -sc) universe" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/snapcast.list
This command adds the Snapcast repository to your system's sources list.
Next, add the Snapcast GPG key to your system's keyring by typing in the following command and pressing Enter:
curl -sS http://archive.snapcast.io/public.key | sudo apt-key add -
Update your system's package list by running the following command:
sudo apt update
Finally, install Snapcast on your system by running the following command:
sudo apt install snapserver snapclient
Once Snapcast is installed on your system, you need to configure it to work with your network speakers or devices. Here's how:
Open the Terminal app on your POP! OS system.
Type in the following command and press Enter:
sudo nano /etc/snapserver.conf
This command opens the Snapcast server configuration file in the Nano text editor.
Look for the following lines in the configuration file:
#stream = mpd:///var/run/mpd/socket
#stream = pipe:///tmp/snapfifo?name=default
#stream = pipe:///tmp/snapfifo?name=example
Uncomment the line that corresponds to the type of audio stream you want to use. For example, if you want to use MPD, uncomment the first line.
Save the changes to the configuration file by pressing Ctrl+O, followed by Ctrl+X to close Nano.
Restart the Snapcast server by running the following command:
sudo systemctl restart snapserver
Repeat the above steps on each device that you want to stream audio to.
Now that you have Snapcast installed and configured on your system, you can start using it to stream audio to your network speakers or devices. Here's how:
Open the Terminal app on your POP! OS system.
Type in the following command and press Enter:
snapclient -h
This command displays the available options for the Snapcast client.
Start the Snapcast client by running the following command:
snapclient --host <server-ip-address>
Replace <server-ip-address> with the IP address of the Snapcast server.
Once the Snapcast client is running, open your favorite audio player (such as Rhythmbox, VLC, or Audacious) and select the "Snapcast" output device from the list of available audio outputs.
Start playing the audio track you want to stream, and the audio will be synced across all of your network speakers or devices.
That's it! You have successfully installed and configured Snapcast on your POP! OS system, and you can now use it to stream audio to multiple network speakers or devices in sync. Explore the various options for the Snapcast server and clients to customize your multi-room audio setup.
If you want to self-host in an easy, hands free way, need an external IP address, or simply want your data in your own hands, give IPv6.rs a try!
Alternatively, for the best virtual desktop, try Shells!
