You can read about AIMP6 and all its innovations in this article. Here we will examine in detail the differences in the player’s capabilities on different operating systems.

System requirements

AIMP for Linux is based on GTK3 and Cairo, which are available on almost all distributives. However, there are some requirements that can’t be met everywhere:

• x86-64 based CPU
• Minimal required version of libc is v2.32
• Support for alpha-composing by Desktop Manager
• Support for X11 protocol (or XWayland) by Desktop Manager

Differences

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AIMP BUILDS FOR DIFFERENT PLATFORMS:	Win32	Win64	Wine	Linux
Plugins from old AIMP / Winamp / Sonique	✔️	❌	❌	❌
Plugins from AIMP5	✔️	✔️	✔️	❌
DSP/VST plugins	✔️	✔️	✔️	❌
Playback of TAK format	✔️	✔️	✔️	❌
Encoding to TAK format	✔️	✔️	✔️	❌
Playback of WMA format	✔️	✔️	❌	✔️
Encoding to WMA format	✔️	✔️	❌	❌
Encoding to OPUS format	✔️	✔️	✔️	❕
Taskbar button customization	✔️	✔️	❌	❌
Global hot keys	✔️	✔️	❕	✔️
Per-monitor DPI support	✔️	✔️	❌	❌
Docking the windows via drag-n-drop	✔️	✔️	✔️	❕
Desktop toolbars	✔️	✔️	❌	❌
Control via tray icon	✔️	✔️	✔️	❕
Associations with file formats	✔️	✔️	❌	✔️
Icons pack for associated file formats	✔️	✔️	❌	❕
Integration to OS shell environment	✔️	✔️	❌	❌

Let’s take a closer look at partially implemented functions (❕).

Encoding to OPUS

Encoding in this format is based on a standard Opus Tools. If you need to support this format in an audio converter, you must manually install the opus-tools package for your system.

Docking the windows via drag-n-drop

By default, AIMP uses the system window movement mechanism, it implements smoother movement and the ability to use system features for window positioning.

If you need to dock one window with another, start moving it holding the Shift key or dock the window via command in context menu:

Global hot keys

Some operating systems, despite supporting the X11 protocol, do not allow the app to set global hot keys. But, you can set desired combination in OS settings and forward it to the app via command line, for example:

aimp -hotkey "Ctrl+Shift+S"

Next, set this combination for required command in the app settings and the global hotkey will work!

Control via tray icon

The availability of some functions depends on the OS environment, its settings, and the availability of the AppIndicator library. In summary, supported functions list is distributed as follows:

Functions	Windows	APPINDICATOR*	Cinnamon	KDE	XFCE	MATE	FLY
Context Menu	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Single Click	✔️	❌	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Double Click	✔️	❌	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Wheel Click	✔️	❌	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Adjust volume via mouse wheel	❕	❌	✔️	❕	✔️	✔️	✔️
Display track info on mouse hover	✔️	❌	✔️	❌	✔️	✔️	✔️

* AppIndicator is required for Gnome; but ignored for Cinnamon, XFCE or Mate.

Icons pack for associated file formats

Customization of icons for file types in Linux is carried out exclusively through the OS, in comparison with Windows, it will not be possible to do this through the player.

Afterword

Today, AIMP6 is moving from the alpha-testing stage to the beta-testing stage. The app may still contain many errors. Please, do not use it if stability is important for you. Also, let us know about everything you find, even if it’s something insignificant. Don’t forget to specify app build number and your OS version.

Warning! If you’ve been wanting to switch to Linux for a long time, but haven’t done so yet, don’t start getting to know this OS by installing AIMP – we won’t be able to help you get used to it.

Warning! You must uninstall wine-based version of app before installing native one.

Download AIMP6 Beta: for Windows, for Linux.