This blog post details how to create a simple WAV file audio player using a Raspberry Pi Pico and a VS1053B audio decoder chip. The author outlines the hardware connections, provides the necessary MicroPython code, and explains the process of converting WAV files to a suitable format for the VS1053B using a provided Python script. The code initializes the SPI bus, sets up communication with the VS1053B, and then reads and sends the WAV file data to the decoder for playback. The project offers a straightforward method for adding audio capabilities to Pico projects.
DeaDBeeF is a modular music player for Linux, *BSD, Android, macOS, and other UNIX-like systems. It prioritizes audio quality and offers a wide array of features including support for numerous lossless and lossy audio formats, gapless playback, ReplayGain, customizable playlists, and a powerful plugin architecture enabling extensibility. Its focus is on lightweight performance and a simple, efficient user interface, making it a robust and customizable audio player for serious music listeners.
Hacker News users discuss DeaDBeeF's minimalist nature, praising its speed and efficiency, particularly on older hardware. Several commenters appreciate its customizability and plugin ecosystem, contrasting it favorably with bloated music players. Some lament the lack of a polished macOS version and the somewhat dated UI, but overall the sentiment is positive, with users highlighting its reliability and focus on core music playback functionality. A few share their long-term usage of the player, reinforcing its reputation as a stable and dependable choice for audiophiles and power users seeking a lightweight alternative. Some mention specific features like playlist management and format support as particularly strong points.
Meelo is a self-hosted music server designed for serious music collectors and enthusiasts. It focuses on efficient management of large music libraries, providing features like fast search, flexible tagging (including custom tags), playlist creation, and a clean, responsive web interface. Built with Rust and using SQLite, Meelo emphasizes performance and stability while remaining lightweight and easy to deploy. It aims to offer a user-friendly experience for organizing and enjoying extensive music collections, prioritizing local playback over streaming.
HN users generally praised Meelo's interface and feature set, particularly appreciating its support for large libraries, advanced tagging, and playlist management. Some questioned the choice of Go and SvelteKit, suggesting alternatives like Rust and SolidJS for performance and ease of development. Others requested features like collaborative playlists, transcoding, and mobile apps. There was some concern about the project's longevity and the potential burden of maintenance for a solo developer. A few commenters expressed interest in contributing. Overall, the reception was positive, with many users eager to try Meelo or follow its development.
Summary of Comments ( 14 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43230821
Hacker News users discussed the practicality and limitations of the Raspberry Pi Pico as an audio player. Several commenters pointed out the Pico's limited storage, suggesting SD card solutions or alternative microcontrollers like the ESP32 with built-in flash. Others questioned the need for code to handle WAV file parsing, advocating for simpler PCM data streaming. Some users expressed interest in using the project for specific applications like playing short notification sounds or chiptune music. The discussion also touched upon the Pico's suitability for audio synthesis and the potential of the RP2040 chip.
The Hacker News post titled "Raspberry Pi Pico audio player" (linking to http://lucstechblog.blogspot.com/2025/02/raspberry-pi-pico-audio-player.html) has several comments discussing various aspects of the project and its potential.
One commenter points out the interesting choice of using a DAC for audio output, contrasting it with the more common PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) approach typically used with the RP2040 microcontroller found on the Pico. They express curiosity about the reasoning behind this decision, speculating about potential advantages in terms of audio quality or resource usage. The commenter also raises the question of whether using the DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller alongside the DAC might free up the CPU for other tasks, which could be beneficial for more complex projects.
Another commenter focuses on the user interface aspect, suggesting improvements to the described button-based control system. They propose using a rotary encoder instead of individual buttons, highlighting its more intuitive and user-friendly nature for tasks like volume adjustment and track selection. This suggestion reflects a focus on enhancing the overall user experience of the audio player.
Further discussion delves into the technical details of audio playback on microcontrollers. One comment mentions the RP2040's PIO (Programmable Input/Output) state machines as a potential alternative for audio output, comparing its capabilities to the DAC and PWM methods. This introduces a more advanced technical perspective, suggesting that different hardware resources within the RP2040 can be leveraged for audio generation depending on the specific requirements of the project.
The practicality of the project is also questioned, with one commenter expressing skepticism about using a microcontroller-based system for playing larger audio files due to limited storage capacity. They suggest that streaming audio from a separate device might be a more realistic approach for extensive music libraries. This comment brings up the limitations inherent in using a resource-constrained device like the Raspberry Pi Pico for certain applications.
Finally, a comment praises the project's simplicity and accessibility, noting the clear and concise nature of the blog post and its potential to inspire others to explore similar projects. This highlights the educational value of the project and its contribution to the maker community.