Last Updated on September 1, 2020
In operation
Here’s an image of Strawberry in action.
Eagle-eyed users of the latest build will realize that the scrobbling icon is missing. That’s because this image depicts version 0.41.
If you’re familiar with Clementine’s interface, you’ll feel at home with Strawberry. They share a lot of the same functionality, the same layout, although there are lots of differences between the two applications. I’m not going to undertake a detailed comparison between the two. Instead, I’ll talk about what interests me about Strawberry.
To start, you’ll want to define the folders to be scanned for music that makes up your collection. This is found at Settings / Collection. You can specify multiple folders. Then you can use the cover manager to get covers for your albums.
Playlists
If you’ve compiled playlists using other software, you’ll appreciate the ability to load playlists. A wide variety are supported: M3U, XSPF, PLS, ASX, ASX/INI, CUE, and WPL.
Last.fm
This functionality, together with support for Libre.fm and Listenbrainz, has only just been added, so expect a few bugs. For example, there are problems with authentication with Last.fm.
Next page: Page 3 – Other Features
Pages in this article:
Page 1 – Introduction / Installation
Page 2 – In Operation
Page 3 – Other Features
Page 4 – Summary
Thanks for the great review!
Thanks for writing Strawberry!
This player is fantastic!! I always liked Clementine until alsa was removed from the last version. Now i can get bit perfect audio to my external DAC. Thank you for the great review.
I used Clementine for many years but its development became stagnant. Strawberry has been my music player of choice for a while now.
I used to use Strawberry, but fooyin is my current choice.
Hi Luke. Cheers, I just might check out fooyin.
There’s now a Flatpak. 🙂
I have been using Linux Mint since 2014, and I’ve used lots of music players. Some are good but let down, for my needs, by the absence of gapless playback.
I used to use Tauon, more recently Quod Libet and now Strawberry. Both of these latter players share a particularly useful feature for me; they can be used in browser mode (“Files” in Strawberry) so it isn’t necessary so load up a music library. Navigation is easy directly via the file system, and it isn’t as sensitive to tagging, which was somewhat inconvenient in Clementine and then Strawberry, but in browser mode then it works just fine.
Also for my use, it has the edge on Quod Libet with a modern, stylish interface, and as another reviewer has mentioned a few years ago, it can be configured for bit-perfect ALSA output for the best sound quality. My background picture for the playlist is a reel-to-reel tape deck, just a personal touch of nostalgia!
I also occasionally use QMMP, it too can be configured for bit-perfect playback, but just recently I keep coming back to Strawberry; with the stylish interface and sound quality, I sit and listen with a grin on my face. As a bonus, I must say that my air guitar never sounded better!
Have you tried fooyin, Tony?
Hi Luke;
I read about Fooyin a little while ago, it doesn’t appear to be in the repositories (Mint 22.2 at that time, same in 22.3 now). It’s available via Flathub, but I don’t like to use that method, as opinion seems strongly divided between Linux users, some say it’s a great way to install the most up-to-date software versions, others seem to have many complaints about software failing to function properly. So I just use the standard repositories. Pity really, as Fooyin seems to be held in high regard.
Hi Tony
Personally I compile fooyin as it’s straightforward but I have tested the Flatpak which works well. My only complaints about Flatpaks are that they often use up more disk space and can have issues with permissions (but the latter is easily solved with Flatseal).
Given your original comments, fooyin just sprung to mind as a music player that might appeal. It has a super directory browser mode, it supports gapless playback, and is highly customizable.
Hi Luke;
Maybe I’ll give fooyin a try sometime, now that you have put the idea in my mind again, there’s a possibility that I’ll suddenly decide to go for it. That’s how things often work for me! Especially as I have never compiled software (although I have read online instructions of how to do so), so learning that could open the door to other software (not just music players) which I haven’t used because they aren’t in the repositories.
In any case,Thank You for taking the time to reply, another example of how Linux operating systems are backed up by a knowledgeable user community, you just can’t go wrong!
If you decide to give fooyin a go, let me know and I can help with any installation issues.