Is the Clementine Music Player good for running in the background?

[Dongmyeong]

One unsung feature I've always liked about PCs, that consoles don't have is that if you don't like a game's music you can just switch it off and run a media player in the background. So I was hoping to do the same on the Steam Deck.
I want one that can both:
1. Play internet radio stations,spotify, etc when at home and having access to wifi.
2. Play MP3, OGG, etc music files from the SD card for when I'm away and don't have internet.
Searching the discovery store in desktop mode I found exactly one media player that can do both, the Clementine Music Player.
https://www.clementine-player.org/
So questions: Has anyone here tried that one and can confirm it runs nicely in the background without causing issues?

[eighthgrader]

You could just try it yourself and let us know how it went :) I think many would find this useful.

But to your question, I haven't tried this particular player (I did try Kodi though), but such a setup works fine in general. You just add a player of your choice as a Non-Steam Game, and then you will (should) be able to run it in Gaming Mode (assuming that's what your question is about) in parallel with a game. It will be of course inconvenient to skip/change playing tracks/radios, because you'll need to switch from your game to the player and back (as there is no global media/hotkeys support, as far as I know), but it is what it is.

[Dongmyeong]

Originally posted by retif:

You just add a player of your choice as a Non-Steam Game, and then you will (should) be able to run it in Gaming Mode (assuming that's what your question is about) in parallel with a game.

Yes running it parallel is what I'm intending. I'm already familiar with adding stuff as a Non-Steam game from installing a few of my GOG games. However I was wondering how I would then go about launching a game, while the media player is running. In gaming mode I can't just minimize it like I would on a desktop enviroment.

[eighthgrader]

Ah, yes. Having launched the media player, you just press Steam button and select Home or Library, and from there you can launch your game as usual. You'll also notice that on the top of the Steam menu there is now your media player running. And as soon as you launch a game, it will be added to that list too, so next time you press Steam button you'll be able to switch between media player and game (or any other running applications/games).

[coffeeguy1]

I really wish that Steam would add the music player that is built into the desktop client. I really love that feature and would use it on the deck.

[Mahjik]

Originally posted by coffeeguy1:

I really wish that Steam would add the music player that is built into the desktop client. I really love that feature and would use it on the deck.

Make a Feature Request: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1675200/discussions/2/

[jrepin]

Keep in mind Clementine is no longer actively developed. The development continues as Strawberry[www.strawberrymusicplayer.org] player now.

[Dongmyeong]

Originally posted by jrepin:

Keep in mind Clementine is no longer actively developed. The development continues as Strawberry[www.strawberrymusicplayer.org] player now.

Ohh I didn't know that. Going to go for that one then. Strange though that it didn't show up when searching the Discovery App with "Radio" as search string. Does it support playing internet radios?

[Dongmyeong]

Originally posted by retif:

Ah, yes. Having launched the media player, you just press Steam button and select Home or Library, and from there you can launch your game as usual. You'll also notice that on the top of the Steam menu there is now your media player running. And as soon as you launch a game, it will be added to that list too, so next time you press Steam button you'll be able to switch between media player and game (or any other running applications/games).

Need your help again. I've installed it in desktop mode now, but can't add it as a non-steam game to have access in normal mode. I know how to, I just can't find it. I have no idea where discovery installs stuff. Can't find Firefox either for that matter. Just wasted 20 minutes of my life going through the file explore without success.

[Moogal™]

G2Music is what i use and it mostly works well for running in Steam.

[eighthgrader]

I have no idea where discovery installs stuff

It is actually easier than adding a "regular" non-Steam game/applicaton, because when you are in the Add a Game window you don't need to click on Browse - it is already available in the list, just scroll and find it.