How to Start Ecasound Interactive Mode

Ecasound is a versatile command-line utility designed for multitrack audio processing, recording, and mixing. This article explains how to launch Ecasound in its interactive mode directly from the terminal, details the primary command required, and outlines essential controls for navigating the interactive prompt.

The Command to Initiate Interactive Mode

To start Ecasound in interactive mode from your terminal, execute the following command:

ecasound -c

The -c (or --interactive) option instructs Ecasound to start in interactive mode rather than processing a batch command and immediately exiting.

You can also launch interactive mode while simultaneously loading inputs and outputs. For example:

ecasound -c -i somefile.wav -o /dev/dsp

In this case, Ecasound prepares the audio routing and opens the interactive control interface without automatically starting processing.

Basic Usage in Interactive Mode

Once launched, the prompt changes to (ecasound), indicating that the program is awaiting interactive commands. Here are the core commands to get started:

• start: Begins processing or audio playback.
• stop: Halts playback or recording.
• engine-status: Displays the current status of the audio engine (e.g., stopped, running, paused).
• status: Shows the current position in the audio stream along with track information.
• help: Lists available commands and syntax.
• quit (or q): Exits the interactive mode and returns to your standard terminal shell.