Lightweight MP3 app for OSX?

July 2, 2008 8:09 AM

Looking for a lightweight MP3 app for OS X, any suggestions?

I'm looking for something, preferably free, to preview MP3s in OS X in a way they don't automatically get dumped into iTunes. And before you jump on VLC, no. Nothing wrong with VLC, it's just not the droid I'm looking for. While we're at it, anyone know of any good ID3 editors for OSX? Bonus points if these two apps are the same but not necessary.

Thanks.

posted by rathikd to computers & internet (14 comments total)

Are you using OS X 10.4 or 10.5? You know you can just preview in the finder?
posted by twistedonion at 8:24 AM on July 2

Songbird
posted by mcstayinskool at 8:25 AM on July 2

You're not using Leopard, are you? Cause a hit of the spacebar will launch Quick Look, and let you preview them quickly. If not, I used to use Quicktime.

Sorry, no help with the ID3 editor though. Good luck!
posted by Magnakai at 8:26 AM on July 2

I actually just switched my default MP3 player to Quicktime. It's on my Mac and it skips adding MP3s I just want to hear once to my iTunes library.

For ID3 tags I use EasyTAG. Lightweight and simple yet robust.
posted by arniec at 8:27 AM on July 2

Songbird is anything but lightweight.
posted by Magnakai at 8:27 AM on July 2

Cog fits my lightweight MP3 player needs.

As for ID3 Tags, EasyTag is great. I've gotten used to using iTunes, but before that I always used EasyTag.
posted by Ikazuchi at 8:30 AM on July 2

To set the default player for MP3's to Quicktime, just select an mp3 in the finder, and hit apple-I (get info). In the "open with" popup, choose Quicktime, then just below that hit the "change all" button. Now you can just double-click on any mp3 and a nice little player window will open up without booting iTunes at all.
posted by Aquaman at 8:33 AM on July 2

In the Finder, choose "as Columns" from the View menu.

Then, whenever you select an MP3 in the Finder, you can play it directly from the preview pane at the far right. Tiger gives you a standard little QuickTime-style play bar; in Leopard you click the square album icon to play.
posted by designbot at 9:19 AM on July 2

Without having to install any apps -

Quicklook (Leopard), 3 pane Finder view, Finder Get info
posted by wongcorgi at 10:31 AM on July 2

Designbot has my fave way to preview music or videos in OSX. No need to change the associated app (i.e. iTunes)
posted by Thorzdad at 12:22 PM on July 2

What you're looking for, exactly, is Taply. Linkage in a moment.
posted by WCityMike at 1:15 PM on July 2

Here you go.
posted by WCityMike at 1:15 PM on July 2

Drag it to quicktime. Quicktime plays MP3s without a problem. Zero weight. Drag and drop.
posted by filmgeek at 8:01 PM on July 2

I use Play and I love it. It comes with instant Last.fm integration, which is a bonus. If you want a lightweight encoder to go with it, try Max.
posted by nthdegx at 5:59 AM on July 3