How to Configure MP3 Support in Kubuntu Linux (Dapper)

Just upgraded to the latest and greatest version of Kubuntu Linux yesterday, the Dapper Drake edition. Such a smooth upgrade path - just modify your /etc/apt/sources.list file, replacing every instance of breezy with dapper (back the file up first, of course), then you simply run the following commands:

sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude dist-upgrade

I left mine to download and upgrade overnight and the next morning I had a fresh install of Kubuntu Dapper! Easy. And everything was intact from before - NTFS partitions mounted, FireFox on latest version, etc.

Only one problem - my mp3s wouldn’t play in amaroK. Since I spent a long time trawling the web for the solution, I’m going to make life easier for you and show you how to set up mp3 support in Kubuntu:

1. You need to add the Multiverse repository to /etc/apt/sources.list. Add the line deb http://nl.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ dapper multiverse. Apparently you modify the nl part to the country you’re in, so mine was gb
2. I think you have to do a quick update here, so from a console window run sudo aptitude update.
3. When that’s done, run the command sudo aptitude install libxine-extracodecs. This will install your mp3 support.
4. Run amaroK. You should probably restart the sound server with killall artsd, or reboot, but I found the mp3 support took effect straight away.

Anyway, I think that’s about right. Give it a go and see what happens, but remember to back stuff up, bless yourself (twice), and don’t blame me if it all goes wrong. I’m finding my way with this stuff too!

Thanks to http://www.interwebworld.co.uk/33/configuring-mp3-support-in-kubuntu-linux-dapper/ for this how-to! Please take note that thehotfix.net will not be held responsible for any damage done to your computer.