# Audio playback Source: [https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70022-50/topic/gst-audio-decode-sample.html](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70022-50/topic/gst-audio-decode-sample.html) The **gst-audio-decode-example** application demonstrates the playback of audio files in WAV, MP3, and FLAC formats. Separate pipelines for each audio format ensure efficient processing and compatibility. This sample application provides a basic template that can be extended and adapted. The following figure shows the pipeline, which reads and parses the audio file, and then decodes and plays the audio. For information about the plugins used in the pipeline, see [Pipeline flow](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70022-50/topic/gst-audio-decode-sample.html#gst-audio-decode-sample__section_ovq_ywt_4bc). Figure : gst-audio-decode-example pipeline mpg123audiodec Decode pulsesink Playback pulsesink Playback flacdec Decode mpegaudioparse Parse wavparse Parse flacparse Parse mp3 filesrc Data capture wav filesrc Data capture filesrc Data capture pulsesink Playback mp3wavflaci/p file Open source ## Run the application 1. Ensure that you complete the [Prerequisites](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70022-50/topic/mm_sample_apps_prerequisites.html). 2. Input at least one of the `.mp3`, `.WAV`, or `.FLAC` audio files on the target device. 3. In the terminal of the target device, use the following command to run the application for different audio formats: gst-audio-decode-example -i /etc/media/ --audio_format=Copy to clipboard The following table provides a description of the command-line parameters: | Command-line parameter | Description | | --- | --- | | `-i` | Specifies the absolute path to the input audio file to
decode | | `--audio_format` | Specifies the format of the audio file:

  • 1 = MP3


  • 2 = WAV


  • 3 = FLAC


| For example, use the following commands to run the application for MP3, WAV, or FLAC audio formats: - Decode MP3: gst-audio-decode-example -i /etc/media/.mp3 --audio_format=1Copy to clipboard - Decode WAV: gst-audio-decode-example -i /etc/media/.wav --audio_format=2 Copy to clipboard - Decode FLAC: gst-audio-decode-example -i /etc/media/.flac --audio_format=3Copy to clipboard 4. To stop the use case, use CTRL + C. 5. In the terminal of the target device, run the following command in the SSH shell to display the available help options: gst-audio-decode-example --helpCopy to clipboard ## Expected output Based on the format (MP3, WAV, FLAC), the decoded audio file is played back. ## Pipeline flow The following table lists the plugins used to run the audio decode pipeline:| Plugin | Description | | --- | --- | | filesrc | Reads the audio files. | |

  • mpegaudioparse


  • wavparse


  • flacparse


| Parses the MPEG, WAV, and FLAC audio files
respectively. | |

  • mpg123audiodec


  • flacdec


| Decodes the MP3 and FLAC files respectively. | | [pulsesink](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70022-50/topic/pulsesink.html) | Plays the decoded audio. | ## Related information [Audio use cases](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70022-50/topic/audio-use-cases.html) **Parent Topic:** [Run sample applications for video and audio](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70022-50/topic/audio-sample-applications.html) Last Published: Feb 20, 2026 [Previous Topic Audio and video encode](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/80-70022-50/topics/gst-audio-video-encode.md) [Next Topic Audio recording](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/80-70022-50/topics/gst-audio-encode-example-without-flac.md)