# Audio playback Source: [https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/gst-audio-decode-sample.html](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/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/80-70020-50/topic/gst-audio-decode-sample.html#gst-audio-decode-sample__section_ovq_ywt_4bc). Figure : gst-audio-decode-example pipeline ## Prerequisites - [Get started with the Qualcomm IM SDK](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-51/install-sdk.html) for your Qualcomm Linux 1.5 or Ubuntu Server. - Activate SSH on your Qualcomm Linux or Ubuntu to sign in with SSH and connect to the target device. For instructions see: - [Sign in using SSH](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-254/how_to.html#use-ssh) for Qualcomm Linux - [Sign in using SSH](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-90441-1/Use_Ubuntu_on_RB3_Gen2_3.html#sign-in-to-the-rb3-gen-2-console-using-ssh) for Ubuntu Server Note: If SSH is already set up and Wi-Fi is connected, skip this step. - Use the HDMI port to connect the display to the device. For instructions, see [Set up HDMI display](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-18/samples.html). - Sign in to the target device using SSH. - In the terminal of the target device, run the following commands from the SSH shell of the target device to activate the display on the host computer: - For Linux: export XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/dev/socket/weston && export WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-1Copy to clipboard - For Ubuntu Server: export XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/run/user/$(id -u ubuntu)/ && export WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-1 Copy to clipboard - Connect the speaker to activate the audio on the target device. For instructions, see [Set up audio hardware](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-16/enable-audio.html). If you face issues in recording the audio, run the following command in the terminal of the target device: pactl set-default-source pal_source_speaker_micCopy to clipboard - If you face issues with the camera or display, see [Camera troubleshooting](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-17/troubleshooting.html) and [Display troubleshooting](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-18/debug.html). ## Run the application 1. Ensure that you input at least one of the `.mp3`, `.WAV`, or `.FLAC` audio files on the target device. 2. 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 3. To stop the use case, use CTRL + C. 4. 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 playback 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/80-70020-50/topic/pulsesink.html) | Plays the decoded audio. | ## Related information [Audio use cases](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/audio-use-cases.html) **Parent Topic:** [Run sample applications for video and audio](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/audio-sample-applications.html) Last Published: Jan 30, 2026 [Previous Topic Audio and video encode](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/80-70020-50/topics/gst-audio-video-encode.md) [Next Topic Audio recording](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/80-70020-50/topics/gst-audio-encode-example-without-flac.md)