MPC-QT: Remember Volume & Show Playlist

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MPC-QT: Remember Volume & Show Playlist

Hey guys! So, you've recently hopped onto Zorin OS Core 18 and got MPC-QT installed. Awesome! It's a fantastic player, and I totally get why you're digging it. Now, let's talk about making it even sweeter for your daily grind. You've got two burning questions, and they're super common ones: how to make MPC-QT remember your volume settings between sessions, and how to get that playlist to pop back up when you need it. Don't sweat it, we'll dive deep into both of these!

Making MPC-QT Remember Your Volume Settings

Alright, let's tackle the volume first, because who likes fiddling with the slider every single time they open a new file, right? You want that 30% volume to stick around, and thankfully, MPC-QT can do this for you. The key here is saving your preferences. When you adjust the volume to your liking, you need to ensure that MPC-QT is set to remember these settings. In many media players, this is a straightforward option, but sometimes it hides in the settings menu. For MPC-QT, this behavior is usually tied to its general preference saving mechanism.

First off, let's make sure you've actually told MPC-QT to save its state. Head over to the Options menu. You should find a section related to 'Preferences' or 'Settings'. Look for an option that says something like "Save current settings on exit" or "Remember window size and position". While these might not directly mention volume, they often encompass the player's overall state. If you find an option specifically about "Remember volume" or "Save volume level", that's your golden ticket! Tick that box, guys. After changing this setting, try closing MPC-QT completely and then reopening a file. If it works, you should see the volume at the level you left it. If you don't see an explicit volume saving option, make sure the general 'save settings' option is enabled. Sometimes, the player saves the volume as part of the general session data, and enabling that is enough.

A little trick I've found with some players is to actually save the session or playlist with the desired volume. While you're playing a file and have the volume set, try going to File -> Save Playlist or Save Session. Even if you just save it as a temporary playlist, it might embed the current playback state, including the volume. The next time you open that specific saved file or playlist, the volume might be recalled. This isn't a global setting for all files, but it can be a workaround for frequently played media.

Another thing to check is if MPC-QT is creating a configuration file that stores these settings. On Linux systems, these are often located in your home directory under a hidden .config folder, or sometimes a .local/share folder. Look for a directory named something like mpc-qt or similar. Inside, you might find a config or settings.ini file. You could manually edit this file, but that's usually a last resort and can be risky if you're not comfortable. The best bet is always to find the in-app setting. If you've exhausted the 'Options' menu and can't find anything explicit, it's worth checking the MPC-QT documentation or their forums. Sometimes, a specific setting might be buried or require a slight tweak.

To summarize the volume fix:

  1. Check MPC-QT's Options -> Preferences/Settings menu.
  2. Look for options like "Save current settings on exit", "Remember volume", or "Save volume level".
  3. Enable any relevant options.
  4. Close and reopen MPC-QT to test.
  5. If no direct option exists, ensure general settings saving is enabled.

Keep in mind, guys, that sometimes software updates can reset preferences, so if it stops working, just retrace these steps. It's usually a quick fix!

Getting Your MPC-QT Playlist to Reappear

Now, onto the playlist! You want it to slide back into view when you wave your mouse cursor near the edge, a pretty common and convenient UI feature. This is often called "auto-hide" or "hover to reveal" functionality. It's designed to give you more screen real estate when you're just watching something, but then easily accessible when you need to manage your queue.

In MPC-QT, this playlist behavior is usually controlled within the playlist settings or view options. Again, head to the Options menu, and this time, specifically look for sections related to the 'Playlist' or the 'View'. You might see checkboxes or settings like:

  • "Auto-hide playlist"
  • "Show playlist on mouse hover"
  • "Playlist dock"

If you see an "Auto-hide playlist" option, enabling it is likely what you need. Then, there should be a corresponding setting to make it reappear on hover. Sometimes, these two are linked – enabling auto-hide automatically enables the hover-to-reveal.

Where to look specifically:

  • Go to Options -> Preferences (or Settings).
  • Navigate to a tab or section labeled 'Playlist', 'Interface', or 'View'.
  • Look for settings related to the playlist's visibility and behavior.

If you enable "Auto-hide playlist", the playlist pane should disappear when you move your mouse away from it. Then, when you move your mouse cursor to the edge of the screen where the playlist usually resides (typically the left or right side), it should gracefully slide back into view. This is a fantastic feature for keeping your workspace clean.

What if it's not working?

Sometimes, this feature might be disabled by default, or it could be tied to a specific layout setting. If you've checked the main preferences and can't find the option, here are a few more things to consider:

  1. Check the Playlist Window Itself: Sometimes, the playlist window has its own mini-menu or options. Right-click on the playlist header (if it's visible) or look for a small 'settings' icon within the playlist area itself. It's less common, but worth a shot.

  2. Layout Options: Some players allow you to save different 'layouts'. Ensure you're not in a layout that has the playlist permanently hidden or disabled. Try resetting to a default layout if that option is available.

  3. Context Menu: When the playlist is visible, check its context menu (right-click). There might be an option there to toggle auto-hide or hover behavior.

  4. MPC-QT Version/Distribution Specifics: Since you're on Zorin OS Core 18, it's possible there's a slight variation in how MPC-QT is packaged or configured. If the standard options aren't there, searching for "MPC-QT Zorin OS playlist hover" might yield specific tips from other users on that distro.

  5. Check the 'View' Menu: Often, the option to show or hide the playlist panel is directly in the main View menu of the application. Look for View -> Playlist and see if there are sub-options for visibility or docking behavior.

Let's break down the playlist solution:

  1. Navigate to Options -> Preferences/Settings.
  2. Find the 'Playlist' or 'Interface' section.
  3. Enable options like "Auto-hide playlist" and "Show playlist on mouse hover".
  4. Test by moving your mouse away from and towards the playlist edge.
  5. If needed, explore the 'View' menu and playlist context menus for related settings.

Remember, guys, these settings are designed to enhance your experience, so fiddling around in the options is usually the way to go. MPC-QT is a powerful tool, and with a few tweaks, you can get it working exactly how you want it. Enjoy your media playback on Zorin OS!