AIMP 4.51.2070

AIMP is a capable music player with some useful extra features.

Core audio support is good, with the program supporting a wide range of input formats: .CDA, .AAC, .AC3, .APE, .DTS, .FLAC, .IT, .MIDI, .MO3, .MOD, .M4A, .M4B, .MP1, .MP2, .MP3, .MPC, .MTM, .OFR, .OGG, .RMI, .S3M, .SPX, .TAK, .TTA, .UMX, .WAV, .WMA, .WV and .XM. In a couple of clicks you'll be browsing for files, folders, playlists or URLs you'd like AIMP to handle, and the program's 32-bit audio processing should ensure you get the best possible sound quality.

If you need more, though, AIMP's integrated 18-band EQ can apply some useful audio tweaks. If you prefer an easy life then you can apply one of the seventeen presets in a click or two for instant results. Or, if you like to be more "hands on", then the DSP Manager supports various effects (Echo, Chorus, Speed, Reverb, Bass, Tempo, Flanger, Enhancer, Pitch). And you can expand the program's capabilities further by, for example, adding various Winamp plugins.

You also get a surprisingly capable scheduler. You can have this shut down the computer at a particular time, or when a file or entire playlist has finished. Or you're able to create an alarm, where the program pops up to play a specified file at your chosen time. AIMP can even start this at a very low volume, then keep increasing it over time, handy if the program's being used to gently wake you up.

And there's more. You can record audio, rip CDs or convert audio files in general to MP3, OGG, WMA and WAV formats, for instance. And there's an audio library manager, a tag editor, an Internet Radio tool and more, yet the program remains fairly compact. The standard installation required under 19MB on our test PC, and it can be installed to a USB flash drive for portable audio playing if you prefer.

Version 4.51 build 2070  brings these changes (see the changelog for more info):

- Audio Converter: new encoding mode - "single folder - single file"
- DSP-Manager: an ability to remove silence longer than 0.5 seconds
- DSP-Manager: Now you can specify different preamp values for the "on-the-fly analysis" or "value from tags" modes
- Tag Editor: an ability to start autonumeration from specified index

AIMP is a very powerful audio player which comes packed with useful extras and rich functionality, everywhere you look. Initially it can seem intimidating, with tiny buttons dotted everywhere, but smart interface design and helpful tooltips mean it's generally easy to use.