1by1

Review: 1by1 Audio Player

1by1 presents a refreshing contrast to the feature-rich and often resource-intensive audio players prevalent today. Its core philosophy revolves around simplicity, speed, and direct access to your music files. Instead of building and maintaining a potentially large and complex library database, 1by1 operates as a sophisticated folder navigator that also happens to play audio files. This approach has significant implications for performance and usability, making 1by1 a compelling choice for specific user needs.

Upon launching 1by1, the immediate impression is its speed. The application starts almost instantly, even on modest hardware. The interface is deliberately sparse, presenting a file explorer-like view on the left pane and playback controls with cover art (if available) on the right. Navigating through folders is quick and responsive, allowing users to easily browse even extensive music collections housed within complex directory structures. Supported audio files within selected folders are listed and can be played with a simple double-click.

Supported formats include the ubiquitous MP3, OGG, WAV, and importantly, CUE sheets. CUE sheet support is a valuable addition for those who listen to full albums contained within a single audio file, as it allows for proper track segmentation and navigation. Gapless playback further enhances the listening experience, ensuring smooth transitions between tracks, which is crucial for live albums, classical music, and electronic mixes.

One of 1by1's standout features is its portability. The application is self-contained and does not require installation. This makes it excellent for carrying on a USB drive to play music on different computers without leaving any traces or requiring administrative privileges. The configuration settings and playback history can also be stored alongside the executable, providing a consistent experience across different systems.

Despite its minimalist design, 1by1 includes several useful features often found in larger players. Last.fm scrobbling is supported, allowing users to track their listening habits. Basic visualization options and an attempt to find lyrics add to the playback experience. While not as feature-rich as some alternatives in terms of extensive metadata editing or complex playlist creation, 1by1 focuses on doing the essentials well with minimal overhead.

The user interface, while functional, is undeniably spartan. Users accustomed to visually elaborate players with extensive graphical interfaces might find it too basic. However, this simplicity is integral to 1by1's performance. Customization options are available, primarily for adjusting colors and the layout to some extent, but deep theming is not a core capability.

The folder-based approach to music management is both a strength and a potential limitation. For users who meticulously organize their music within folders, it's a perfect fit. For those who rely heavily on metadata tags (like genre, artist, album year) for organizing and creating playlists, the lack of a robust tag-based library view might require rethinking their workflow or accepting the limitations.

Overall, 1by1 is an exceptional audio player for users who prioritize:

• Speed and performance
• Minimal system resource usage
• Portability
• Direct folder-based music management
• Simple and efficient playback

It successfully delivers on its promise of being a small, fast, and handy audio player. It might not be the best choice for users seeking extensive features like advanced audio processing, complex smart playlists based on detailed metadata, or a visually stunning interface. However, for its intended purpose – efficient, no-nonsense audio playback directly from your file system – 1by1 is arguably one of the best options available.