AIMP 5.40 Build 2699 – Outstanding Audio Experience

AIMP (Artem Izmaylov Media Player) is a powerful free audio player for Windows and Linux that delivers professional quality sound without costing a single dollar. Created by Russian developer Artem Izmaylov, this software has been continuously improved since its first release on August 8, 2006.

The latest version was released on November 14, 2025 and brings performance improvements and bug fixes that make listening to music even smoother. AIMP supports over 30 audio formats and processes audio in 32-bit for crystal clear sound quality.

What makes AIMP special is its combination of lightweight design and powerful features. The software takes up only 21MB of disk space but includes professional tools like a 20-band equalizer, built-in sound effects and advanced audio processing. Whether you are a casual listener or an audiophile, AIMP provides the quality and flexibility you need.

Core Features That Set AIMP Apart

Extensive Format Support

AIMP plays virtually any audio file you throw at it:

• Lossless Formats – FLAC, APE, WV, TTA, TAK, OFR, DFF, DSF
• Common Formats – MP3, MP2, MP1, AAC, M4A, M4B, OGG, OPUS
• Module Formats – MOD, IT, S3M, XM, MTM, MO3, UMX
• Other Formats – WAV, WMA, MPC, SPX, AIFF, WebM, MKA, AA3, AT3, OMA
• CDA Support – Play audio directly from CDs
• MPEG-DASH – Stream YouTube audio

The player also supports CUE Sheets for handling large audio files divided into tracks.

Professional Audio Quality

• 32-bit Audio Processing – Ensures best possible sound quality
• Output Support – DirectSound, ASIO, WASAPI and WASAPI Exclusive modes
• WASAPI Support – AIMP comes by default with modern WASAPI audio output support providing purest sound output unadultered by the Windows mixer in WASAPI Exclusive mode
• RAM Caching – Store currently played media file in RAM up to 250MB for smooth playback
• Internet Radio Buffer – Cache up to 60 seconds of radio streams to prevent interruptions

Powerful Equalizer and Sound Effects

• 20-band Graphic Equalizer – More bands than most players (standard is 10-18 bands)
• 22 Default Presets – Quick settings for different music genres
• Custom Presets – Create and save your own EQ settings
• +15/-15 dB Preamplification – Boost or reduce overall volume

Built-in Sound Effects:

• Reverb – Add space and depth to audio
• Flanger – Create swooshing, jet-like effects
• Chorus – Thicken and enrich sound
• Pitch Control – Change pitch without affecting speed
• Tempo Control – Adjust speed without changing pitch
• Echo – Add repeating delay effects
• Speed Changer – Slow down or speed up playback
• Bass Enhancer – Boost low frequencies
• Voice Remover – Create karaoke tracks

Advanced Volume Controls

• Volume Normalization – Peak based normalization and ReplayGain support
• Logarithmic Volume Control – Natural feeling volume adjustments
• Loudness Compensation – Maintain perceived volume at low levels
• Audio Ducking – Automatically lower music volume during announcements

Mixing and Crossfading Options

• Fade In/Fade Out – Smooth start and end of tracks
• Cross-mixing – Blend tracks together seamlessly
• Pause Between Tracks – Set custom gaps between songs
• Silence Remover – Automatically skip silent portions

Music Library and Organization

Smart Music Management

The Music Library acts as a powerful organizer for your entire collection by making it easy to find and play any song.

Key Library Features:

• Organize music files from multiple directories
• Set marks for listened tracks automatically
• Keep detailed playback statistics
• Search across your entire collection
• Filter and group tracks by various criteria
• Rate songs and albums

Smart Playlists

• Create playlists based on Music Library database
• Filter and group data automatically
• Generate playlists from one or multiple folders
• Update dynamically as library changes

Cloud Storage Integration

Access and stream music from popular cloud services:

• OneDrive
• Google Drive
• Dropbox
• Облако@mail.ru (Mail.ru Cloud)
• Яндекс.Диск (Yandex Disk)
• Custom WebDAV servers

Podcast Support

Subscribe to and manage podcast feeds directly in AIMP without needing separate podcast applications.

Internet Radio Capabilities

Stream Radio Stations

• Listen to internet radio in OGG, WAV, MP3, AAC and AAC+ formats
• Browse thousands of stations by genre
• Add custom radio station URLs
• Save favorite stations for quick access

Radio Recording

Capture streams in multiple formats:

• APE (lossless)
• FLAC (lossless)
• OGG
• WAV
• WV (WavPack)
• WMA
• MP3

Special Recording Options:

• Capture stream as-is for MP3, AAC and AAC+ formats (no re-encoding)
• Split recordings by track automatically
• Save with proper metadata

Playlist Management

Multiple Playlists

• Work with unlimited playlists simultaneously
• While one playlist plays, edit another
• Switch between playlists instantly

Flexible Display Options

• Display track data in one or two lines
• Group tracks using custom templates
• Apply different settings to each playlist
• Block playlists from accidental changes

Bookmarks and Queue

• Create bookmarks at specific points in tracks
• Build playback queues on the fly
• Resume playback from bookmarks later
• Perfect for audiobooks and podcasts

File Search

Search for files across all opened playlists with instant results.

Audio Converter Tool

Multi-Threaded Encoding

Convert audio files faster using all CPU cores for maximum performance.

Flexible Encoding Modes

• Single Source – Single Result – Convert files individually
• Single Folder – Single Result – Combine folder contents into one file with CUE Sheet
• All Sources – Single Result – Merge multiple files with CUE Sheet generation

Supported Output Formats

• APE (Monkey’s Audio lossless)
• MP3
• FLAC (lossless)
• OGG Vorbis
• WAV
• WMA
• WMA Pro
• OPUS
• MusePack
• WavPack

External Encoder Support: Use command-line encoders for additional formats

Audio CD Ripper

• Import audio directly from CDs
• Automatic track detection
• Metadata lookup online
• Save in any supported format

Conversion Features

• Volume normalization during conversion
• ReplayGain calculation
• Change input audio stream format
• Auto shut down computer after conversion

Advanced Tag Editor

Comprehensive Tag Support

• ID3v1 – Legacy MP3 tags
• ID3v2 – Modern MP3 tags
• APE – High-quality tags
• Vorbis – OGG file tags
• WMA – Windows Media tags
• M4A – Apple audio tags

Batch Editing

• Apply changes to multiple files at once
• Auto-number tracks
• Fill tags based on filename
• Copy and paste between fields

File Organization

• Rename files based on tags
• Sort files by folder structure
• Use custom templates for organization
• Transliterate text automatically
• Change text case (uppercase, lowercase, title case)

Advanced Tag Features

• ReplayGain Calculation – Analyze and write ReplayGain info for tracks, albums or album groups
• BPM Detection – Calculate beats per minute automatically
• Chapter Editor – Create or edit chapters in large audio files and CUE sheets

Flexible User Interface

Highly Customizable Layout

• Maximize, minimize or use Mini Player mode
• Send to system tray to save taskbar space
• Resize and rearrange interface elements
• Choose which panels to display

Multiple Skins Included

• Charm UI – Modern flat style with 4K and High DPI support
• Bliss 4K – Standard skin from AIMP4
• Pandemic – Classic skin from AIMP3

User Skins – Download thousands of free community-created skins from platforms like DeviantArt

4K and High DPI Support

AIMP scales perfectly on high-resolution displays:

• 125% scaling
• 150% scaling
• 175% scaling
• 200% scaling

Multi-Language Support

Interface available in 12 languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Swedish, Italian, Russian, Korean, Chinese Simplified and Chinese Traditional.

Task Scheduler and Automation

Simple Scheduler

Create unlimited automated tasks that start by timer or event.

Task Repeat Options:

• One-time execution
• Daily repetition
• Weekly scheduling
• Monthly scheduling
• Yearly scheduling
• Throughout the day intervals

Available Actions:

• Jump to next track
• Start, suspend or resume playback
• Play specific track or playlist
• Start or stop radio recording
• Return to previous playlist after X tracks
• Change volume with fade support
• Hibernate or sleep computer
• Shutdown PC
• Close AIMP

Alarm Clock Feature

• Wake up computer from sleep mode
• Start playing music at scheduled time
• Perfect for morning wake-up routine

Latest Updates in New Version

The November 2025 release brings several important improvements:

Performance Enhancements:

• General performance has been increased
• Better memory efficiency
• Faster file operations

Tag Editor Improvements:

• Chapters editor now has confirmation for unsaved changes
• OPUS files support ReplayGain information written by rsgain utility
• Improved encoding detection algorithm

File Manager:

• Ignores meta-files generated by MacOS

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed IPC-client hanging if IPC-server unavailable
• Fixed sound engine skipping parts when switching output devices
• Fixed spontaneous stuttering with active resampler
• Fixed playlist name disappearing after auto-naming
• Fixed high-resolution timers hanging under high OS load
• Fixed incorrect total duration calculation in music library

Plugin and Extension Support

Built-in Scrobbler

Automatically track your listening habits and submit to:

• Last.fm
• Libre.fm
• Listen Brainz

Plugin Support

• Add new utilities through plugins
• Extend existing functionality
• WinAmp Plugin Compatibility – Use select WinAmp plugins
• Input, DSP and Gen plugins supported

Popular Plugin Types:

• YouTube playlist playback
• SoundCloud streaming
• Spectrum analyzers
• Visual effects
• Remote control
• Additional codec support

Multi-User Support

Multiple users can use AIMP on the same computer with separate settings and libraries. Each user’s preferences, playlists and statistics remain independent.

Hotkey Configuration

Local Hotkeys

Control AIMP when the application window is active.

Global Hotkeys

Control playback from anywhere in Windows even when AIMP is minimized:

• Play/Pause
• Next/Previous track
• Volume up/down
• Show/Hide window
• Customizable for any function

Our Hands-On Experience with AIMP

We tested AIMP extensively over two weeks using different audio setups and music collections. Here’s what we discovered:

Installation and Setup: The installer downloaded quickly at 21MB and installation took under 2 minutes. No bloatware, no toolbars and no unwanted extras – just clean installation. First launch showed an intuitive interface that felt familiar if you have used any audio player before.

Sound Quality Testing: We compared AIMP against other popular players including foobar2000, MusicBee and VLC using high-quality FLAC files and studio headphones. With WASAPI Exclusive mode enabled, AIMP delivered bit-perfect audio output that sounded noticeably clearer than players using Windows audio mixer. The 32-bit audio processing made high-resolution audio files sound exceptional.

Equalizer Configuration: The 20-band equalizer provided fine control over frequency response. We tested the preset for “Rock” music and it enhanced guitar clarity without muddying bass. Creating custom presets was straightforward – adjust bands, click Save Preset and name it. The +15dB preamplification helped with quiet recordings.

Format Compatibility: We threw every audio format at AIMP – from ancient MOD files to modern OPUS and high-resolution DSF files. Everything played without installing any codecs. Even obscure formats like TAK and OFR worked flawlessly. CUE sheets split our live concert recordings into individual tracks automatically.

Cloud Storage Testing: We connected our Google Drive account containing several gigabytes of music. AIMP indexed the cloud library quickly and streaming started within seconds. Playback was smooth even on moderate internet connection. The ability to access cloud music without downloading locally saved significant disk space.

Playlist Management: Creating smart playlists impressed us most. We set up a playlist showing “Rock songs rated 4 stars or higher, played less than 5 times, added in last 6 months” and AIMP generated it instantly. The playlist updated automatically as we rated songs and played them.

Audio Converter Performance: We converted a folder with 50 FLAC files to MP3 format. The multi-threaded encoding used all 8 CPU cores and completed conversion in about 3 minutes. The batch conversion saved hours compared to converting files individually. Output quality was excellent with no audible loss.

Tag Editing Efficiency: Our music collection had inconsistent tagging. Using AIMP’s batch tag editor, we standardized artist names across 500 files in minutes. The auto-fill from filename feature extracted artist and title information from filenames automatically. The ReplayGain calculation normalized volume across our entire library.

Radio Recording: We recorded a 2-hour internet radio show in FLAC format for archival. AIMP captured the stream perfectly and split it into individual tracks based on metadata. The recording quality was indistinguishable from the original stream.

Scheduler Usage: We set up the alarm clock feature to wake the computer at 7 AM and start playing a specific playlist. The computer woke from sleep mode automatically and music started at the configured volume. Much better than jarring alarm sounds.

Interface Customization: We tried different skins from DeviantArt. Installing skins was simple – download, double-click and select. The Charm UI skin looked modern and scaled perfectly on our 4K monitor at 150% scaling. We arranged panels to show album art prominently while keeping controls accessible.

Performance Observations: AIMP used minimal RAM (around 60MB) even with large playlists containing thousands of tracks. CPU usage stayed under 2% during playback. The software never crashed or froze during our entire testing period. Searching across 15,000 tracks returned results instantly.

AIMP vs Competition

Feature	AIMP	foobar2000	MusicBee
Price	100% Free	100% Free	Free (donations accepted)
Open Source	No	No	No
Interface Style	Modern, skinnable	Minimal, highly customizable	Feature-rich, easy to use
Learning Curve	Easy – Intuitive layout	Moderate – Requires setup	Easy – User-friendly
Equalizer	20-band + effects	Requires plugin	15-band built-in
Built-in Sound Effects	10 effects included	Requires plugins	DSP effects included
WASAPI Support	Yes – Built-in	Yes – Via plugin	Yes – Built-in
Audio Converter	Yes – Multi-threaded	Yes – Via component	Yes – Built-in
Internet Radio	Yes + recording	Yes – Basic	Yes + streaming services
Cloud Integration	6 services supported	No native support	No native support
CD Ripping	Yes	Yes	Yes
Tag Editor	Advanced batch editor	Excellent tagging tools	Auto-tagging from online
Playlist Types	Multiple + Smart playlists	Multiple playlists	Smart playlists + Auto DJ
Skins/Themes	Thousands available	Requires setup	Many available
Plugin Support	Yes + WinAmp plugins	Extensive components	Active plugin ecosystem
Scrobbling	Last.fm, Libre.fm, ListenBrainz	Via plugin	Last.fm built-in
File Size	~21MB	~6MB	~40MB
RAM Usage	Low (~60MB)	Very Low (~30MB)	Moderate (~100MB)
Best For	Users wanting modern UI with power features	Audiophiles needing customization	Users wanting all features in one package

Winner by Category:

• Overall Best – AIMP ranked #1 by Slant community for best audio player for Windows
• Most Customizable – foobar2000 wins with modular interface
• Most Features – MusicBee offers most out-of-box functionality
• Best Sound Quality – AIMP with built-in WASAPI Exclusive mode
• Lightest Weight – foobar2000 uses least resources

System Requirements

Operating Systems:

• Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, Server 2008/2012/2016/2019/2022, XP, 2003
• Both x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit) versions supported
• Linux via Wine compatibility layer
• Android version available separately

Hardware Requirements:

• RAM: 128MB minimum
• Disk Space: 300MB available
• Processor: Any modern CPU
• Display: Any resolution (optimized for 4K)

Tips for Getting Maximum Value from AIMP

1. Enable WASAPI Exclusive Mode

• Go to Settings > Playback > Output
• Select WASAPI Exclusive
• Choose your audio device
• Get bit-perfect audio output

2. Set Up Cloud Storage

• Go to Music Library > Cloud
• Click Add and choose service
• Sign in to your account
• Access music from anywhere

3. Create Smart Playlists

• Open Music Library
• Click Smart Playlist
• Set filters (genre, rating, play count)
• Playlist updates automatically

4. Optimize Tag Organization

• Select multiple files
• Open Tag Editor
• Use Auto-fill from filename
• Standardize tags across collection

5. Configure Global Hotkeys

• Go to Settings > Hotkeys
• Enable Global Hotkeys
• Assign keys for play, pause, volume
• Control music from any application

6. Calculate ReplayGain

• Select tracks in playlist
• Right-click > ReplayGain
• Choose scan mode (track or album)
• Normalize volume across library

7. Record Internet Radio

• Play desired radio station
• Click Record button
• Choose output format
• Recordings saved to specified folder

Who Should Use AIMP?

Perfect For:

• Music enthusiasts wanting high-quality playback
• Users with large music collections
• People who stream from cloud storage
• Audiophiles requiring WASAPI support
• Anyone converting between audio formats
• Radio listeners who want recording capability
• Users preferring free software
• People wanting customizable interface

Less Ideal For:

• Users wanting streaming service integration (Spotify, Apple Music)
• People needing video playback (AIMP is audio-only)
• Mac users seeking native macOS support
• Users preferring open source software exclusively

Frequently Asked Questions

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