Xubuntu System Sounds - How To

[cottfcfan]

This has been a pain for all those how have jumped from Ubuntu to Xubuntu, so here is how I managed to get system sounds in Xubuntu 11.10.

1st install the necessary apps:

sudo apt-get install dconf-tools ubuntu-sounds sox xfconf

Now the easy bit Login Sound.
Go to settings-settings manager-session & startup-application autostart-add.
For the Ubuntu login sound on the COMMAND Line add:
play /usr/share/sounds/ubuntu/stereo/desktop-login.ogg
You can point the command toward any sound file you like (it may have to be a .ogg file though - not tested anything else)
Add to NAME & DESCRIPTION whatever you like and click OK.

Now system sounds:
Go to system/dconf Editor/org/gnome/desktop/sound.
Make sure the Event Sounds & feedback sounds boxes are ticked.
Then change the theme name to "ubuntu" (without the quotes)
All your gtk apps should now have the same system sounds that the main Ubuntu version has.
Now go to settings-settings Editor-xsettings-net & you will see SoundThemeName, change the value to "ubuntu" (without the quotes)
All your xfce apps should now have sound also.
Finally reboot.

[zamos]

Does that work for the sound notification in Thunderbird as well?
I'm currently in Ubuntu so I can't test it out, but will most likely give it a shot again later.
The lack of sound notifications was about the only (all be it minor) annoyance I had with Xubuntu.

[cottfcfan]

When I open up Thunderbird, there is a sound Notification for any new mail in the Inbox, a popping sound, which is default.
I tend to use gnome-gmail-notifier though, that plays a sound whenever new mail arrives.

[zamos]

Just tried out the sounds and they work great! Thanks!

As for Thunderbird, if I want my own WAV sounds, I just have to install the following (which also works with Ubuntu)

Libaudiofile0
Libesd0
esound-common

[cottfcfan]

Glad it works.
Ive also tried the "Dream" sounds from here:
http://xfce-look.org/content/show.ph...?content=75398
Just copy the folder to /usr/share/sounds & point dconf-editor & xfconf to "dream" instead of "ubuntu" & copy the button sounds across from ubuntu to dream.

[mvario]

Thanks, cottfcfan! Just the information I was looking for, and it worked for me!

[bartnortthwest]

I'm using 12.04. New clean install of Xubuntu from CD and have not had system sounds ever. Posted on absolute beginner and had replies about phonon. Followed your directions exactly and still no system sounds. When I browse with file manager to the .ogg files they play nicely. Any other ideas for me. The silence is defeaning, especially for a new user.

Thanks in advance.

[cottfcfan]

Hi Bart,
My above instructions worked for 11.10 but not 12.04.
I was informed a couple of days back that extra packages are needed.
Try:

sudo apt-get install sox gnome-session-canberra xfce4-mixer

Then reboot.
See if that works.
I can't test it at the moment as I only have ubuntu/kubuntu installed.

[bartnortthwest]

Hi again cottfcfan,

Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package xfcce4-mixer

I guess it's not available just yet. I'll try tonight.

Cheers,

Bart

[vasa1]

Hi again cottfcfan,

Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package xfcce4-mixer

I guess it's not available just yet. I'll try tonight.

Cheers,

Bart

Bart, maybe a typo at your end? Shouldn't it be xfce4-mixer and not xfcce4-mixer?