Play Sound for Mac

Name: Play Sound
Rating: 4.8 (12 reviews)
Author: Microcosm Software

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Play Sound Analysis

AI Assisted Content · June 11, 2026

Not written by CNET Staff.

Play Sound is a free multimedia application designed for macOS, allowing users to easily play audio files in various formats. The application supports a range of audio file types, making it versatile for different multimedia needs. Users can quickly load audio files and play them back with minimal effort, making it an efficient tool for anyone needing a straightforward audio player.

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The interface of Play Sound is user-friendly, providing intuitive controls for playback. Users can pause, stop, and navigate through tracks seamlessly. Additionally, the app offers options to adjust volume settings and playback speed, enhancing the listening experience. This makes it suitable for casual users as well as professionals who require a reliable audio playback solution.

Play Sound for Mac

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: October 27, 2007

Latest update: June 11, 2026

Version: 1.6.7

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Mac

Operating System

Mac OS X
Mac OS X 10.3
Mac OS X 10.4
Mac OS X 10.3.9
Mac OS X 10.2
Mac OS X 10.5

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 1,455

Downloads Last Week: 0

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User Reviews

4.8/5

12 User Votes

Small, fast, scriptable utility for playing sound files
greyfrobOctober 27, 2009
Pros
It's as simple as can be, quick to load, takes minimal memory space, and handles several different file formats.
Cons
Nothing to speak of.
Summary
thank YOU!
subjectivetruthxJuly 29, 2007
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. I cannot imagine using my mac without this. The throttle hold itunes puts on sounds is horrid. When I switched to OsX in 2002 the loss of just playing a sound via the finder was a huge problem for me. Ever since Play Sound came out I've been a happy user. Just a note to those who don't know it, hit command-. to stop a sound if you need to. I've never had a problem with this player. Thanks again.
Amazingly simple. Much needed.
dvsjrJuly 15, 2007
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. I can't imagine this wasnt high on the list of anyone who used any Mac OS prior to X. Apple of course wants any sound file channeled through iTunes (and hence the iTunes store) this has brought some mch needed simple and fun functionality back to the Mac. Heres a fun tip: make a funny sound sippit (use quicktime or soundapp) then assign it to Play Sound, and drop it in a friends startup items in their account pref pane. Laughter ensues!
Amazingly simple. Much needed.
dvsjrJuly 15, 2007
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. I can't imagine this wasnt high on the list of anyone who used any Mac OS prior to X. Apple of course wants any sound file channeled through iTunes (and hence the iTunes store) this has brought some mch needed simple and fun functionality back to the Mac. Heres a fun tip: make a funny sound sippit (use quicktime or soundapp) then assign it to Play Sound, and drop it in a friends startup items in their account pref pane. Laughter ensues!
Thank you, again
Andreas..March 7, 2006
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. I keep downloading updates; I keep relying on Play Sound in several of my scripts; never the slightest problem. The least I can do is add YA post here to say thanks yet again.
Tip Top
Mr TeaSeptember 28, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. I stopped using this particular utility a while back when 'SystemSound Extension' provided a simpler and more reliable way to do what I needed (I seem to remember some sort of clash between the copies of 'Play Sound' I was using for OS9 and OSX, but time and my failing memory have rendered the details vague). In the meantime, it's been persistently upgraded and consistently praised here to the point where I felt compelled to take another look. Nice work, Microcosm! The new version works flawlessly and has some very useful tricks in its AppleScript dictionary now. The only thing that's preventing me from making it my default sound player is the dismal prospect of having to rewrite several dozen scripts that include sound cues. I still remember the heartache of finding and changing all the scripts that namechecked the original 'Play Sound' and changing them to use 'SystemSound Extension' instead. Going back the other way is not a decision to be taken lightly, but the current incarnation of Play Sound makes it look increasingly worthwhile.
Brilliant.
what the?September 25, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. Hi, have used Play Sound with a folder alert script when pdf files are generated, this is great. Hats off to David at Microcosm, and when there is a problem it is fixed.... nice work.
THANK YOU
tamnoonSeptember 24, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I've missed being able to hear my sounds immediately upon double clicking.
I like it except for...
SkeeveJuly 25, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. I like it except for it's nasty "feature" of keeping my files open, making it impossible to unmount the hard disk where the files are located. Nevertheless: 4/5 (Tip: use sloth to find and terminate Play Sound)
The Sound of silence...
Andreas..July 5, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. Well over 5,000 d/loads from this site alone and not many say "thank you". Well I do... I have several little AppleScripts which wouldn't be the same without Play Sound. Thank you yet again, Microcosm Ã¢?? very much. Andreas

Developer’s Description

By Microcosm Software

Simple, scriptable audio player.

Play Sound is a simple, no-fuss sound player for Mac OS X. It supports QuickTime sound files (for example, AIFF or MP3 files), Classic Mac OS System 7 sound files (files with a file type of 'sfil' that contain 'snd ' resources), or any 'snd ' resources embedded into any file. You can play an unlimited number of sounds concurrently or one at a time. You can loop sounds, repeat sounds, play specified portions of sounds, control the volume of sounds played, pause and continue sound play, and press the Escape or Command-Period keys to abort sound play.

To use Play Sound as a simple sound file player, simply drag and drop the sound file(s) onto the Play Sound icon in the Mac OS Finder. Better yet, you can configure the Mac OS X Finder to automatically open sound files with Play Sound whenever you double-click them (see Using Play Sound As a Sound Player in the documentation for easy instructions showing how to do this).

Play Sound is fully scriptable, allowing AppleScript writers to use simple, easy-to-understand English syntax to play most QuickTime-supported sound files, Classic Mac OS System 7 sound files, and even 'snd ' resources that are embedded directly in script applets. To script Play Sound, you call it from any AppleScript script or application.

Play Sound for Mac

Play Sound Analysis

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Play Sound for Mac

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User Reviews

Small, fast, scriptable utility for playing sound files

thank YOU!

Amazingly simple. Much needed.

Amazingly simple. Much needed.

Thank you, again

Tip Top

Brilliant.

THANK YOU

I like it except for...

The Sound of silence...

Developer’s Description