[selowitch]

Is there a command to alter OS X's Sound Preferences via the Terminal? I have done some of this through UI Scripting, but wonder if there's a more efficient way to do it.

[techtrucker]

I've only got one entry in my sound prefs plist, so I'm not sure of what options are availabe. Do a "defaults read com.apple.soundprefs" and see what you've got. You should have no problem changing any defaults from the command line.

[selowitch]

Originally Posted by techtrucker

I've only got one entry in my sound prefs plist, so I'm not sure of what options are availabe. Do a "defaults read com.apple.soundprefs" and see what you've got. You should have no problem changing any defaults from the command line.

Didn't work. Here's the three things I tried:

Code:
Last login: Sat Sep 16 15:00:16 on console
Welcome to Darwin!
Sam-Elowitchs-Computer-2:~ samelowitch$ defaults read com.apple.soundprefs
2006-09-16 18:13:12.303 defaults[285] 
Domain com.apple.soundprefs does not exist
Sam-Elowitchs-Computer-2:~ samelowitch$ defaults read com.apple.soundpref.plist
2006-09-16 18:13:49.773 defaults[288] 
Domain com.apple.soundpref.plist does not exist
Sam-Elowitchs-Computer-2:~ samelowitch$ defaults read com.apple.soundpref      
2006-09-16 18:14:13.293 defaults[289] 
Domain com.apple.soundpref does not exist

Turns out the file in question is actually located here: /Library/Preferences/ and is called "com.apple.soundpref.plist".

[techtrucker]

I goofed, it should have been com.apple.soundpref without the s on the end. But you did eventually try that I see, and for some reason didn't work for you. Very strange, here's what I get:

steven-woodwards-computer:~ steve$ defaults read com.apple.soundpref
{PlayFrontRowSounds = 1; }

BTW, it won't work if you include .plist on the file name...

Maybe the sound prefs file hasn't been created yet because you haven't changed any default settings? Not sure what else to think.

[SSharon]

I don't know a ton about dev. stuff, but can this be used to change the sound output device without a trip to the system prefs? I have tried using applescript, but without much luck.
My goal is to have an applescript application or two that changes between my sound card and my imic output.

Sorry to derail, but my question seemed similar enough.

[techtrucker]

This might be helpful:

AppleScript Audio Output Switcher - O'Reilly Mac DevCenter Blog

[SSharon]

Originally Posted by techtrucker

This might be helpful:

AppleScript Audio Output Switcher - O'Reilly Mac DevCenter Blog

It IS helpful. Thanks! That gives me enough to work with that I don't mind editing it and learning a bit more myself.