---
name: "axfer"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "alsa-utils"
version: "1.2.16-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/axfer"
---

# axfer(1)

command-line sound recorder and player for sound devices and nodes supported by Linux sound subsystem (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture, also known as ALSA).

## NAME

axfer - command-line sound recorder and player for sound devices and nodes supported by Linux sound subsystem (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture, also known as ALSA).

## SYNOPSYS

**axfer** *subcommand direction options*

subcommand = **transfer** \| **list** \| **version** \| **help**

direction = **capture** \| **playback**

options = ( depends on *subcommand* )

## DESCRIPTION

The **axfer** is a command-line recorder and player to transfer audio data frame between sound devices/nodes and files/stdin/stdout.

## OPTIONS

### Subcommand

- **transfer**

  Performs transmission of audio data frame. Its detail is described in **[axfer-transfer(1)](/axfer-transfer/1.md)** manual.

- **list**

  Dumps lists of available sound devices and nodes. Its detail is described in **[axfer-list(1)](/axfer-list/1.md)** manual.

- **version**

  Prints version of this application (as the same version as alsa-utils package).

- **help**

  Prints a short message about subcommands for users to enter this application.

### Direction

- **capture**

  Operates for capture transmission.

- **playback**

  Operates for playback transmission.

## EXIT STATUS

*EXIT\_SUCCESS* (0) if run time successfully finished, else *EXIT\_FAILURE* (1).

## UNIT TEST

This program has unit tests for internal implementation. Please refer to the manual of *axfer-transfer* for details.

## COMPATIBILITY TO APLAY

The *axfer* is designed to be compatible to [aplay(1)](/aplay/1.md) as much as possible. In command line, executions of aplay/arecord files under $PATH runs axfer with compatibility mode if filesystem has symbolic link from the aplay/arecord to axfer.

```
$ ln -s aplay axfer
$ ln -s arecord axfer
```

### A string to which arg\[0\] points

When args\[0\] in run time points to string ended with 'aplay', it has the same meaning of *playback* direction. When it points to string ended with 'arecord', it has the same meaning of *capture* direction.

### Options acknowledged as list subcommand

Options of *-l* , *--list-devices* , *-L* , *--list-pcms* are acknowledged as *list* subcommand. Without them, the run time performs *transfer* subcommand.

## REPORTING BUGS

Report any bugs to mailing list of ALSA community \<alsa-devel@alsa-project.org\> where the development and maintenance is primarily done. Bug tracking service of alsa-utils repository on github.com is also available.

## SEE ALSO

**[axfer-transfer(1)](/axfer-transfer/1.md),** **[axfer-list(1)](/axfer-list/1.md),** **[alsamixer(1)](/alsamixer/1.md),** **[amixer(1)](/amixer/1.md)**

## AUTHOR

Takashi Sakamoto \<o-takashi@sakamocchi.jp\>