esdctl

controls certain aspects of the sound daemon. esdctl [options] options: lock - only the "owner" of the daemon can play sounds. the first key (obtained from ˜/.esd-auth) submitted to the daemon identifies the owner. unlock - anyone can play sounds through the daemon. standby - frees the audio device for use by other programs. all sounds are ignored until the daemon is resumed. resume - brings daemon out of standby mode

more than one option may be listed on the command line