If you are using KDE there is an option somewhere (gui based desktop config thingy) that says how long it will hold onto the audio system after using it, setting this to 1 second instead of the bizarre default should allow non KDE apps access to the audio hardware.
After a quick google you should be looking to "reduce the artsd timeout in kcontrol".
After a quick google you should be looking to "reduce the artsd timeout in kcontrol".