Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Sooloos Play Queue

I read with interest about the 'play queue' facility on the iPad/Sonos thread.

Question is - does Sooloos have this feature?

Scenario - having friends round. I put up 5 tracks to get the evening rolling. I'd like to invite my friends - say by passing round the iPad - to pick a fave track and add it to the evening's playlist. Sooner or later, their track(s) come round.

I guess I'm thinking of using the Sooloos as a 21st century jukebox - individuals' fave tracks are selected and added to the back of a dynamic list. People could optionally bump their track up the list...

I specifically don't mean creating or preparing in advance an 'offline' playlist.

Zander

Read here(copy from the FAQ link below)

FAQ:
How do I play a track?
Touch an album, tap a song, and then you will be given a choice: Add to Playlist, Play Next, or Play Now"

I have no idea how you can make that simpler- even at a "party" you should able to hit the control screen... ;-))

More here-just read...
http://media.Meridian-audio.com/datasheets/Sooloos/Sooloos-FAQ.pdf


Robert

Robert,

Many thanks for the pointer(s).

Looks like 'play queue' is what I'm talking about and also there is a reference to 'settings' which allows you to control what people can/can't do with respect to 'play queues' when one is entertaining.

I've just had a look through Duncan's site and although I can see set-up manuals etc., I don't see a manual which explains the 'settings' options. Any one know if a Sooloos User Manual exists?

Zander

Come on, look on the links down on this page to M homepage and homepage of M-media.

robert

Robert,

I have already looked on the main M site and the M Media site but can't see a Sooloos 'User Manual' that explains the 'systems settings' or how play queues options work...

Set-up guides, brochures, data sheets, photos, product announcements, yes but anything that tells me about 'system settings', no.

I'm not trying to be stupid! ;-)

Zander

Ok, I didnt want to be unpolite,
is that what you are looking for?

how to connect
http://media.Meridian-audio.com/datasheets/Sooloos/Component-Quickstart-rev.pdf

good explainations
http://media.Meridian-audio.com/datasheets/Sooloos/Sooloos-primer-UKv2.pdf

more choices here
http://media.meridian-audio.com/
go to data(on the top) then choose Sooloos




Robert

Thanks Robert,

I don't mean for you to work so hard on my behalf

I've looked at both documents you kindly provided links for but they're mostly concerned with initial set-up, networking issues etc. There's nothing there that explains the 'systems settings' in software. And that''s what I'm looking for - to see how the 'play queue' can be managed/controlled.

I've also had a good look through the materials referenced on the M Media site but again, can't find anything resembling a 'User Manual' or an explanation of how to set-up 'play queues'.

I'm coming round to thinking that a 'paper' explanation does not exist. I guess that's because the system is so intuitive and subject to on-the-fly operational software changes, that they don't invest in making a User Manual available?

It doesn't help someone who is actively looking at features/functions with a view to buying...

But thanks very much for all your help.

Zander

The dealers and Sooloos user here should make a statement,
I only have a strong potential to buy one, but dont have one allready.
Maybe the best thing is to go and look for the Sooloos,
its really self explaining when you work with it-
but I understand now your point about a manual or similar item.

Robert

Robert,

Yes, you are right. I too am seriously interested in buying but I like to do as much private research/reading as I can - before I go to a dealer.

5 minutes with the system would surely answer my question. Just thought that someone might just 'know' the answer.

It has been nice chatting to you

Zander

Zander,

Yes, there is a playlist or queue which can be manipulated on the Control:10 or the iPad.

You can easily add tracks or whole albums to the queue - either append to the end of the queue, play directly after the current playing track, or immediately.

Furthermore, the queue can be generated randomly by Sooloos from selected genres, artists, or the like (by using the Focus and Swim features) on the Control:10. I don't think that this is possible on the fly from the iPad.

Queues can be saved as named playlists and loaded at a later time (so you could generate a number of party mixes or compliations in advance and load them at will).

Tracks in queues can be played in a random order. On the Control:10 you can re-order the items in a queue (if not playing randomly), but I don't think this is possible on the iPad.

Also, on the iPad, tapping a track in the queue starts it playing immediately - could make for a few DJing errors depending on how out of hand your parties are going to get...

I'd certainly recommend going to a dealer to have a play with a Control:10 for yourself - much easier than trying to read up on it (I agree that there's not much information available on the internet... I read as much as I could before purchasing but to be honest, 10 minutes at a dealer and I had a much better idea of what the system could do).

Regards,

Ian

Ian,

Many thanks for the full explanation.

I must say I'm only looking at iPad for control. If I buy a Control:10 it will principally be for Speakerlink to DSPs.

I think you're right - I've spent an interesting but ultimately futile few hours trying to find documentation on Sooloos system settings and play queues.

I have a phobia about spending any time at a dealer's. I simply can't bear the experience.

Looks like I'll have to swallow a chill pill and make sure the dealer has an iPad fronted Sooloos for me to have a play with.

One last thought, wouldn't it be helpful to have a comparison of functions available in Control:10 vs. iPad/iPod/Crestron. The tethered Control:10 is a complete no-no for me in terms of day-to-day operations.

Thanks again.

Zander

Zander
Have you used other server/wifi players before ? The feature you mention for party juke box is pretty much standard on all the main products I know of. I've used PDA, iPhone, laptop and SB remote all at the same time to allow people to create a live playlist. It is great fun to do if a little annoying if the wrong person gets hold of it