Summary
In 8.5.4, Playback's MIDI system has been fully migrated to MIDIKit for improved stability and compatibility. We also fixed numerous bugs and improved performance throughout the app.
New Features
Accompaniment Tracks Now Include Click & Guide for Free — Accompaniment Track products now receive Click & Guide at no extra cost, consistent with how Cloud Multi tracks are handled.
MIDI Output via MIDIKit — Playback has fully migrated its MIDI engine to MIDIKit, replacing the legacy MIKMIDI library. This includes updated MIDI clock, MIDI out, and control mapping routing, as well as support for setting Playback up as a virtual MIDI source.
Improvements to Existing Features
The download menu is now more prominent, making it easier to find and access content downloads. Service time and type detail menus are now network aware, improving the experience when switching between online and offline states.
Improved error messaging throughout the app for clearer, simpler communication when something goes wrong.
Improved the Waveform Activity Indicator for a smoother visual experience.
Removed the Acknowledgements button from settings.
Popover menus have been visually improved for a cleaner, more consistent look.
Bug Fixes
Audio & Playback
Fixed an issue where the "5 Second Fade" wiped song section edits.
Fixed an issue where the original track was not muted after download and played simultaneously with stems.
Fixed an issue where Playback crashed intermittently when loading a setlist with multiple songs.
Fixed crashes related to audio properties access.
Fixed a crash with iRig Blueboard.
Fixed a crash on macOS Tahoe.
Fixed a crash in Playback 8.5.2.
Downloads & Library
Fixed an issue where a song in progress of downloading was incorrectly shown in the Downloaded song list.
Fixed an issue where a song was downloaded as a rental after returning online when the user had selected 'Preview' while offline.
Fixed an issue where duplicate "All Tracks" entries appeared in Downloaded > Songs for MTC songs.
Fixed an issue where non-expired genres for MTC songs did not display in the ESM & Downloaded menu when a single genre was expired.
Fixed an issue where an incorrect description displayed in the Downloaded menu for New Releases songs without available tracks.
Fixed erroneous reports of missing click data for Pad Song Waveform content.
Offline Behavior
Fixed issues with the "Add a Song" menu when the device is offline, including a non-functional Cancel button.
Fixed an inconsistency with the "Add" button for C&G MT Complete songs vs. C&G MT songs when offline.
Fixed an issue where a Downloaded MTC song became non-functional after transferring a rental from another device.
Fixed an issue where the "Delete Setlist From Account" button remained disabled after returning online from offline setlist creation.
Setlists & Sync
Fixed an issue where Playback Remote connection failed when the API was unreachable.
UI & Localization
Fixed distorted "Select Resources" menu UI for FR, ES, and PT languages.
Fixed invalid {Downloaded} placeholder text appearing under the Search bar on the Library page.
Fixed an issue where users on Mac could not map song titles for songs added from the Downloaded menu.
Fixed a Korean-specific error and missing song issue.
Fixed missing localization text for the "Load the Cloud Click & Guide" prompt with Ambient Pad.