What is Playback Remote?
Playback Remote is a new way to run Playback. Use accompanying iOS, iPadOS, or MacOS devices on a network to remotely control a host Playback device that's outputting the audio. Some key features of remote are:
Universal Control: Control playback across all your devices from the familiar interface of the playback app.
Real-time Sync: Changes made via Playback Remote are instantly reflected on your playback host device.
Shareability: Share playback control with multiple devices, control playback from anywhere on the network.
MIDI Everywhere: Each playback remote device supports its own MIDI Controller AND can output MIDI data. With remote you can make any midi controller wireless via Playback Remote.
Secure Connection: Permissions for remote connections are managed by people added to setlists, additionally org admins and campus admins can connect to any remote session.
What's required:
One Playback Premium Seat (For the host device)
(iOS and iPadOS remote devices do not required Playback Premium to access remote. A MacOS remote device would require additional Playback Premium)Playback version 8.1.0 or higher (Currently in Beta)
All devices connected to the same local network with internet access.
Having trouble? See: Playback Remote | Troubleshooting
Access to Playback and the setlist for any remote devices.
For more information see Setting up Remote Devices.
What can be Controlled? How does Remote work?
Playback remote will consist of a Host device (that will output audio) and Remote device(s) that can be used to remotely control the host Playback device. With this implementation of remote control, only Live aspects of the Playback app will be controllable by a host device.
Live functions that can be controlled via a remote device include:
Individual Track Faders, Bus Faders, and Master Fader.
Toggle Mute of Track Faders and Bus faders.
Transport controls including: Play/Pause, Fade in/out, Automation Snapping, Tap Tempo, etc.
Live crossfade and Live Reorder
Navigating the timeline and interface
Other functions including Live Loop, Infinite Loop, Mute MIDI, Pad Player controls, and more.
Other features available from a remote device include:
Changing the "General" settings from the remote device will change the corresponding settings on the host device.
MIDI Mapping and Keyboard Mapping will be available locally on the host device. (Learn more)
A remote device can route MIDI data out to directly and simultaneously with a host device. (Learn more)
Changing the Transition between song tiles.
What features can only be controlled from the host device:
Edit menus including general setlist and song editing, MIDI Cue editing, automation editing, and SMPTE editing are only accessible on the host device.
'Tracks' and 'Busses' routing menu tabs are currently only accessible from the host device.
Setup Requirements
Setting up host and remote devices
The host device will need:
To have an open setlist.
To be connected to a network with an internet connection.
To save the setlist to the cloud from the setlist menu.
To enable the remote session from the stack menu (Top right of Playback)
The Remote device(s) will need:
To be logged into Playback using a profile that has access to the setlist the host device has open. This means the user logging into Playback for remote control would either need:
To be the same user signed into the host device,
orTo be a user that has the following:
An active profile under the same MultiTracks.com organization as the host.
Access to login to Playback under the host MultiTracks.com organization
(a Playback Team Sharing license or Playback Rentals License would be required to sign into Playback Required)
Is either
An Admin on the MultiTracks.com organization,
orA Team Leader or Member that has been added to the currently-open setlist on the host device by an admin from MultiTracks.com.
To be on the same network as the Host device.
Utilizing Playback Remote Live
After meeting the above requirements, a host device can enable the session and remote devices can connect for remote control of Playback.
Establishing the Connection
Note: The host device must have a setlist open and saved to the cloud before enabling the remote session.
Enable the Remote session from the Host device (the device outputting audio).
NOTE: if using a network audio solution (Dante, Soundgrid, etc), before enabling remote, make sure you use the "Network" option below the remote settings to manually output the Remote information over the desired network.
Next, connect the host device by navigating to the "Remote" tab, and selecting the host device on the network, or inputting the IP address manually.
If no devices are listed after refreshing, manually input the IP address shown under the host device's Playback Remote settings.
With the devices connected, all remote devices can now control the host device. Remote devices will show an orange banner at the top of the Playback app, informing the user that they're running a remote control session to a host Playback device:
Troubleshooting Playback Remote Connections
Known limitations with Playback Remote:
Playback Remote is currently (at launch) focused on live control. Song Editing functionality is not currently supported and will come at a later date.
Editing the setlist on the host device with active remote devices connected may cause interruptions to the remote device connection. Ensure the setlist is always saved to the cloud and updated correctly on the host and remote devices before utilizing live.
Remote devices will not currently display the meters in Playback.