2. Usage
Internal Memory
This library represents your local music files, grouped by Albums, Artists, Songs, Folders, Genres and Playlists. It contains all audio files that were indexed by the Android OS in the external memory of your device.
Select any library entry to play it or to add the entry to your current playback queue.
To filter library entries, select the search icon in the top-right corner of the library view and enter the name of the Artist, Album, Song, … you are looking for.
Network Devices (DLNA Browser)
This network browser lists all UPnP/DLNA capable media libraries in your WiFi network.
Select a media library and browse its content. All compatible audio and video files can be added to your playback queue.
If you like to select music that is located on your speaker devices, install an UPnP media library application (like BubbleUPnP or AirWire) on your speaker devices.
Internet Radio Stations
Activate the ‘Online Radio’ mode, to stream internet radio stations to your speakers.
SoundSeeder contains more than 25.000 Radio Stations, that were provided by “dirble”.
The stations are listed by favorites, countries and genres. Use the search field in the action bar to filter the items in the list.
DLNA Renderer Mode (DRM) new
The DLNA Renderer Mode is used to control SoundSeeder remotely via DLNA Controller apps.
DLNA is a standard technique for sharing digital media among multimedia devices. Is is supported by many apps, audio devices and media servers.
While the DLNA Renderer Mode is active, SoundSeeder can be controlled by any DLNA Controller app in your WiFi network.
Here are some suggestions for compatible DLNA application:
BubbleUPnP
Feature-rich and reliable DLNA application for Android.
AirAudio
Streams all audio from any app on Android via DLNA (free trial, root required) – See “Stream Android System Sound“
Stream What You Hear (SWYH)
Streams the audio output of a Windows PC via DLNA (free) – See “How to stream Windows PC Sound via SoundSeeder“
You can also check this Wikipedia article for further DLNA capable applications.
To access DLNA Media Servers with SoundSeeder, check the DLNA Browser feature.
Disclaimer: These applications were neither developed nor published by us. We are not liable for the quality and legality of these applications or any consequences arising from their use.
Spotify® Connect Support new
SoundSeeder now also supports the streaming of Spotify® music to your speakers. This feature was implemented in cooperation with “HiFy” and makes use of the “Spotify® Connect” interface.
Prerequisites to connect Spotify and SoundSeeder:
– Spotify® Premium account
– ‘HiFy’ app installed and running (Download the free trial version here)
How to connect:
1. Activate SoundSeeder DLNA Renderer Mode
2. If HiFy and Spotify are installed on your device, you can start both of them directly from SoundSeeder by selecting “SoundSeeder DLNA Connection”. You can also run the HiFy app manually. This app is the bridge (adapter) between SoundSeeder and Spotify.
3. Now open Spotify® on a device in your network. SoundSeeder is now available as “Spotify® Connect” device. Select it and start playing your Spotify® music via soundseeder.
Disclaimer: HiFy was neither developed nor published by us. We are not liable for its quality and legality or any consequences arising from its use. HiFy is not endorsed, certified or otherwise approved in any way by Spotify®.
Stream Android System Sound new
SoundSeeder is now also compatible with the application “AirMusic”.
AirMusic is able to capture the sound of Android application and to stream it via DLNA.
Activate the DLNA Renderer Mode of SoundSeeder and connect AirMusic to SoundSeeder to stream your music to your speakers.
You can download AirMusic on Google Play. (free trial version) For more information check the description of AirMusic.
Microphone / AUX Mode
Select this mode to stream the microphone input or external usb audio sources via soundseeder.
By default soundseeder takes the input of the internal microphone and streams it to your connected speakers.
Note: To avoid audio feedbacks, turn off the speaker of your SoundSeeder Player device, while using the microphone.
USB-Audio support
SoundSeeder also supports the Android host mode for audio on compatible Android devices*.
If your device supports USB-Audio accessory, you can use soundseeder to stream external audio sources via the line-in (AUX) port of a connected USB soundcard.
*USB host mode needs to be supported by your hardware. USB-Audio is officially supported since Android 5.0 and proprietary supported by some vendors since Android 4.1. We have successfully tested soundseeder with soundcards based on the “C-Media” audio chipset.
Especially users of Nexus devices should see the article Record and play back audio using USB host mode for more information.
Syncing the speaker playback
If the playback of Player and Speaker is not in sync when you run soundseeder for the first time, you can adjust the offset of your playback in steps of 10 milliseconds.
In Speaker Mode press the +/- Button in the bottom-left corner to adjust the offset.
The best way is, to start with offsets of -100ms and +100ms, to check in which direction you need to adjust your playback. Then adjust the playback in steps of 10 milliseconds, until its completely in sync.
Once the offset is adjusted, it will be saved for further connections.
Speaker Management
Click the speakers button in the top actionbar to manage your connected speakers:
The dialog shows all discovered SoundSeeder Speakers in your network.
If your speaker is not listed, please check if your player and speaker are connected to the same Wi-Fi. If your Wi-Fi or your devices don’t support the auto-discovery of speakers, press the “Add Speaker” button to manually add a Speaker by entering its IP address. The IP address of your speaker is shown in it’s Settings dialog. (See Settings)
After your devices have been discovered, you can manage the playback parameter for each speaker.
Select a speaker entry, to dis-/connect it or to change it’s settings.
- Channels: Choose this speakers playback mode: Stereo / Left / Right / Mono
- Offset: Change the speakers playback offset, if the playback of this speaker is not perfectly synced with your player.
You can adjust the offset in steps of 10 milliseconds (between -400ms and +400ms)
How to use/create Playlists?
You can save your current audio queue as .pls playlist. The playlist will be saved in the external storage of your device under /music/SoundSeeder/playlistname.pls
To view, open or delete your playlists go to the local media library and scroll to the leftmost tab. (See Music Library)
Settings
General Settings
IP Address: The IP Address of your Wi-Fi connection. If the automatic discovery of Player and Speaker doesn’t work in your network, use this IP Address to connect your device manually.
Device name: This is the name of your SoundSeeder device. Use an unique name to distinguish your devices.
Audio mode: Specify the playback mode of your SoundSeeder device. Choose between mono, stereo, left, right
Stay awake: Select this option to disable the automatic standby of your Android device while SoundSeeder is running. On some devices the Wi-Fi performance is reduced in standby mode, which might interrupt the playback of SoundSeeder.
Auto pause: Activate this setting to pause the playback automatically, when no more speakers are connected.
Buffer Size: If the connection of your devices is unstable or not in sync, try to change the buffer size on player- and speaker side. A larger buffer reduces the probability of interruptions but requires more resources and might impair the synchronicity.
Google Music support: Deactivate this setting to disable the Google Music plugin and to hide the Google Music menu items. (See Google Music)
Maximum UPnP Download Rate: By default, the maximum download rate from UPnP media servers is limited to 2048kbit/s. The limited is set to increase the priority of the audio stream that is sent to your speakers. Changing this value might affect your speakers connection and playback quality while streaming media via UPnP.
Speaker Settings
Auto connect: If this setting is activated, the speaker will automatically be connected to your player, when it is started and gets discovered.
Auto re-sync strategy: Specify the automatic re-sync intensity for this speaker. The available options are off, low, medium, high and extrem and specify how fast (and often) soundseeder re-syncs the speakers playback automatically.
Start as speaker on boot: Activate this setting to autostart the SoundSeeder Music Player in Speaker Mode on device boot.
Offset to current Player: Use this setting to adjust your speakers audio offset to the player it is currently connected to. The offset can also be adjusted on player side by pressing the +/- button in your speaker view. (See Speaker Mode)
LastFM support
SoundSeeder supports scrobbling to LastFM via the following open source applications:
Simple Last.fm Scrobbler
For more information visit the project website on github.
WAIL – Last.fm Scrobbler
For more information visit the project website on github.
Please install one of these Applications to scrobble your music with SoundSeeder.
Stream Windows PC Sound via SoundSeeder
SoundSeeder is able to stream the sound of a Windows PCs via dlna. This feature allows you to stream music played from Spotify, Youtube or any other third party application to your SoundSeeder Speakers.
- Download and install the free application “Stream What You Hear” by Sebastien Warin on your Windows PC. It streams your system sound as mp3 stream via HTTP/DLNA: http://www.streamwhatyouhear.com/download
- Start “Stream what you hear” on your PC. Right-click on the tray icon and change the settings to:
MP3, 44100Hz, 16bit Stereo and 320kbit/s - Now connect the PC and your Android device running SoundSeeder to the same (WiFi) network
- Start SoundSeeder and open the dlna network browser (“Add Track – Network”)
- You should now see the “Stream What You Hear” app listed as device. Select it and start the “MP3” audio stream.
SoundSeeder will now play your Windows PC sound.
Please note: The playback via SoundSeeder will be delayed by about 5s. The PC sound can be muted without disturbing the audio stream.