On Air 2.2 VRS
FAQ
Here
is a list of frequently asked questions – and the answers to them:
Q:
Will there be a version for Mac OS X?
A: We
are currently trying to transfer On Air to Mac OS X. This does however
need a lot of time because large parts of On Air will have to be rewritten – that's
why we cannot not make any promises at all at the moment. On Air 2.2
does however run nicely in the Classic environment of Mac OS X.
Q:
Why can't I play MP3 files? I've got no sound!
A: On Air requires QuickTime 4.x in order to play MP3 files.
If you want to play back MP3 files, that use the VBR (variable bitrate)
technology, you must have at least QuickTime 4.1 installed. You can
download the latest version of QuickTime for free at the Apple homepage: www.apple.com.
Q:
Can I use On Air 2.2 in order to burn Audio CDs?
A: No, On Air is designed for live events and for real-time
working. You cannot burn Audio CDs with On Air.
Q:
Can I record music mixed with On Air 2.2 as an AIFF file?
A: No, at least On Air itself
does not support AIFF recording. There might however be solutions using
other AIFF recording applications that can record the audio output
stream from the Mac. On Air does feature a realtime sequencer that
allows you to record your mixes into tiny textfiles. When played back,
every slider and button in On Air will behave exactly as at recording
time («ghost playback»).
Q:
What is the channel split PFL good for?
A: The channel split PFL
allows you to have a pre-fade-listing function with only one Mac. You
assign one channel of the stereo signal as the PFL channel – and use a cable (available
in most electronics shops) to split the stereo signal. The PFL assigned
channel is then connected to a headphone, the other channel is connected
to the amplifier. The main disadvantage however is that this way you
can only use a monophonc signal for the outgoing signal and the PFL
signal in your headphones. For may occasions such as DJ performace,
a monophonic channel will do very well (in most cases, people on the
dancefloor will not hear stereophonic effects anyway!). If you want
to have stereo output and (stereophonic) PFL, you will have to stick
with the «virtual PFL» solution via network..
Q:
How come my AutoPlay list does not fade?
A: The AutoPlay list does not fade if you assign the same track twice (right
one after the other). Please remove one of the entries in the AutoPlay list
or drag another track inbetween.
Q:
I cannot open the «BPM Edit» window!
A: On Air 2.2 has a new shortcut in
order to open the «BPM Edit» window:
Keep the Shift key pressed down while you click into the BPM display of a player.
Q:
Some MP3 files cannot be opened. There is always an error dialog appearing.
A: Probably, your MP3 file uses the VBR technology. You will need QuickTime
4.1 or later in order to play it back (see above!). You could however, also
have an MP2 file. MP2 files cannot be played back using QuickTime at the moment.
Please stay tuned for newer versions of QuickTime. (As soon as QuickTime supports
MP2 files, you can play back MP2 in On Air, too!).
Q:
Some files don't show any ID3 information.
A: Is the «ID3 Readout» option
in the preferences active? If yes, there might still be some other
ID3 format (or maybe also a damaged ID3 information) in your file,
so that On Air cannot display it. On Air supports ID3v1, ID3v2 and
ID3v2.3.
Q:
How can I hook up my Mac to an amplifier?
A: Simply connect the headphone output of your Mac to the sound input jacks
of your amplifier (or egg. to the AUX input of your stereo equipment!). The
cables needed for that connection should be available in any electronics shop
or radio/tv store.
Q:
What is the fuss about that networking and why is it «officially
unsupported»?
A: Pro DJs always have
a headphone, in which they can check the position of the turntable,
the CD player or the DAT deck before they fade them into the outgoing
program (they call this function pre-fade-listening – PFL). Since the Mac has only
one soundchip, you can only generate one (stereo) audio stream – and
you need that one for the outgoing music program. So how can we connect
a headphone if we don't want to buy an additional sound card (or just
are not able to install it – just think of all the iMacs, iBooks
and PowerBooks in the world that are damned to have one single sound
chip!)? On Air tries a different approach: It uses a networking connection
to another copy of On Air that runs on a second Mac – and uses
the sound chip in the second Mac as sound chip for the headphones!
Of course, you have to have two Macs – but you might be able to
borrow one from a friend or might be able to use an older one you already
have. The one On Air copy on your main computer is then the so-called «Master»,
the copy on the second Mac is the so-called «Slave». Master
On Air can remote control Slave On Air – very easy, and you
hear anything you do via the remote control function in your headphones,
but not in the outgoing program! To cut the story short: You get something
like a «virtual pre-fade-listening» (vPFL) via an Ethernet
or even AirPort (yes, that's Apple's wireless netwoirking technology!).
Now, if everything is as good as it sounds – why do we call it «officially
unsupported»? The problem is that setting up a networking connection
(independently of On Air's functions) can sometimes be quite a challange – and
depends on lots of setting in lots of control panels. Besides, depending on
your networking connection, connecting two copies of On Air is not always very
easy. But still: If you get your networking connection done, the networking
functions of On Air do work! It's just that I cannot give advice to anyone
how to setup their network – but if you think you can manage that, it
might be worth checking out On Air's networking functions! But, at any rate,
the double licence and the commercial double licence are two licences in the
first place – and only offer access to the unsupported networking functions
aside. There is no warranty at all for these functions!
(Read more about this topic in the «Networking» chapter in On Air's
manual!)
