How does BallparkDJ work with Bluetooth (Apple Music)?
In summary, if you are experiencing any issues with the combination of using Apple Music over a Bluetooth speaker with the Fade-Out option on, the best solutions are to either wire a connection to the speaker, purchase the songs through the iTunes Store, or use the Music Finish option as an alternative to Fade-Out, or try a different speaker.
BallparkDJ works seamlessly on most Bluetooth devices, and exhibits some issues with a select few Bluetooth devices when Apple Music is used with the Fade-Out option turned on. Some of the issues vary from device to device. You’ll need to simply do some testing on your device before operating at the ballpark to ensure you know what to expect. If you are having issues, it seems the most solid solution is to simply connect your device to the speaker via a wired connection instead of using Bluetooth. In version BallparkDJ 4.7.1 and beyond, there is now a Fade Out Music toggle option in the Edit Player window that allows you to turn off the Fade Out effect. In BallparkDJ 11 we implemented a Music Finish Sound Effect option which is a great alternative to fade-out. Another approach that will probably fix is to purchase the song(s) you are using through the iTunes Store.
The following are issues that have been observed or reported…
FIXED: After the music fades out, you hear a very brief volume surge (the volume turns back up on very end of song). THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN FIXED. If you’re experiencing the issue, please check the App Store and make sure you’re on the latest release of BallparkDJ. If you are on latest and still experiencing problem, contact support@ballparkdj.com
RESOLVED. Bluetooth was periodically disconnecting while operating BallparkDJ for one user. The audio output would just suddenly go from the Bluetooth speaker back to the phone. This user reported that this seemed to occur only when the Music app (on iOS) was open in the background. When the user would make sure to close down the Music app when using BallparkDJ, he experienced no more Bluetooth disconnects.
As the music is fading out, you hear repeated loud beeps (or doesn’t reset fade properly or restore to proper volume after fading). It appears some Bluetooth speakers make a beeping sound as BallparkDJ is internally adjusting the volume of the device to fade the song down. The best solution we’ve found to this so far is again to wire a connection to your speaker. In BallparkDJ 11 we implemented a Music Finish Sound Effect option which is a great alternative to fade-out. Another solution via Bluetooth is to play more of the song than you’ll ever use, and just manually turn down the volume on the speaker to zero prior to pushing Stop button in BallparkDJ. There is also a new option for each player to turn the Fade-out off completely. This is not ideal as the fade-out is preferred, but that does also work around the beeping issues. The ECOXGEAR EcoBoulder+ is one such speaker that this problem was reported on.