Delay When Playing Intros (iOS)

If you are experiencing a delay when playing your intros, please read through this page which explains what causes this delay, and some possible solutions to eliminate or minimize this delay. The delay you are experiencing might be 1 second, or up to 4-5 seconds. The most effective solution is generally involves ensuring the songs are downloaded to your device, and/or purchasing your songs from the iTunes Store, as playing songs that are downloaded through Apple Music requires some overhead that contributes to the delay. More on that at bottom of this page. But there are approaches which can help minimize or eliminate the delay associated with Apple Music.

  • 2-Tap Mode - With 2-Tap Mode turned on (or 2-Tap+ or 2-Tap++ Mode), BallparkDJ begins doing work as soon as you make the 1st Tap (tapping the player), pre-loading the music and doing all that can possibly be done….so that once you make the 2nd Tap on the PLAY button, the delay should be reduced substantially.

  • Download Apple Music (and Add to Library) - If you have not downloaded the songs you are using through Apple Music, then the song may be downloaded each time you play the player (introducing a delay). To ensure each song is downloaded to your device, find the song in the Music app, and tap on the … (dot-dot-dot) button to the right and Add to Library (if you haven’t already). Then tap on the … (dot-dot-dot) button again, and choose Download. Repeat for all songs. Click here for more information on Downloading Music.

  • Bluetooth Assurance (in Actions > System Settings) - Adds a 0.3 second delay, plus a variable delay caused by the resetting of the audio session. BA is often needed to fix an issue where the voice intros sometimes plays silently. BA defaults to ON.

  • Apple Music Assurance (in Actions > System Settings) -Adds a 0.3 second delay plus a variable delay caused by preloading music. AMA is sometimes needed to fix an issue where the Apple Music simply does not play at times. AMA defaults to ON.

  • Enhanced Volume Restore (in Actions > System Settings) - Adds a 0.3 second delay plus variable delay caused by loading that Apple Music song. EVR is sometimes needed to address a volume restoration issue on certain Bluetooth speakers when Apple Music subscription is involved. EVR defaults to OFF.

  • Apple Music Subscription and Music Plays First - When Apple Music is involved, and the player is setup so the music begins before the voice (or begins within 1 second of the voice beginning), a variable delay is introduced, that is generally about 1 second, in order to load the Apple Music song

Purchase Songs - iTunes Store - We are continuously exploring ways to decrease these delays. The clearest path currently to minimizing the delay is to purchase the songs through the iTunes Store instead of relying on the Apple Music subscription, in addition to turning off AMA and EVR. With the current cost of songs on iTunes of $1.29, this does incur and additional cost of around $15 for a team of 12.

Start Voice Before Music (Apple Music) - If you are using Apple Music, you can minimize the delay by starting the music at least 2 seconds after the start of the voice. This should completely eliminate the delay related to loading the Apple Music. Starting the music before the voice can contribute a delay of up to 2 seconds. But if you purchase the song (as mentioned above), then the delay will go away even if the music begins before voice.

Turn OFF BA, AMA, and EVR - You may also try going to Actions > System Settings, and turn OFF all the options of BA, AMA, and EVR. After doing so, please do extensive testing of your team through your Bluetooth speaker before operating BallparkDJ for your next game. If you experience any problems, you may turn back on one or more of those options based on the nature of your problem and the information below.

Wired Connection to Speaker - You may also wire a connection to your speaker, eliminating the need for Bluetooth, and therefore allowing you to turn off both BA and AMA. Here is a link to a 6 ft Aux Cable for iPhone (Lightning to 3.5mm) on Amazon. And here is a 6 ft Aux Cable for Android Phones.

Playback Diagnostics - If you continue to have problems with delay, click here to learn how to send Playback Diagnostics to Support for further evaluation.

You may also find some other solutions on this page.

Back to General Music Issues