Soundflow not connecting from iPad even though on same server
Hello guys,
I work alot on the road (mostly in public schools recording bands, orchestras, choirs, etc..) and I can rarely ever use Soundflow from my iPad when using their wifi connection. Both my iPad and laptop are connected to the same wifi at these places, but my Soundflow screen (Select a server) on my iPad won't show my MacBook Air as being on the same server, therefore I can't connect to it to use.
This is really frustrating as I'd love to use SF while on the road, but this seems to be the case for most of these schools I travel too. I'm assuming it's a firewall issue or something? Is there anyway around this?
Thanks,
Tim
Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2024-03-26 15:16:29.815ZHi Tim,
In this case it would be because the network administrator knowingly or unknowingly has disabled the ability for the devices to see each other.
We hope in a future SoundFlow update to allow users to configure IP settings more manually, but unfortunately, this would require you to have more in-depth technical knowledge.
A more portable solution today is to use a Stream Deck which will connect directly to your laptop - this would make you independent on any network configurations you're not in control of.
- TTim Miller @Tim_Miller
Thanks Christian. I figured it was something like that. I do have a Stream Deck, but my surface I use the most has faders for mixing and lots of buttons. Appreciate the response and would love the ability to get these to see each other in the future.
Thanks!
Tim
- TTim Miller @Tim_Miller
I've installed the "online/offline" script. Would that be a solution here? I've used my hotspot from my phone to login to SF on my laptop and iPad, so they are talking to each other. How does the script work? Once logged in, I've tried just turning off wifi on my laptop and iPad, but as soon as I do, my iPad goes back to the find server screen instead of just staying on my surface.
How do I properly use this script?
Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2024-03-27 14:22:58.540ZHi Tim,
I'm not sure what you hoped the Online/Offline script to do - and I'm not sure which exact script you're referring to, but if my guess is correct you're running a script that's designed to turn off Wifi.
Since your iPad and computer connects to each other via the network, turning off the network is a bad idea as it then obviously prohibits them from communicating.
It would be helpful if you can explain in more detail
a) what you're hoping to achieve
b) how you're trying to achieve thatPlease note that SoundFlow requires an active internet operation to function normally.
- TTim Miller @Tim_Miller
I was referring to this article which explains that you can use SF in "offline" mode once they are connected.
https://soundflow.org/docs/licensing/offline
I went to the Store and downloaded the "online/offline" script.
a) I want to be able to use my surface and macros without an internet connection. There really wasn't much explanation how this script works after it is downloaded.
b) downloaded the script, turned off my wifi, then my iPad went back to the server screen and disconnectedI'd like more information on how this script works. How to I turn SF to go into "offline" mode?
- Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2024-03-27 16:29:02.437Z
Hi Tim,
I think there might be a bit of confusion here.
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It is true that SoundFlow can in some cases operate in read-only offline mode if your computer is disconnected from the internet. This is not a fool proof solution and we can't give support on how to set this up. Generally, SoundFlow needs an active internet connection to operate, so you're on your own to set up the network correctly for this to work and do your own testing.
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The "online/offline" script can take specific network interfaces online or offline. It is not a 1:1 solution for making SoundFlow go into read-only offline mode. These are 2 unrelated concepts. As mentioned above, making your network be disconnected from the internet is your own configurational responsibility - we can't give support on how to set up your network.
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The specific situation you're in here is that you want to be offline but still want your computer connected to your iPad. For this reason, you cannot use a script like "online/offline" because it takes your computer entirely off all network - which of course breaks the connection to your iPad. Instead, you would need to cut off your network's access to the outside world (internet), yet still have your iPad connected to your computer via the network (LAN still active).
As I said, this is not a standard supported configuration - you may be able to get it to work, but we can't give any guarantees on its stability or reliability, and you would be on your own to make sure your network facilitates the needed connections.
- TTim Miller @Tim_Miller
My apologizes as it does seem I'm confused about how this operates.
Based on this below, how does this "offline" mode work?
Read-only offline mode
The read-only mode works as follows. You need to be online to log in, so for example in the morning, you go online for a few minutes to connect to SoundFlow. Then you can go offline and stay offline, and SoundFlow will work in offline read-only mode. In this mode, you can use all your macros, decks and surfaces, but you can't make any changes to your shortcuts.
(this is EXACTLY what I want to do.)This mode typically works for most of our freelance users.
You don't need to do any custom setup of SoundFlow for this to work - this mode is included in your subscription. (ok so what exactly should I do to go 'OFFLINE'? Just disconnect my wifi?)
We do however recommend you to thoroughly test if this works on your particular networking setup.
Again... my apologizes if I'm not fully understanding this part from the article.
Thanks for all your responses!
- Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2024-03-27 17:20:29.144Z
Hi Tim,
SoundFlow's Mac app and iPad app connects together over Wifi, so if you disconnect that, they can't communicate.
You would need both your Mac and your iPad to still be connected to your Wifi router, but that router should then be disconnected from the internet.
The instructions are easier if you don't need to use an iPad, as then you could just take the computer itself offline.
If you need more help with this, you should probably consult a networking expert.
Please note that if you're connecting through a wifi router that you're not in control of, it would not be possible to keep your computer and iPad connected while at the same time going offline, as that's a network configuration that requires you to be able to understand and have physical access to the wifi router.
As I mentioned, we don't have the resources to help people set up networks, so if you need more assistance with it, I'd highly recommend reaching out to a network administrator at the place you're working.
As I also mentioned, the read-only offline mode is not something we generally recommend users to use, unless they have fully tested this themselves and are comfortable understanding complex network setups.It's important to be aware that SoundFlow generally needs an active internet connection.
- TTim Miller @Tim_Miller
Thank you Christian. I am trying to solve the problem of being at places where I don't have any control over the network really. So unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a current way of using SF at these schools because they have everything locked down and preventing SF from talking my laptop over their network. (I understand why they do this being a school with students and such...)
The only real solution is using my phone as a hotspot, but I'm not sure how much data this requires.
Thank you again for your help!
Tim
- Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2024-03-27 19:21:32.480Z
Using your phone sounds absolutely like the best solution as you'll have full control. Data usage should be minimal since SF would cache anything big :)
I routinely do this when I travel around the world on sometimes even expensive data plans and have never had an issue :)
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