What app is everyone using for music?

[jEt_jAk]

Literally just discovered there is an Amazon HD upgrade for higher quality music that is supposedly the highest quality for all music streaming. Trying it out.

 

[CraigAR]

I usually keep my note 9 BT volume 3/4 and use the boats volume knob.

 

[2kwik4u]

@BigAbe75 to answer your question....maybe......depends on how the volume mapping is handled in software. In hardware terms, you are mapping the voltage output of the physical device to a virtual scale on the screen.

Say there are 10 clicks on your device from 0 volume to 11 volume (because yes we go to 11, and it makes for 10 increments to make the math easier). Let's also say that the physical jack needs an output of 0 to 5 volts. The software "maps" each click of the button to some percentage of physical response. In this case 1 click of the button increases the output voltage 0.5 volts. This is a linear mapping and it could very well be non-linear mapping. That is a decision the software developer made.

So......depending on how the software is handled, that could be a global response map, or it could be a local response map. Global would be that each app behaves the same, however if local, then the developers decided to let each app decide it's own response, and you get the response you're experiencing.....i.e. one click in Pandora results in more volume increase than one click in iTunes.

The secondary question will require an audio equipment guy to answer properly. For me, over Bluetooth........I leave my volume on the phone set to max, and then let whatever device I'm piping my music to (home, truck, boat, helmet, etc) control the volume locally there.

The rare example is when the target device isn't easily accessible. I have a stereo in the garage that is ALWAYS on and located in the back of a top shelf. I connect via Bluetooth to it when working in the garage. I can't easily or quickly reach the volume control, so I use the phone to control the volume in that case. Leaving the stereo set at about 75% or so and modulating output with my phone volume control.

Another example I want to try is a waterproof Android watch, to control my phone in the boat. I might control both the playlist and volume from my wrist at that point. Hoping to test that this summer.

 

[Wayloncle]

Summer on the Sandbar

Playlist · redthumper9 · 245 items · 448 likes

open.spotify.com

this playlist on Spotify is really good, Ultimate Sandbar, pretty sure I saw it mentioned on here on some thread, someone on here created it.

edit: now I see @redthumper9 name on it, good job?

 

[anmut]

RE volume - on our iphones once they're connected the volume is controlled by the boat only *unless* I'm in the Connext App.

 

[2kwik4u]

Summer on the Sandbar

Playlist · redthumper9 · 245 items · 448 likes

open.spotify.com

this playlist on Spotify is really good, Ultimate Sandbar, pretty sure I saw it mentioned on here on some thread, someone on here created it.

edit: now I see @redthumper9 name on it, good job?

This sharing playlist feature is amazing.

I put this list together last night. Has almost 9hrs of music in it already.

Boat Life

Playlist · Mike · 427 items · 15 likes

open.spotify.com

I'm also really impressed how QUICKLY the playlist downloaded. I'm guessing the app already had all the songs cached or something. It downloaded all 9hrs in about 5 minutes. I've got a stable internet connection, but it's not that fast.

 

[redthumper9]

Summer on the Sandbar

Playlist · redthumper9 · 245 items · 448 likes

open.spotify.com

this playlist on Spotify is really good, Ultimate Sandbar, pretty sure I saw it mentioned on here on some thread, someone on here created it.

edit: now I see @redthumper9 name on it, good job?

Thanks! It's constantly changing and is created to be listened straight through..... Not shuffled. Everything on there is relatively clean. You'll notice the hip hop gets a little more "hardcore" as the day goes on, but everything on there is the "clean versions". I love loud music (see my stereo system) but nothing is more ignorant than someone blasting vulgar, inappropriate music when there are kids or even other adults around they don't know.

 

[2kwik4u]

Thanks! It's constantly changing and is created to be listened straight through..... Not shuffled. Everything on there is relatively clean. You'll notice the hip hop gets a little more "hardcore" as the day goes on, but everything on there is the "clean versions". I love loud music (see my stereo system) but nothing is more ignorant than someone blasting vulgar, inappropriate music when there are kids or even other adults around they don't know.

100% agree on this front. I've tried to screen my music as well, but some slip through from time to time. It's also why mine is a little country heavy. I am NOT a country fan, but it's easy to find good up-tempo music that is clean in language and content that is family friendly.

Sidenote.....heard Country called "Farm Emo" the other day and can't quit giggling about it. Wife thinks I've lost my mind, and my country fan neighbors think I'm a jerk......it's still funny

How do you reorder a playlist? Mine is currently in the order it was added. Can I just drag and drop to change the order?

 

[redthumper9]

100% agree on this front. I've tried to screen my music as well, but some slip through from time to time. It's also why mine is a little country heavy. I am NOT a country fan, but it's easy to find good up-tempo music that is clean in language and content that is family friendly.

Sidenote.....heard Country called "Farm Emo" the other day and can't quit giggling about it. Wife thinks I've lost my mind, and my country fan neighbors think I'm a jerk......it's still funny

How do you reorder a playlist? Mine is currently in the order it was added. Can I just drag and drop to change the order?

Bring up your playlist and hit the menu button on the top right. It will allow you to "edit playlist". Once you are in that, long press far right of each song and drag. This is on Android (Google pixel). If you cant do it that way, you can easily edit on your computer.

 

[redthumper9]

If anyone wants a laid back chill playlist feel free to try this.

Time Well Wasted

Time Well Wasted · Playlist · 155 songs · 37 likes

open.spotify.com

 

[BigAbe75]

@BigAbe75 to answer your question....maybe......depends on how the volume mapping is handled in software. In hardware terms, you are mapping the voltage output of the physical device to a virtual scale on the screen.

Say there are 10 clicks on your device from 0 volume to 11 volume (because yes we go to 11, and it makes for 10 increments to make the math easier). Let's also say that the physical jack needs an output of 0 to 5 volts. The software "maps" each click of the button to some percentage of physical response. In this case 1 click of the button increases the output voltage 0.5 volts. This is a linear mapping and it could very well be non-linear mapping. That is a decision the software developer made.

So......depending on how the software is handled, that could be a global response map, or it could be a local response map. Global would be that each app behaves the same, however if local, then the developers decided to let each app decide it's own response, and you get the response you're experiencing.....i.e. one click in Pandora results in more volume increase than one click in iTunes.

The secondary question will require an audio equipment guy to answer properly. For me, over Bluetooth........I leave my volume on the phone set to max, and then let whatever device I'm piping my music to (home, truck, boat, helmet, etc) control the volume locally there.

The rare example is when the target device isn't easily accessible. I have a stereo in the garage that is ALWAYS on and located in the back of a top shelf. I connect via Bluetooth to it when working in the garage. I can't easily or quickly reach the volume control, so I use the phone to control the volume in that case. Leaving the stereo set at about 75% or so and modulating output with my phone volume control.

Another example I want to try is a waterproof Android watch, to control my phone in the boat. I might control both the playlist and volume from my wrist at that point. Hoping to test that this summer.

Hmm, thanks for the explanation. That makes sense, though not quite sure what my system is doing. I need to play more. I was hoping to try using one of those volume control speed based apps. Automatically goes louder as you go faster.

I installed an app called Volumatic over the winter on a recommendation from someone here.

 

[2kwik4u]

Hmm, thanks for the explanation. That makes sense, though not quite sure what my system is doing. I need to play more. I was hoping to try using one of those volume control speed based apps. Automatically goes louder as you go faster.

I installed an app called Volumatic over the winter on a recommendation from someone here.

I think you can still do that, but without knowing how the software guys programmed your phone, it'll just be a "guess and check" testing setup to find the right way to make it work.

I've loved the speed based volume in my GM vehicles for years. It makes even better sense on the boat.

 

[Hoyt]

Spotify for me as well. Worth all 999 pennies a month. No ads. Constant music. Download unlimited. Full albums. New releases. On and on goodness

 

[Wright2e]

I use Apple Music and YouTube. Have subscriptions and will also download for areas with no service.

 

[Wayloncle]

Thanks! It's constantly changing and is created to be listened straight through..... Not shuffled. Everything on there is relatively clean. You'll notice the hip hop gets a little more "hardcore" as the day goes on, but everything on there is the "clean versions". I love loud music (see my stereo system) but nothing is more ignorant than someone blasting vulgar, inappropriate music when there are kids or even other adults around they don't know.

I just looked at your profile, you have some great playlists! In my opinion anyway. I mostly listen to country because it normally has the most likeable songs for me, no matter if it’s radio or some playlist. Your throwback list is the music i always look for in a “rock” station....so I’m now following that one as well?

 

[Chevyguy2021]

We rarely use bluetooth. Always plug in an iphone and stream away. It charges the phone and keeps the sound quality high.
And then we can control the music in and out of the water with our apple watches. Works great

 

[redthumper9]

I just looked at your profile, you have some great playlists! In my opinion anyway. I mostly listen to country because it normally has the most likeable songs for me, no matter if it’s radio or some playlist. Your throwback list is the music i always look for in a “rock” station....so I’m now following that one as well?

Yes..... I listen to the "throwback" and "acoustic" a lot. Stay away from the one labeled "Poker Run" when there are kids around...... It starts out tame and the music is all over the place, but it's pretty vulgar in spots. I literally DJ with that playlist while we do poker runs.

 

[yamaken]

I've been on the fence about buying a service. Use Google Music for a free trial about this time last year. Went to finally plunk down the cash and order a years worth of Google Music......only to find they're phasing it out for YouTube Music......ggrrrrrr.

There's a really good chance I'm gonna go with Spotify.

Damn you Google!

I used Google Play Music and was transferred to YouTube Music. No complaints.

I honestly think that one of the secrets to life is to create playlists and weed them as you would your garden... add songs as you discover them. Life is too short to listen to anything other than your favorite music!

Most any of the major music services will suffice for that. YT music provides MY Supermix which, for me, is fairly accurate (meaning I like most of the songs). I can create a playlist from that.

Sorry if this is a bit off-topic. ?

 

[biffdotorg]

All of these are great when someone makes a request, but I got very sick of being the DJ, when I could be enjoying the day. And I didn't like some of the crap the kids would play when I gave them control.

So for the past decade or so, we pay the 6 month subscription to XM and let 'er buck. And since I put in the Fusion Head unit, we pick out 5-6 stations and create XM mix stations. We have three right now. Kids mix, Adults mix and combo mix. So all day long, it shuffles those chosen stations so that everyone gets a bit of what they like.

The 6 month sub is like $30, and when I cancel every fall, they credit me back a pro-rated refund! I pay less than $30/year. Not to mention, I can run the fusion from the NMEA remote on the swimdeck with full display of tracks. Or run the fusion app on the phone to control everything, or switch to the apps you guys are talking about above.

Honestly, it's worth the $30 to not have to worry about playlists. I ask one time, what do you guys enjoy, and then just blame XM from then on. With the mix stations as well, it caches the next station in line. If we don't like the track, we can bump it to the next station in line. Perfect.

 

[WaTeRMaNiaC407]

If anyone wants a laid back chill playlist feel free to try this.

Time Well Wasted

Time Well Wasted · Playlist · 155 songs · 37 likes

open.spotify.com

Thanks for sharing!