In the picture above, you can see a big arrow pointing at the Synology 413j NAS that I wrote about a while back. While I mainly bought it for backing up various computers and hard drives, it also has some cool features. One of my favorites is the DS Audio app.
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First you have to log into the Synology and download the Audio Station app. The information related to setting up the app is on Synology's website. One cool feature is that you can add individual radio stations right on the app. For example, I am a fan of Linn's Jazz channel and I simply copied the address to my "favorite" channels and I can now stream the channel right from the Audio Station.
My favorite feature of the Audio Station is that it works with the iPhone and iPad using the DS Audio app. With Airplay devices (like the Apple TV, Airport Express, and third party components with Airplay built in) it adds a feature that is not possible using the iTunes Remote app or even using a computer with iTunes built in. The feature is the ability to send a different audio stream to multiply Airplay devices at the same time.
Note: I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products in this post.
First you have to log into the Synology and download the Audio Station app. The information related to setting up the app is on Synology's website. One cool feature is that you can add individual radio stations right on the app. For example, I am a fan of Linn's Jazz channel and I simply copied the address to my "favorite" channels and I can now stream the channel right from the Audio Station.
My favorite feature of the Audio Station is that it works with the iPhone and iPad using the DS Audio app. With Airplay devices (like the Apple TV, Airport Express, and third party components with Airplay built in) it adds a feature that is not possible using the iTunes Remote app or even using a computer with iTunes built in. The feature is the ability to send a different audio stream to multiply Airplay devices at the same time.
As you can see from the pic above, there is a "Multiple Airplay Devices" choice in the list. Once it i chosen, you then pic any of your Airplay devices and send it a stream from any album/playlist in you collection. There may be some way to do this other than using Synology, but I am not aware of it.
Also, notice that the iPad (which is what I was using at the time) has an option to be the Airplay receiver. For my use, this works much quicker than using the "shared" option built into the iOS music app. I have a fairly large collection and iTunes has to load the library on my iOS device before it will play.
Once you have the DS Audio app loaded and you pick the place you want it to play, you have a few choices:
Also, notice that the iPad (which is what I was using at the time) has an option to be the Airplay receiver. For my use, this works much quicker than using the "shared" option built into the iOS music app. I have a fairly large collection and iTunes has to load the library on my iOS device before it will play.
Once you have the DS Audio app loaded and you pick the place you want it to play, you have a few choices:
As you can see from the photo above, you can choose to play your own collection by album, artist, composer, genre, or folder. I usually choose artist or album. For example, if you choose REM on my iPhone, you get a screen that will let you pull up an individual album or their songs:
If you choose albums, you get a list of albums in alphabetical order (like the photo below from my iPad) and you can play any of them:
Once you chose an album and start playing a song, you get a screen similar to the photo below. Notice that I also have lyrics setup to scroll while playing:
In the plc above from my iPad (the iPhone app is much more simple), notice that there is volume control built into the app. This allows you to control the volume of the Airplay device. Also notice the icon that looks like a play symbol inside a computer screen next to the square stop button. This button will allow you to switch to another Airplay device if you have more than one going at a time. A couple of buttons will take you back to the main library to add songs to the queue. You can then delete songs you don't want to hear and/or save it to a playlist.
I don't typically use playlists, but I set up the "test" playlist below to make sure it would work. Additionally, DS Audio sets up playlists for you:
I don't typically use playlists, but I set up the "test" playlist below to make sure it would work. Additionally, DS Audio sets up playlists for you:
Below is an eclectic mix included in the "Random100" Playlist:
Another cool feature is the ability to search. Below is a photo of the first page of results from my iPhone 4S after a search for Frank Sinatra:
In addition to playing your own music, you can also play "Shoutcast", RadIO, "User Defined" and "My Favorite" radio stations. You can setup your own channels in "My Favorite" or add stations from Shoutcast or RadIO, which come with a lot of stations already setup.
Below are a couple pics showing the first pages of the Shoutcast and RadIO setups:
Below are a couple pics showing the first pages of the Shoutcast and RadIO setups:
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While it is great being able to play music from this app at home, the Synology also allows you to set it up to play music from this app from anywhere. I can be at work and play music to my iPhone or even start playing music in my living room from thousands of miles a way (not that I would want to).
I should mention that there are more features, like playing directly from the USB output of the NAS, that I didn't cover. However, as you can see, this app can be very useful to owners of iOS devices (I don't have an Android device, so I can't comment on how it works with those devices) and it gets used several times a week in my home or at work. All in all, I am very happy with it.
I should mention that there are more features, like playing directly from the USB output of the NAS, that I didn't cover. However, as you can see, this app can be very useful to owners of iOS devices (I don't have an Android device, so I can't comment on how it works with those devices) and it gets used several times a week in my home or at work. All in all, I am very happy with it.
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