MyDMX Go - timing out after 10 minutes - by design

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M

MLB

New DJ
Jun 30, 2019
5
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Hi everyone...first post here. I just purchased the mydmx Go controller and downloaded the iPad app for it. I hooked it all up and was satisfied on using it last weekend during my gig. The app timed out and I didn't really have time to figure out why during the gig. I got by for the gig and here's what I've figured out so far:

When I have mydmx go running a light sequence and I pull up a different window on my iPad, I get a pop up message from mydmx go app that states " Audio and DMX in the background. Audio will be recorded and DMX will be sent for 10 minutes". So, it's apparently designed to disconnect after 10 minutes if left running in the background and not pulled up as the main screen on the iPad.

Performing a refresh from the main menu on the app does not restore connection, altho the controller shows "L1", which says he's connected. Without powering off the controller, I can close the mydmx Go app and reopen it and it will reconnect and restore the basic light sequence.

I don't really understand why there's a designed timeout, as I don't see any benefit to it. I don't find any reference to it in the users manual either.

I perform out every weekend in a duo and I also use the same iPad to bring up OnSong lyrics and setlists for the performance. Of course, I would want the mydmx Go app to continue to run in the background, continue running it's light sequence, and be able to quickly make a light change between songs.

Anyone know if there's a fix or work around for this...other than using another iPad dedicated to the mydmx Go app and keeping it displayed on my iPad during the entire gig performance (or memorizing all my lyrics and set lists ) ?

Thank you for your time.....very appreciated ! :)
 
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MLB said:
Hi everyone...first post here. I just purchased the mydmx Go controller and downloaded the iPad app for it. I hooked it all up and was satisfied on using it last weekend during my gig. The app timed out and I didn't really have time to figure out why during the gig. I got by for the gig and here's what I've figured out so far:

When I have mydmx go running a light sequence and I pull up a different window on my iPad, I get a pop up message from mydmx go app that states " Audio and DMX in the background. Audio will be recorded and DMX will be sent for 10 minutes". So, it's apparently designed to disconnect after 10 minutes if left running in the background and not pulled up as the main screen on the iPad.

Performing a refresh from the main menu on the app does not restore connection, altho the controller shows "L1", which says he's connected. Without powering off the controller, I can close the mydmx Go app and reopen it and it will reconnect and restore the basic light sequence.

I don't really understand why there's a designed timeout, as I don't see any benefit to it. I don't find any reference to it in the users manual either.

I perform out every weekend in a duo and I also use the same iPad to bring up OnSong lyrics and setlists for the performance. Of course, I would want the mydmx Go app to continue to run in the background, continue running it's light sequence, and be able to quickly make a light change between songs.

Anyone know if there's a fix or work around for this...other than using another iPad dedicated to the mydmx Go app and keeping it displayed on my iPad during the entire gig performance (or memorizing all my lyrics and set lists ) ?

Thank you for your time.....very appreciated ! :)
Click to expand...


I only run the app in the foreground .. any need for other iPad apps is done on a separate iPad.

You might want to post the question in the myDMX Go support forum on Facebook ... mydmx GO Official ADJ Support Group - (https://www.facebook.com/groups/mydmxGOofficial/)
 
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Hi Steve149....I'll pop on there and thank you. I did get the following response from Erik via email at ADJ: The way the app works is it can be left in the background or with the tablet device closed for about 10 minutes. On the iPad it will tell you the microphone will continue to stay on for 10 minutes but that is mostly due to the fact that the app allows up to that amount of time before it idles out. You may need to just go back into the app every couple minutes if that is possible for you to do since you are also using a different app on that device.

I responded with: I have since verified that I do indeed get a notice from the app, when I move it to the background on my iPad, that says it will timeout in 10 minutes. I’m a performing musician in a duo and need to be able to set a light sequence and let it run and then bring up my lyrics/set lists to begin a performance….on the same iPad. Obviously I cannot interrupt my performance just before 10 minutes is up to make sure the mydmx Go app stays connected. Make sense ? This is NOT a good design for performing musicians who set control of their lights for their performance.

I realize that I could use an additional iPad dedicated to the lights, but that defeats my purpose of replacing an Obey analog light controller. That just doesn’t make any sense at all.

Is there a workaround or a fix to override the 10 minute timeout ? If not, how can I go about making a request to change that and get a fix in the next release ? Or, can you get the software program change made and I’ll beta test it ?

Hopefully, ADJ can look at this request and it truly should be a simple fix to remove the timeout or increase the timeout time (like 4-5 hours). Even better would be to allow user control....but, I understand that might be more involved work and they could save that for a later release.
 
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rickryan.com said:
I had some hassles with my android on this but a quick google showed how to turn off the sleep mode on the tablet. In my case, it was not the app causing the problem. Something else, my unit will still go into sleep mode if you run it un-plugged.
Click to expand...

Hi rickryan.com...thank you for your thoughts. I had my iPad previously set to never sleep (whether plugged in or on battery power), so good thought, but I've got that one covered mate.:cheers:
 
djcrazychris said:
yeah i only run my app in the foreground as well.... i dont think id ever try to run multiples for something like this...its a bit delicate as is

cc
Click to expand...

Appreciate that djcrazychris. totally gotcha mate. Next gig, I'll use another iPad just for mydmx Go.....just seems that in todays day and age, we should absolutely be able to run multiple things AND I see NO reason to have the timeout....do you ? I think it was an oversight....light engineering people not thinkin it through for musicians ! :cheers: I know lighting is used for many applications, but lighting for musicians is a super KEY area and should have been very much up front in the design process. Thanx again for ur thoughts....super appreciated.
 
MLB said:
Appreciate that djcrazychris. totally gotcha mate. Next gig, I'll use another iPad just for mydmx Go.....just seems that in todays day and age, we should absolutely be able to run multiple things AND I see NO reason to have the timeout....do you ? I think it was an oversight....light engineering people not thinkin it through for musicians ! :cheers: I know lighting is used for many applications, but lighting for musicians is a super KEY area and should have been very much up front in the design process. Thanx again for ur thoughts....super appreciated.
Click to expand...

i fully agree.... infact we have submitted several ideas for improvements to them as well ... my big fear is that they are distancing themselves from the product a bit...they had a hard year with multiple bugs and at this point i get the impression it was more hassle than it was a positive addition to their roster.

cc
 
djcrazychris said:
i fully agree.... infact we have submitted several ideas for improvements to them as well ... my big fear is that they are distancing themselves from the product a bit...they had a hard year with multiple bugs and at this point i get the impression it was more hassle than it was a positive addition to their roster.

cc
Click to expand...

Hmmmm, I hope they're not distancing themselves as I really like it......super easy to set up, operate, and is a good addition for my music duo to have this light control. I can't for the life of me understand why they would have a 10 minute timeout...makes no sense at all.
 
MLB said:
Hmmmm, I hope they're not distancing themselves as I really like it......super easy to set up, operate, and is a good addition for my music duo to have this light control. I can't for the life of me understand why they would have a 10 minute timeout...makes no sense at all.
Click to expand...

i love it too...and ive honestly had zero issues...so im super happy with it!

the thing i would like is a way to create sets of chases....where it will go through multiple presets automatically

cc
 
Have you tried the LightRider app instead? Maybe it doesn't behave exactly the same way.
 
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BTW, just saw on a programming website (iOS Backgrounding with Tasks - Xamarin - (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/xamarin/ios/app-fundamentals/backgrounding/ios-backgrounding-techniques/ios-backgrounding-with-tasks)) that background tasks are limited to 600 seconds (10 min) on iOS when an app is moved to the background, so the limitation is most likely that of the iPad, not myDMX Go. I'm guessing it could be re-written to not be structured as it currently is (my guess is the auto programming is a single task), but not sure that's an easy task itself.

Not sure what the limitations of Android are.
 
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steve149 said:
BTW, just saw on a programming website (iOS Backgrounding with Tasks - Xamarin - (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/xamarin/ios/app-fundamentals/backgrounding/ios-backgrounding-techniques/ios-backgrounding-with-tasks)) that background tasks are limited to 600 seconds (10 min) on iOS when an app is moved to the background, so the limitation is most likely that of the iPad, not myDMX Go. I'm guessing it could be re-written to not be structured as it currently is (my guess is the auto programming is a single task), but not sure that's an easy task itself.

Not sure what the limitations of Android are.
Click to expand...

So if I understand, any program running in the background on an Ipad will time out after 10 minutes?
 
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prodjay said:
So if I understand, any program running in the background on an Ipad will time out after 10 minutes?
Click to expand...

Do I take it you guys are probably using the same ipad to play backing tracks while it's running myDMX Go in the background?
 
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prodjay said:
So if I understand, any program running in the background on an Ipad will time out after 10 minutes?
Click to expand...
No, as Apple conveniently added certain functions to allow their messaging, maps, etc. to function. I think the reasoning had to do with "sandboxing" (or isolating) apps from each other, so the foreground app gets the priority. Over time the restriction might go away with either Apple adding additional commands or Daslight (makers of LightRider/myDMX Go) restructure the code. As long as you don't try to multitask on the iPad, it isn't an issue.
 
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rickryan.com said:
Do I take it you guys are probably using the same ipad to play backing tracks while it's running myDMX Go in the background?
Click to expand...
I use my iPad 2018 to run myDMX Go and an older iPad Mini 2 for hot backup on music (since it has 128Gb).
 
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ittigger said:
I think he had an ipad. A 2nd unit will cost a little more than that. ;)
Click to expand...

Why does he need to buy another iPad? He just needs a 2nd unit, dedicated to running lights. Use an android, it's much cheaper and still works fine.
 
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