Let's Get This Party Started

OnSong Console is a web-based application that runs in a web browser. It is powered by OnSong running on an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. This section will cover running Console & what you need to know to get up & runnin'.

Get Your Stuff on the Same WiFi (Duh)

To get started, make sure both your iPad or iPhone are on the same network as your computer. This can be any name. OnSong does not set up its own WiFi network like other devices. Instead, just make sure that you are connected to the same network as your desktop or laptop computer where you plan to use Console. (Seriously, y'all. Same WiFi. Not rocket science.)

Flip the Console Switch (It's Magic)

To enable console, open OnSong on your iPad or iPhone & choose the Utilities menu in the menubar. On an iPad, this is located by tappin' on the gear icon in the upper-right corner. On an iPhone or iPod touch, this can be accessed when viewin' a song. The gear icon will appear in the upper right corner of the screen.

Next, tap on the Console option in the menu. This will open the Console screen with text that explains what Console is, along with the video tutorial. You will notice an "Enable Console" button in the lower center of the screen as well as a potential price in the upper right corner. Tap on the "Enable Console" button or the price to purchase Console. Console is $9.99 USD. (ZOMG, less than a fancy coffee!) Once purchased, the console will be enabled. If you've already purchased Console previously, simply make sure that the console is enabled by tappin' "Enable Console".

After a moment, a web address will appear under the enable/disable button. You will want to enter this web address into your web browser in order to load the Console web application. Remember to type in every part of this web address so your computer "calls" the right person... so to speak. (Copy-paste is your frenemy here.) If all is successful, you will get a splash screen containing an OnSong logo.

Don't Let the Randos In

You don't want just anyone peerin' in on your music library. OnSong maintains a list of who may connect to your device. You'll notice a message below the logo in Console that says "allow access to this browser on the host device to connect". At the same time, you will notice an alert appear within OnSong on your device. Agree to this prompt within 30 seconds to add the device to the whitelist of allowed devices for use with OnSong Connect. (It's like a VIP list, but for your iPad. Srsly.)

OnSong Console generates a random identifier to identify itself to OnSong. It then stores that identifier as a cookie in your web browser. That means as long as you don't use a different OnSong library, clear your cookies or use a different web browser or computer, you can continue to use that device indefinitely without needin' to approve the connection each time. (Cookies: NOM NOM, & also useful!)

If you choose to not accept the connection, OnSong will inform the web browser runnin' Console so that it stops tryin' to connect. This will render OnSong incapable of acceptin' new connections for 5 seconds. After this time, OnSong will listen for new incomin' requests to connect. (It's basically in timeout.)

When Things Get Weird (a.k.a. Troubleshootin')

While connectin' to Console should be easy, you may experience difficulty. This is because Console relies on your network setup & computer configuration, which may inadvertently be blockin' access to the service runnin' on the device. The followin' are things to check to resolve most of these issues:

Check your web address

Believe it or not, one of the most common issues is that the web address that was entered into the web browser is either not correct or incomplete. Be sure to type the full web address that appears in the Console screen in OnSong. The web address must start with "http://", contain four numbers separated by periods, & end with ":5076", which is the port. (Seriously, copy-paste. We're beggin' you.)

If Console was workin' & you've connected to another network, such as travelin' from work or church to your home, then you may need to check for an updated web address. This is because as your device connects to new networks, it is assigned a different IP address. OnSong 1.99 automatically switches the IP address as the networks change, but you will need to make sure you are usin' the most current web address as displayed in the console screen. (Your IP address is like a bad ex—it keeps changin' on you.)

If you bookmark the web address, it is likely to not work in the future. This is because your network may assign a new IP address to your device in the future. Some networks will attempt to reuse the same IP address for the same device, but may need to assign a new one if there is a conflict. (Bookmarks are lies. Scary legalese IP address lies.)

Check your network

Make sure that both your computer & iOS device are connected to the same local area network. OnSong requires a common WiFi connection to communicate between the devices. (Again. SAME WIFI. We can't stress this enough.)

More advanced network connections or public networks may have restrictions to prevent users from abusin' the service or to maintain the user's privacy. If you are at a public location & havin' trouble usin' OnSong Connect, you may want to try a different network to see if the problem persists. (Coffee shop WiFi? Yeah, that's gonna be a no from us.)

If you don't have a WiFi network available, you can also set up your iPad or iPhone to be a cellular hotspot if it has cellular capability. Remember that OnSong Console does not use the Internet, so you shouldn't receive any usage for enablein' Console while connected to a cellular hotspot. (Free data? ZOMG yes!)

Check your firewall

One of the most common issues in connectin' to Console is a computer firewall that denies access to resources in order to protect itself from possible security issues. If you are havin' trouble connectin' to Console for the first time, go into your computer's firewall settings & temporarily disable the firewall. You can then determine if that is the issue. If this enables Console to work, be sure to grant ports 5076 & 5077 access. (Your firewall's like an overprotective parent. Sometimes you gotta tell it to chill.)

Check your web browser

Console works on all modern web browsers that support the HTML5 standard & Canvas tag. You may have an older browser that won't work correctly with Console. If you are unsure, we recommend downloadin' & installin' Google Chrome. This browser is updated often & supports all the standards required to run OnSong Console. (Internet Explorer? LOL. No. Just no.)

Turn It Off & On Again (The Remix)

While there's no pressin' need to disable the Console, there are a few reason why you should. First, you probably don't want just anyone attemptín' to connect to your device. It would require them to be on the same local network as you & have the ability to guess or scan for your OnSong device, but it is possible. Turnin' the Console off will prevent them from connectin' to you. (Stranger danger, but for WiFi.)

While very small, OnSong Console does use a few extra resources while runnin'. On stage, a little extra battery life & performance can go a long way. That's just another reason to turn it off if you're not usin' it. (Every. Tiny. Bit. Counts.)

To disable Console, open the Console screen & tap on the button again to Disable Console. After a moment, the button will change back to Enable Console & the web address will be removed. (It's like a light switch. Revolutionary, we know.)