Hi Arlo,
In the advanced settings, there is an option to "save songs added from search". I think this function would be better implemented if there was a general "save" function when viewing and performing a setlist.
I imagine it would work something like this...
- When a user adds a song via the search, an indicator in the top toolbar appears to show that the set has been edited
- When exiting the set via the back button, the user is asked to save the changes, save the changes as a new set, or discard changes.
-If the user quits the app, changes would be discarded
-In the advanced settings, users can be offered the options to "always save songs added from search", "never save songs added from search" or "ask to save each time". This would allow users to preserve the way the search function works now if they wish.
On a slightly related note, I think it would be great if reordering songs in the set could be done like quick adding songs.
When live sharing, the lead device can quick add a song from search and then this song will appear on all the following devices without needing an internet connection to sync. This is a fantastic feature but it seems strange to limit it to just adding songs. I have asked previously if reordering songs in the set could also be done over live sharing without an internet connection in this thread: http://forum.arlomedia.com/index.php/topic,3624.msg15307.html#msg15307 In response, you said "
My assumption is that you don't want to mess with editing a set list during a performance. (Maybe during a set break.) Instead, you can simply select whatever song you want to play on the lead device, and that same song will be selected on the following devices." I personally think that reordering the set last minute is probably just as common as adding a song, maybe even more common. If reordering songs can be done over live sharing, that would alleviate a lot of friction by being able to share changes quickly and not having to go through the trouble of setting up a a hotspot, editing the set, syncing, have other devices sync, disconnecting from the hotspot, reconnecting to the live sharing wifi, etc...
Overall, these ideas would allow for bands to make a set, try it at a gig, make real time changes, and then save a new set accordingly. I think a lot of bands would benefit from this work flow.
QuoteIn the advanced settings, users can be offered the options to "always save songs added from search", "never save songs added from search" or "ask to save each time". This would allow users to preserve the way the search function works now if they wish.
Do you not know before the show if you're going to want to save your quick added songs or not? If you do know, you can get all three options by turning the existing setting on or off, and duplicating your set list ahead of time if you want to save as a new set list. If that doesn't address this, please describe the scenario where you would want to be prompted about your save preferences whenever you leave an updated set list.
QuoteI have asked previously if reordering songs in the set could also be done over live sharing without an internet connection
This is available now; see the second bullet point in this FAQ answer:
https://www.bandhelper.com/support/FAQ.html#change_set_list_while_performing
Quote from: arlo on October 10, 2025, 10:42:04 AMThis is available now; see the second bullet point in this FAQ answer:
https://www.bandhelper.com/support/FAQ.html#change_set_list_while_performing (https://www.bandhelper.com/support/FAQ.html#change_set_list_while_performing)
I did not know that! I must have missed those update notes. That's a great addition. But can those changes be saved as well? That makes me want to have the changes to saving I described even more.
There are scenarios where we don't know if we'd want to save changes or not, but admittedly, that's not too often. It would most likely be when we're piloting a new setlist when we'd know that we'd want to save quick added songs or song reorderings. Regardless, I think the current implementation is problematic because it's too easy to forget if that setting is on or off since it's buried in the advanced menu. This can lead to a lot of set lists being edited and/or not saved inadvertently. The way I described I think is a more familiar approach for most users. It would be like editing a document and asking to keep or discard changes. And overall, it's just more clear to the user. If they don't want to be asked to save every time, then they can toggle the options off and have it behave like it does now.
Quotecan those changes be saved as well?
Yes, when you use the Edit > Edit Set List button, those changes will be saved.
QuoteThe way I described I think is a more familiar approach for most users. It would be like editing a document and asking to keep or discard changes.
I think viewing a set list isn't similar to editing a document and doesn't have the same expectations about having to save something. Also, anything edited in the main window in the BandHelper app auto-saves without a "do you want to save" prompt, so that wouldn't be consistent with the rest of the app. Finally, a lot of people will simply close the app or turn off their device at the end of the gig and not navigate back out of the set list, so there would be no opportunity to answer the prompt. But I will put this on my wish list as an option.
Hopefully the ability to open the set list edit window from the set list view will address this.