Apps by Arlomedia

I am planning to phase out the database sync function in Set List Maker and replace it with a simple database export/import function. Here are some FAQs about this change:

Why are you phasing out the database sync function?

Removing existing functionality is always a difficult decision. But for almost four years now, BandHelper (http://www.bandhelper.com) has offered a superior syncing system: it makes more reliable backups from the moment you start an account, it syncs attached documents and recordings along with your database data, it supports different permissions for different users in your account and it includes a more intuitive way to enter personal vs. shared data. If you want to share data with bandmates automatically, you will have a better experience if you switch to BandHelper. Meanwhile, Set List Maker's older sync system is one of the most difficult functions to maintain and support, so phasing it out will leave me more time to spend on other improvements in both products. Replacing it with a simple export/import function will make it more comparable to other apps in its price range, and will make a clearer differentiation between my products, with Set List Maker focused more on individual use and BandHelper focused more on exchanging information with bandmates.

When are you phasing out the database sync function?

After December 15, 2017, you will no longer be able to purchase the Database Sync upgrade, and after January 15, 2018, you will no longer be able to use this function.

If I switch to BandHelper, will I lose all the data I've entered into Set List Maker?

After creating a BandHelper account, you can go to the Account > Import page to find instructions for importing your Set List Maker databases. If you have more than one Set List Maker database, you can create a project (http://www.bandhelper.com/tutorials/projects.html) in your BandHelper account for each of them, then import each Set List Maker database into a different BandHelper project.

If I switch to BandHelper, will I lose all the money I've spent on Set List Maker?

If you have recently purchased Set List Maker, you can request refunds from the Apple or Amazon app stores, or ask me for a refund from the Google store.

If you have been using Set List Maker for a while, but you migrate your Set List Maker databases to a new BandHelper Basic account by September 30, I'll make your account free for the first two years (http://www.bandhelper.com/main/promotions.html) (or one year if you choose to upgrade to a Pro account). If you migrate by December 31, I'll make your account free for the first year (or six months if you choose to upgrade to a Pro account). After that, the normal BandHelper pricing (http://www.bandhelper.com/main/pricing.html) will apply.

If I don't switch to BandHelper, will there be any way to share data between devices?

The new versions of Set List Maker released today include database export and import functions that you can use to send databases from one device to another. Unlike the database sync function, the export/import functions aren't automatic, can't merge changes made on different devices between syncs, and don't offer the ability to roll back individual edits. On the positive side, you will be able to store these files wherever you want as backups. This approach to sharing databases is comparable to how most other repertoire management apps work.

To start using the new export/import functions instead of the database sync function, go to Settings > Database Sync, clear the sync name and password fields and turn off Auto-Sync. To delete the sync name, either click the small X button or select all and cut, rather than deleting one character at a time, which the app will interpret as trying to change the sync name. Then leave that page to save your settings. You might notice that the sync name field now shows a default sync name, but this is only a suggestion for setting up database syncing again. You can ignore that auto-generated sync name.

After removing the sync settings, click the sync icon in the top toolbar, and you'll see a popup menu with three buttons:

• Export Database: Saves your database file to the selected cloud storage (iOS) or local file location (iOS 11 and Android).
• Email Database: Emails your database file to the address you enter.
• Import Database: Selects a database file from the selected cloud storage (iOS) or local file location (iOS 11 and Android). On iOS, you can also send the database into Set List Maker using the Open In function from another app, like the Mail app. When you use this function, your current database will be completely overwritten by the file you select.

If I have an iPad 1, how can I use the new database export/import functions?

Since I can no longer release updates for the iPad 1, there will be no way to share data with an iPad 1 after the sync function stops working on January 15, 2018. You can continue using Set List Maker as a standalone app, but I recommend replacing this seven year old hardware with the new 9.7" iPad (https://www.apple.com/ipad-9.7/), which offers excellent performance and full compatibility with current apps for $329.

What happens to local data such as MIDI when someone receives a database file?  Can users still keep their local data intact?

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What happens to local data such as MIDI when someone receives a database file?  Can users still keep their local data intact?

Importing a database file replaces all your data with the data in the file.

Hi Arlo,

I think this change makes a lot of sense. Pay-once business models always make me a bit uneasy when it comes to applications that I truly depend on. Subscriptions create better incentives in terms of sustainability and ongoing development.

I have two questions on migrating from SLM:

1. My band has two members who use their own documents in addition to the shared lyrics and chord charts. Is there any way to get these all imported into BandHelper in one shot without having to redo the work of assigning them to songs?

2. How do I redeem the offer for two years free after I migrate the database?

Thanks,
Jon

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1. My band has two members who use their own documents in addition to the shared lyrics and chord charts. Is there any way to get these all imported into BandHelper in one shot without having to redo the work of assigning them to songs?

It will take a few steps to replicate that setup, but BandHelper has batch import and batch editing features to help. Please submit a help ticket and I can walk you through it: https://helpdesk.arlomedia.com/arlomedia/add.html

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2. How do I redeem the offer for two years free after I migrate the database?

Basically just email me your account name. More details are here: http://www.bandhelper.com/main/promotions.html

Not entirely happy about this as its a major feature for me but understand the move.  For my use, Set List Maker has all the tools I need but I am in multiple bands and sync databases between my own devices and with other bandmates.

That being said, my question is about the BandHelpers Basic Accounts pricing options.  The second level 2-5 Band Members.  What does that actually mean? 

In Set List Maker I sync a specific database with certain individuals.  One database is synced with 3 people, two other db's with a single person.  All of my db's are synced on two other devices of my own.   

So where does this put me for the account I need?

Do the other people have to purchase accounts also or do they fall under my account?

Does BandHelper have the "Follow Remote Control Events from..." feature?

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That being said, my question is about the BandHelpers Basic Accounts pricing options.  The second level 2-5 Band Members.  What does that actually mean? 

That means up to five people can access your account. Each person can have any number of devices.

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In Set List Maker I sync a specific database with certain individuals.  One database is synced with 3 people, two other db's with a single person.  All of my db's are synced on two other devices of my own.   
Do the other people have to purchase accounts also or do they fall under my account?

They don't have to purchase their own accounts. You would just add them as users in your account. Instructions are here:

http://www.bandhelper.com/tutorials/managing_users.html

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Does BandHelper have the "Follow Remote Control Events from..." feature?

Yes, all the performance features are the same. It's the user access, data management and syncing features that are improved in BandHelper Basic (plus the additional modules in BandHelper Pro).

Quote from: arlo on July 21, 2017, 01:12:23 PM
They don't have to purchase their own accounts. You would just add them as users in your account.

I should have been more clear.  I meant via an iOS device not in a web browser.  Will my other bandmates have to purchase an account or just me?  Same scenario as you mentioned?

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I should have been more clear.  I meant via an iOS device not in a web browser.

I'm not sure what the question is here. You can only add users to your account from the website, but then those users can access your account from the website or the apps.

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Will my other bandmates have to purchase an account or just me?

Just you.

Four of us bought Set List maker and then paid extra for the database sync feature.  So, to be clear, now I would create a single account, and then they would download bandhelper for free and just login to my account?  Or do we all create accounts?

Quote from: gdavey377 on July 21, 2017, 02:45:13 PM
Four of us bought Set List maker and then paid extra for the database sync feature.  So, to be clear, now I would create a single account, and then they would download bandhelper for free and just login to my account?  Or do we all create accounts?

You would just create one account, add your bandmates as users to your account, and give them the usernames and passwords to log into your account.

Arlo, i made sure my setlist maker was the latest version, and i went into settings, turned off auto sync and tried to delete the title and password. It came up with an error saying i had to have permission from the moderator to do this. What am i missing?

A correction. It said that i had to contact the developer to get an authorization code.

Quote from: lonetech on July 23, 2017, 10:42:27 AM
Arlo, i made sure my setlist maker was the latest version, and i went into settings, turned off auto sync and tried to delete the title and password. It came up with an error saying i had to have permission from the moderator to do this. What am i missing?

If you delete one character at a time from the sync name, the app will think you're trying to change the sync name and ask for a code. Instead, either click the little X button in the field, or select the entire sync name and press Delete, to delete it all at once. That should work.

Thanks, Arlo, that worked.

Hi Arlo, I read all the feeds on this page but still have a question: is it then still necessary to purchase the in-app feature for database sync when using the export function? When I try to follow your description settings-> database sync-> delete name -> disable auto syc the app says that I need to purchase the sync add on.
Best regards
Jürgen

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Hi Arlo, I read all the feeds on this page but still have a question: is it then still necessary to purchase the in-app feature for database sync when using the export function?

No, you don't need to purchase the database sync upgrade to use the new export/import function. If you have not purchased it, you can ignore the Settings > Database Sync page and just click the export/import button in the top toolbar to access those functions.

Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

Arlo,

I just setup a 30 day trial account for BandHelper to explore migrating as I really like the sync function.
Is there a way to import the .db file exported from set list maker into my bandhelper account or do I have to manually add all songs and playlists from every database from scratch?
The export/import arrangement works fine on iOS devices, but sucks on the Android devices, as there is no way to export directly from set list maker to Dropbox.
Is this something you can add as a feature?

Thanks,

Chet Marino

Please disregard my last post, I figured out how to do it.

Thinking about making the switch. I have a couple questions:
- if we try out band helper but then eventually decide to go back to set list maker, will it be possible to export a database from band helper and import back into set list maker?
- is it possible to have more than one database defined in a single band helper account? Is there a limit to how many?

Thanks!
-John

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- if we try out band helper but then eventually decide to go back to set list maker, will it be possible to export a database from band helper and import back into set list maker?

No. If you're not sure you want to switch, you would have to maintain your data in both products while you're evaluating BandHelper, then either abandon one or the other when you decide.

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- is it possible to have more than one database defined in a single band helper account? Is there a limit to how many?

Yes, you can import multiple Set List Maker databases into separate projects in a single BandHelper account, and no, there's no limit to how many:

http://www.bandhelper.com/tutorials/projects.html

Hi Arlo,

In contrary to jjoelson I do not like the subscription model that much and I do not see all the benefits jjoelson describes for the "consumer". I am still using apps that work just fine for which development has stopped for years, or I did not saw the need to upgrade for extra money because the app was already good enough for me as it is.. And with web based apps if a dev stops..most of the time the service stops right away..

But hey, it is the new way of doing things in this ever changing world and I do understand the benefits from a developer side. The functionality of Set List Maker for me was just perfect as it was, so for me this change is a step backwards.
But as this is the best app around and I am very glad that at least someone like Arlo is putting out great software like this for the musician I'm going to make the plunge to Bandhelper, just to support the further development :)

Regards..

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I am still using apps that work just fine for which development has stopped for years, or I did not saw the need to upgrade for extra money because the app was already good enough for me as it is.

I'm glad you're planning to switch to BandHelper, but to be clear, the only thing changing in Set List Maker is the server-based sync functionality. Some reasons why BandHelper, which has more server-based functionality, uses a subscription are in the last question of this FAQ:

http://www.bandhelper.com/support/FAQ.html

Quote from: arlo on August 16, 2017, 05:34:05 PM
No. If you're not sure you want to switch, you would have to maintain your data in both products while you're evaluating BandHelper, then either abandon one or the other when you decide.

Yes, you can import multiple Set List Maker databases into separate projects in a single BandHelper account, and no, there's no limit to how many:

http://www.bandhelper.com/tutorials/projects.html

Hey Arlo,
First thanks for your work on these apps that so many of us run our shows on now...me for many years.

As many on here are making the plunge to BH, I am as well. You deserve the recurring revenue without a doubt.

So here are a few of my current discoveries.
I have multiple Databases (DBs) in SLM.
I have imported 2 different DBs into 2 different Projects as you recommended above, but had problems. Lots of Documents and Recording references came over with the few songs in my second DB. (I say references as you still have to do separate bulk imports to get the actual PDF documents and Recording MP3s.)

These Doc and Recording references were duplicates from my original import and now I have a problem right.

I put in a support ticket and got this response today from Brandon Wright:

" ....The Set List Maker to BandHelper data import process was designed to be a one-time procedure. The expectation was that once you imported your data into BandHelper, you would make any further changes in BandHelper rather than in Set List Maker.

The document and recording areas in Set List Maker are shared between databases, so they must be included in this export process (even if your database includes only three songs) or the import will be incomplete. This is why your new export produced those duplicates.

At this point I think you have a couple of options. You can clean up the duplicates you've imported (which should be easier in the browser interface, for what it's worth), or we can clear your entire BandHelper account and you can re-import your entire Set List Maker database again. But that import process is intended to be a one-time thing...so any additional changes you make to your Set List Maker database after performing the export and import into BandHelper would then need to be made in both apps.

If you'd like us to clear your BandHelper account so you can start over, let us know. Thanks!"

So after reading this forum and getting this message I am confused. If someone has 5 DBs lets say and imports those into 5 different Projects, per Mr. Wright above won't I have 5 copies of all the documents and recordings in the Band Helper DataBase?

I really need to make sure I know whats going on here. My shows depend on all of this working and therefore I must maintain my SLM system and continue my development of new songs there until I know for sure all this will work in BH.

Thanks.

Set List Maker doesn't have the ability to separate documents per database (all documents are shared by all databases). If this leads to duplicate metadata being imported with multiple databases, you can delete that using the batch delete button on the Repertoire > Documents page of the BandHelper website. You should be able to see which are the duplicates because they will have a name but not a file icon (assuming you did upload the files when you did the first import).

Hiya.

I use Set List Maker on my iPad, and I also have an iPhone on my same Apple ID, so the Set List Maker App syncs between my devices.  Will this change, or will they still sync between devices due to be on the same Apple ID?

Set List Maker syncing isn't related to your Apple ID (otherwise you wouldn't be able to sync with your bandmates). You must be using the database sync function, so you'll have to use one of the alternatives outlined above.

Oh pants!  OK, so from what I understand, is the easiest way around this by using the Import/Export option?

I use my iPad as my main device, so do I Export all my databases to my cloud, then get my iPhone and Import all the databases back down from the cloud onto the iphone? Can you do all the databases at once or one by one?

I probably won't attempt this until after New Years Eve as I have loads of gigs throughout December and cannot afford to loose anything!!!!

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I use my iPad as my main device, so do I Export all my databases to my cloud, then get my iPhone and Import all the databases back down from the cloud onto the iphone? Can you do all the databases at once or one by one?

Yes, you could do that. You'll have to one database at a time. Then you can leave those exported files on your cloud account and that will serve as a backup.

Hi Arlo,

I am planning to purchase the Solo Bandhelper app. For now however, I am experiencing issues with my current linking of documents and recordings in Setlist Maker. After importing documents and recordings, I then link through Songs tab . When I  create a show either the document or recording is delinked. I have to go back to Songs tab and relink, but same thing happens after a period of time,. In fact when play the song, the recording stops midstream. What can I do to fix?

I have been importing through drop box from my computer as this is the easiest for me albeit a tedious process. Has the transition to bandhelper affected my current database? because I'm not that savvy technically speaking, I'm nervous about switching over to bandhelper for the balance of the year as I have several gigs and don't want to lose what I created quite yet. Unless of course the process with bandhelper is simpler, I keep what I have through Setlist M and protect any new linking of documents and recordings.

Thanks for your help!
John

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I am planning to purchase the Solo Bandhelper app. For now however, I am experiencing issues with my current linking of documents and recordings in Setlist Maker.

If you want to troubleshoot that, please submit a help ticket:

https://helpdesk.arlomedia.com/arlomedia

But if you're planning to switch to BandHelper soon, I wouldn't bother, because linking to documents and recordings works totally differently there and any problem you're experiencing in one app probably won't carry over to the other.

Hiya

I've been reading through all the info again and read that if I use the Export Import method, it will NOT export all the recordings and documents?!  If that is the case what exactly is it exporting?

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I've been reading through all the info again and read that if I use the Export Import method, it will NOT export all the recordings and documents?!  If that is the case what exactly is it exporting?

The export/import function includes songs, shows, smart lists, MIDI presets and MIDI devices. It does not include layouts, documents, recordings or settings. This is the same as the old database sync function.

If you want to sync documents and recordings, you can switch to BandHelper, which syncs all of the above plus documents, recordings, layouts and some settings.

OK, thanks.  I've decided to switch to Bandhelper.  We had already downloaded the app ages ago but never used it!  I tried to open the app and it's asking for my Account Name, Username and Password, but I can't remember what any of them are!!! I've submitted a help desk ticket, hopefully they can help me out.

I've now got my Bandhelper account and have been trying to find out how to get the Databases from Set List Maker over to Bandhelper.  I have found something that says to e-mail it over from Set List Maker.  But the e-mails currently aren't working on my iphone so is there any other way of getting the Databases from Set List Maker on my iphone to Bandhelper?

No, the export to BandHelper requires that you have a working email account on your device. If you're syncing between devices, you can do that from any of the devices.

So I've now managed to e-mail it via a G-mail account.  It's transferred the Database list of songs and the documents but NOT the recordings.  How do I get the recordings to transfer?

The fastest way is to gather up your recordings on your computer, zip them together and upload them using the Batch Upload button on the Repertoire > Recordings page of the BandHelper website. More details and options are here:

http://www.bandhelper.com/tutorials/attaching_recordings.html

So I zipped my itunes and it's WAY over 500MB!!! Does anyone know of a way to zip just one playlist within iTunes, so I can then batch import it into Bandhelper.

You can make a folder on your computer, then select all the items in the playlist in iTunes, and drag them to that folder.

But if the folder is too big, you'll have to split your recordings across multiple folders, then zip and upload each folder separately.

Thanks Arlo, I'll give that a try. :)

If they're small enough do they still need to be zipped?

Yes.

This is frustrating! So I broke it down and transferred 13 different zips to get the backing tracks over to Bandhelper, but not all of them worked.  So in Recordings I've been going through and manually attaching the relevant missing backing tracks, but when I click on the recording button it doesn't play!

Please submit a help ticket to troubleshoot that:

https://helpdesk.arlomedia.com/arlomedia

I am using Set List Maker V 2.2.8(98) on a Samsung Tab S2.
I am trying to export my database and have deleted the old sync name and password, but I cannot find any button in the upper toolbar that relates to syncing or export/import. What am I missing? What page should it appear on?

Is Settings > Appearance > Top Toolbar Buttons > Database Import/Export turned on? It's on by default, but some people have turned it off.

That did it. (I should have seen that.) Thanks

Hi arlo...

Well, I tried to email the database to a google cloud account, which has worked but only resulted in a 1,29 Meg of data.. I KNOW that I have a little over 16 GIGS of mp3 data...  if I switch to Band Helper... What is the size limit? Does it back up everything at ONCE or do I have to fiddle with the database in order to make them into smaller chunks?

Set List Maker's export function, like the sync function before it, doesn't include your attached recordings; you have to install those onto your devices yourself as before.

You aren't really using 16GB of recordings in Set List Maker, are you? At an average of 5MB per MP3, that would be 3200 songs.

Hi Arlo,

As every year we have a little break with the band in the beginning of the year. Yesterday I saw that you've unfortunately deactivated the DB sync function and was surprised in a bad way. I'm still a user of ver. 3.4.5 and I'm very satisfied with this old version, it does everything I need to have in a superb way. I have 4 devices (3 iPads and 1 iPhone) where I have SLM installed. I primary use a iPad 3 (iOS 7) espeacially at live gigs, the other 3 devices have more or less backup functions. However the DB sync function was very important for me to get the changes on all of my devices.

Do I have any chances to avoid the manual changes on every single device with the old version 3.4.5?

May I use Bandhelper for synching with version 3.4.5?

Bye

Heimo

Sorry, there's no longer any way to sync your data with version 3.4.5. (That version is four years old now!)

You could back up your device to iTunes, then restore your other devices from that backup ... but that's time-consuming and it would probably be easier to repeat your changes manually unless you're making a lot of updates.