General Category > Call for help - Scheduler

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hmkelsey:
Hi,

I'm a new user whose still utilizing the trial version in an attempt to make sure this software is for me. I'm actually new to this whole industry so please be patient with me as I have multiple questions.

Ok, I'd like to know if there is a way to more closely control what is scheduled. It could be that I'm not doing something right; however, I feel that some songs are being played too much, while others not enough. These playlists contain a good amount of songs, but it seems as if scheduler favors certain songs over others that don't seem to get scheduled as often. I've even tried specifying the times that certan playlists are scheduled (a confusing step, to me anyway). To better illustrate I'll attach a screenshot of the script

 Also, when trying to build a script using only one 'fill' with specified fill times it only adds one song unless I add multiple fills. I'll attach a screenshot of this as well.

Please Help! Thanks :)

Lane:
If you're selecting random, random will have clumps. Over the long term, it's all even, but in the shorter term, it's all clumpy. That's how random works. :0

So the way around this is to make use of Smart Playlists in iTunes to create lists for you that are shaped to eliminate recently played songs etc.  Radiologik DJ and Scheduler doesn't try to reinvent the power already within iTunes Smart Playlists. Instead, it exploits them fully.

One of the things I do is create a long and a short list.  I first attempt to get songs from the short list. If it can't find one the length needed, it will then fall back to the longer list. In the short list, I might have songs that haven't played today, or some other variation on a more limited list, that eliminates a lot of tunes I'd prefer weren't chosen.

I recommend you spend a little time looking and getting to understand all of the powerful options in an itunes smart playlists. I bet is spurs your imagination.

And welcome to the forum!

MetroEast IT:
Using smart lists takes a bit of experimentation...  but a couple rules of thumb (learned thanks to the good folks here.)

Think of a rotation as a sub list of a list or group of tracks.

You might have a smart list that looks for 'preferred' in a field...  now you've a list of all your preferred tracks.

Then you might make a list that has its first rule select tracks from an existing playlist: 'Playlist' 'is' <drop down of existing lists>
... at the bottom, you would check the 'Limit to' 'items' option, choosing a number here might take experimentation...

Select, 'least recently played' for a sub list that contains only items not recently played.
...and, 'least often played' for a sub list that contains only items not played as much.

We use the rotation sub lists as our main pick and the total list as a fallback.

There're several other ideas and ways to combine the rules. Makes for a powerful selection tool.

Ash:

--- Quote from: hmkelsey on November 15, 2011, 09:51:43 AM --- Also, when trying to build a script using only one 'fill' with specified fill times it only adds one song unless I add multiple fills. I'll attach a screenshot of this as well.

--- End quote ---

Hi hmkelsey,
I realize I'm late to this conversation, but I wanted to be sure you got this figured out. I autoplay 24/7, and I hardly ever change my schedule or have problems -- but because Scheduler seems to glitch up when I update versions occasionally--and it's only occasionally, I have to relearn how scripts work each time in order to fiddle with them. I've experienced exactly the above-described behavior a couple of times, relearned how Minimums and Maximums work, and each time have said "Ohhh yeah, now I remember." In fact, I found your post while searching (yet again) for resolution to my own selfsame problem.

The bottom line for me was (and is, each time) this: if in my Script using a "fill", I had a Maximum of None, and also a Minimum of None, the above behavior occurred: only one track added to queue. Then, my "oh yeah. duh." moment each time is raising the Minimum to a reasonable value. (For me it's 239:00, because I use 4-hour blocks and just use one playlist.)  Then the magic playlist filling occurs, the clouds part, and choirs of angels fill the room, carried on rays of pure light. More or less. At least the playlist-filling happens.

Anyway, it's the kind of basic thing that's likely obvious and intuitive to someone who interacts with the RL software regularly and knows scripts inside and out, but for me who only touches them rarely (despite having been a RL user for years) or a new person, it might not be as obvious how this basic script function works.

Whether or not this was your same issue, I hope you got things sorted out and have fun.
All best,
Ash

hmkelsey:
Thanks Guys!!

Ash, could you help me to better understand the hour commands? I've figured it out enough to reasonably program, however, I'd like to fully understand how this works.

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