how to use my airport express just to stream music, no interent

I tried the whole roaming network setup and still can't get it to work. Where it says to set primary wifi base station to "share ip address" and extending wifi base station to "off bridge mode" Do i just set the AX to off bridge mode and forget about "share ip address"? or do I need to do change a setting on my router for that?

Hi Tesserax, It seems you could help me. I have slightly different situation than Tyus4 - no chance to connect AX via Ethernet cabel to Internet (router) permanently. So, I configured the AX as a standalone wireless network (through its connection to MBA). But the problem is, that I cannot access my original wifi (and browse a net on MBA or iPad) simultaneously when I'm streaming music 😟.
Can I set up the AX as 1) extending my previous wireless network or 2) join it ... but just by temporarily connected ethernet cabel (to router or MBA)? How, and will it work? My goal is just to use AX for streaming music AND have my devices concurrently connected to my original wifi.
Thanks a lot.

Tesserax - your info was really helpful, and it worked for creating a stand alone network for streaming music from both an ipad and an iphone into a stereo receiver and a speaker system.

I'm still a bit confused as to why I can't get my home network to recognize my AX. It would recognize it for brief periods of time after a reset, but the AX would disappear from the Airport Utility after making the changes you recommended in the original post and updating. I had to try several times. The set up only worked the way you suggested - with a manual set-up and a stand alone network.

At first I thought the AX was too far away from the main router - but my iphone picks up the main network just fine in all locations. I'd still like to connect the AX to the main wireless network. I think I'm dealing with the same thing as jamiebuckingham noted.

OK. Tesserax, since you seem to be so knowledgable on the Airport Express and since this is such a good thread explaining how this thing works, I pose another question.

First to help make sure I got it right, if you have an Airport Express (AX1- Base) set us as your wireless router via ethernet hard link from an internet modem, AND you have a second Airport Express (AX 2) set up somewhere nearby, you can connect AX2 to AX1-Base which will then allow you to stream your computer's iTunes music library via AX 2's Aux output on external speakers WHILE ALSO allowing you to search the web (i,e. Letting you stream Pandora).

This is possible, correct?

Now the question: Can an Apple TV 2 connect to AX1-Base wirelessly? Goal: To wirelessly send Apple TV Audio (Netflix, Apple TV radio, etc.) via AX1-Base's connection out External Speakers connected to AX1-Base's AUX jack.

And P.S. Thank you for all the previous responses to everyone's questions. We thank you!

First to help make sure I got it right, if you have an Airport Express (AX1- Base) set us as your wireless router via ethernet hard link from an internet modem, AND you have a second Airport Express (AX 2) set up somewhere nearby, you can connect AX2 to AX1-Base which will then allow you to stream your computer's iTunes music library via AX 2's Aux output on external speakers WHILE ALSO allowing you to search the web (i,e. Letting you stream Pandora).

This is possible, correct?

That is correct.

Can an Apple TV 2 connect to AX1-Base wirelessly?

Yes. However, you cannot stream from an Apple TV as it is not a media server. The Apple TV audio can only go either via its HMDI or digital optical ports.

Thank you so much Tesserax.

My intention was to wireless connect as many pieces of my audio equipment possible to the Airport Express to have as few possible cords going into the External speakers, thus eliminating the need for an Audio/Visual Receiver.

Follow-on Question:

Assuming the same setup architecture as mentioned previously, will the older model Airports (the one that plugs directly into the power outlet) work with the new model Airport Express? Example, can I use the new model as AX1-Base and an older plug in model for AX 2 that connect to AX1-Base to stream on my downstairs speaker system?

Assuming the same setup architecture as mentioned previously, will the older model Airports (the one that plugs directly into the power outlet) work with the new model Airport Express? Example, can I use the new model as AX1-Base and an older plug in model for AX 2 that connect to AX1-Base to stream on my downstairs speaker system?

Yes.

Hi

Thanks for this - I have the Airport express base station a1264 for a few years. Been working great - occassionally it was dropping out. I have no internet connected to it and all my mac / iphone and ipads can connect to it.

Well, I tried to update the firmware and now - it works but the exclamation point is telling me there's no internet - I know that but I never saw that alert before - it's on the tool bar over the wifi Icon. Using Airport utility 6.3.1

Any suggestions?

should have left it alone!!!

Thanks

Art

The solution to the OP was for a situation where there would be NO Internet connection. The error you see is normal. You should be able to use the AirPort Utility to ignore this error so that you don't see the exclamation point.

Tesserax,

Late joiner, but it looks like the thread may still be active - thanks for that. I'm close to OP in desires (use AE sans internet), but I have an offsite purpose. First, I have (2) A1264 802.11n Expresses, one of which has been used in home as part of home network for years with no AirPlay issue on AExtreme network. The 2nd is configured similarly as a backup to work with home network, simply as an AirPlay (actually originally as AirTunes) device and both are on current firmware.

My need - I often need to take MacBook Pro offsite to play iTunes for garage parties. I would like to know how the 2nd Express might be utilized. Typically I either hotspot via cell/ipad (wifi) for MBP internet connection or in some cases wirelessly have access password to the hosts wifi, doing so to maintain internet connectivity for iTunes Match purposes. So wireless is generally tied up from MBP in that regard. Options for using the 2nd Express would be to configure it to join host wifi (an unknown each time) or to set it up as an AirPlay receptacle on it's own, right?

So can I a) wirelessly connect the MBP to internet via either cell wifi hotspot or local provided wifi if password is supplied, AND b) somehow simultaneously connect to the 2nd Express (which is in turn cable connected to a beefy powered speaker)? My guess is that I can't do both wirelessly simultaneously, so would have to do it via Ethernet cable into the Express, but I've never tried to play tunes thru it in wired fashion. I recently wirelessly connected to the 2nd Express as currently configured as a client on my home AExtreme network and the Express (to beefy powered speaker) output rocks, but I don't want to mess up my home system by experimenting with reconfiguring the network itself or the 2nd Express here until I know that the concept of simultaneously using MBP wireless for network/hotspot internet AND wired ethernet to 2nd Express for AirPlay is even a possibility.

Any thoughts on that? Can I use wireless internet and wired AirPlay connections simultaneously?

Thanks.

Typically I either hotspot via cell/ipad (wifi) for MBP internet connection or in some cases wirelessly have access password to the hosts wifi, doing so to maintain internet connectivity for iTunes Match purposes. So wireless is generally tied up from MBP in that regard. Options for using the 2nd Express would be to configure it to join host wifi (an unknown each time) or to set it up as an AirPlay receptacle on it's own, right?

Yes, either would be correct.

So can I a) wirelessly connect the MBP to internet via either cell wifi hotspot or local provided wifi if password is supplied, AND b) somehow simultaneously connect to the 2nd Express (which is in turn cable connected to a beefy powered speaker)?

Only if the 2nd Express is either joined or extending the same network ... and it will only be able to extend it if the network owner is using another Apple router ( and provides you permission to administer it.)

The solution to the OP was to create a stand-alone Wi-Fi network dedicated for streaming that does NOT have Internet access.

All worked while until a couple of weeks ago. I can turn on my stereo upstairs, go downstairs and use iTunes to select an internet radio station, check it by playing it on the iMac, then switch to airport express and the station plays through the upstairs stereo, so everything seems to be perfect. But when I select "internet radio" from the iPad remote app, I no longer get the list of internet stations. Instead, the cursor whirls, and then streaming stops. Up until a couple the remote app in iPad worked just fine. I don't understand what's going on or how to fix it. Any ideas?

It doesn't sound like the issue is with your current network setup as you are able to stream from other devices. I would suggest that you post your issue to the iPad area of the Apple Support Communities to see if you can get some assistance with a solution there.

HI Tesserax, I like others need help with this airport express/itunes business. My AX connects to my iPad and iPhone and worked just fine, until something happened and it didn't work anymore! the light on the AX is flashing Amber, but used to be green. When I use the airport utility it just says that it's not connected to the Internet. I know that, that's how I have it set up. But, even though my phone and iPad can pick up the signal, and connect, the music won't play! I have the AX connected to the "play" side of "tape 2" on my (obviously old...who has cassette tapes??) receiver.

why does the AX still flash Amber? And why can't I get the audio?

the light on the AX is flashing Amber, but used to be green.

The flashing amber status light indicates that the AX thinks something is wrong. Most likely a configuration issue. Just select the AX using the AirPort Utility. Then look for a Status setting in the small window that appears. Click on the small amber dot there and another window will open to explain what the issue might be. Please post back your results.

Also, which exact version of the AirPort Express do you have?

Hello Tesserax

I have been reading this thread and trying to confirm I can use an AX device for my purposes. I think I can but after visiting an Apple shop today am worried and a little uncertain. My requirement is very similar to others but I want to confirm it can be done before I shell out some peanuts for the device itself. All I want to is use my iPad 2 to play music so I can sing along.

I am a singer and use my iPad for gigs to play backing tracks. I connect my iPad's headphone socket to one of my PA/Amplifiers' input channel and it works fine. The music being played is all held/stored on my iPad (in iTunes) and I do not use any internet or other network connection during gigs.

I want to remove my audio cable as I have an upcoming gig in a restaurant where my PA will be located some distance away (metres) and I'd like to be able to roam around with my iPad, selecting songs and pressing play and have them play through the PA without using Bluetooth or a cable. I think the best way to do this would be to use an AX device setup as its own stand-alone network and connect it to my PA then wifi to it from my iPad. The venue does not have a wireless network that I could use and I wouldn't want to anyway as public networks tend to have limited bandwidths and I don't want playback interruptions - hence the idea of a dedicated network setup for this purpose.

I can understand connecting the AX device to my Windows PC to set it up but mostly it will have no internet connection whatsoever.

I have additional concerns so here are my questions:

1. Can AX be setup as I have described above - to receive iPad playback (via wifi) using its own dedicated little network and output it via its audio socket to my PA?

2. Is there a better way to do this - something I have not thought of?

3. I am concerned about performance of course. Music files playback isn't too onerous but if it's thrashing around with wifi will that cause any noticeable latency issues?

4. What might the impact be of using wifi like this on the battery? Currently a 2-our gig of playing music via an audio cable only uses about 15% which is excellent. Using wifi as well to transmit the signal will probably use more. I could of course plug into power but would rather use less cabling

Thank you

BRIAN GOLD