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

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.

Hoping you can help. I recently bought a new airport extreme, set this up as my base station next to my downstairs computer (iMac running OS X 10.10.5). I reinitialized my older airport extreme and configured it to serve as an extender, plugged in upstairs. It works fine. Meanwhile, I've been using my airport express, also upstairs, as a client to stream internet radio from my iMac to my upstairs stereo, and using the remote app on my iPad (now running OS 9.0.2) to access internet radio from iTunes and select stations. Here's a snapshot of how airport utility sees all these elements.

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?

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

First, if you purchase the AirPort Express from the Apple Store they have a return policy if you are not satisfied that it will meet all of your goals for it.

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?

Yes, this should work. Sorry, I don't have an iPad handy to verify it though.

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

Again, what you propose should work. Of course, you should give it a try before attempting to take it on location just to be sure and to familiarize yourself with its operation.

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?

The latest (2nd generation) AirPort Express supports 802.11n wireless. So should be your iPad 2. This is more than enough bandwidth to handle audio streaming. Just be sure to keep the location of the iPad & the Express in the same area to prevent any unnecessary Wi-Fi interference to have a clean signal between them. Since you will be operating a Wi-Fi network, even though local, I would suggest that you use wireless encryption to prevent anyone from connecting and using up your network's bandwidth.

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

The wireless drain would be similar to what you are getting now when your iPad is connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi. I would suspect that you will see a greater power draw on the battery and should expect that battery life will be affected ... but I don't think it would be significant ... unless you are already experiencing poor battery life. For example, if your iPad is several years old and is starting to have battery issues.

Tesserax,

Thanks for your reply and considered suggestions...

1. I will do this, imagine setting it up to work without an Ethernet/internet connection may cause issues with errors being logged but as you've indicated in other posts on this thread, these can be ignored, or even switched off

2. Always try before going on the road with things like this. I'm a relatively new iPad user (started in May this year) and spent ages getting to know it and the app as well as trialling it out. I had original concerns about the low volume level output by the iPad's headphone socket but have plenty of scope on my amp

3. Makes sense. Not sure how we would define "in the same area" but within 30 yards certainly although there won't be line of sight visibility I don't expect. Other wireless networks will be fairly minimal as the restaurant is in a reasonably rural location. I assume wireless encryption is an option with the AX device.

4. Battery is fine. I expect some rundown if using wifi as well but overall I wouldn't expect to use it wirelessly in the way I want to for more than 2 hours. Probably less

Thanks again

BRIAN

To tie this thread up I can confirm that I purchased an AirPort Express device from my local Apple Store (Trafford Centre, Manchester) last week and managed to successfully (easily) use it as required/desired.

I can now walk around with my iPad and play songs using the Stage Traxx app to my PA in another room. It works a treat.

Setup was simply a matter of...

1. Install Apple's AirPort utility onto iPad

2. Power up AX (AirPort Express) device then use the AirPort utility to find and connect to it

3. Setup the AX as a new network (not connected to internet) and give it a name and password

4. Go into iTunes and select AirPort Express as the output device

5. Play music through iTunes and listen to it come out of speakers connected to AX (music also played through StageTraxx app which uses the iTunes player by default)

Switching iPad back on after it went into standby or after using connected to my house wifi I had to go into settings and select the AX wifi connection then back into iTunes and check output is to AX device but that takes all of 20 seconds so isn't a serious overhead.

Hope this helps anyone looking to do the same

BRIAN

This is such a valuable set of instructions. Thank you Tesserax. Can you UPDATE it for current airport utillity 6.x? Many thanks in advance.

This post is referring to you original set of instructions posted July 29. 2012.