Trying to create tutorial

Product support
1

Yikes! I might be in over my head.

I was wondering if anyone could help me streamline my steps for success because I’m running into problems but it might be a fundamental misunderstanding of this project.

Goals: Use the hardware I have to build a multi room sync sound system.

Assets:
New Raspberry Pi4 4GB with 128GB SD Card
NUC(s) multiple versions
USB drives
CLEAN network using a default settings router (192, DHCP, PnP, etc) - The only items on this network will be the sound devices and my phone so I can cast Spotify to it. *(this is where I landed last night after troubleshooting for a long time) - I started on a VLAN of my Unifi network where I normally build projects for my tutorials.

My steps:

Created balena account
created NUC fleet
created raspberry pi4 (64bit OS) fleet (Here is my exact model of Pi)
I used Etcher to flash a new SD card which I then put into my Pi.
Here are the settings I used to flash the SD card: Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Next I connected the Pi via ethernet (I even swapped this out at one point) directly to my router.
I can see the device in my console so I believe it has booted and is working. However, it does not seem to be doing anything. It just says: “starting supervisor” Imgur: The magic of the Internet

So, I switched to one of my NUC devices. This one is a NUC5i5MYHE (I have used this as a PLEX server in some of my tutorials) and I wiped the drive just for this project.

I started by going back and creating a new fleet. I chose IntelNUC. I added a device with these settings Imgur: The magic of the Internet

I flashed a USB drive using ETCHER and USB booted the NUC to the USB. I then rebooted the NUC with it directly connected to the network via ETHERNET. I can see it in the console. Imgur: The magic of the Internet

However, it has many failures and restarts. I think I might not have the right NUC.

I really want to get the bare bones “working” tutorial made before the weekend as a deadline. Is it possible you can trim down for me even further? What do I need to do to get this working? I have other hardware. I can try other things. So far I haven’t had any luck deploying this.

Thank you very much for you help.
I accidentally cross posted this when I was having NUC problems. Mods can delete that post. I don’t think I can be helped there.

Thank you!

2

Hello, creating a fleet and adding a device are good first steps. Is this for balenaSound? If so, the Pi fleet of devices would be a better choice. You can create a balenaSound fleet with the “Deploy with balena” button found here: Getting Started | Balena Sound - then add devices to that fleet, download the OS, and flash to the devices. The “Getting Started” guide is here: Getting Started | Balena Sound and may be helpful.

3

Wait, I’m confused at a fundamental level. Have I missed a step? I believe I’ve done exactly what you describe. Can you explain what I’ve done wrong that is different from what you’ve described? Again, I’m looking for a specific outcome. Did I miss a step?

BTW; I have followed the steps you linked. But perhaps there’s more reading I’ve missed.

  1. Prep sd card using etcher
  2. Turn on device
  3. Connect to network

Again. Have I misunderstood the project? Does this get me to synchronized music?

4

The three steps you listed happen after you click the “Deploy with balena” button (which creates the fleet) and then in the balenaCloud dashboard add a device to the fleet, and download the SD card image. Have you also completed those steps as well? Also, what audio output are you using on the Pi?

5

The three steps you listed happen after you click the “Deploy with balena”: Have you also completed those steps as well?

Yes. I’ve completed those steps. I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear. (Are there better screenshots I can supply)?
I’ve tried using the deploy button as well as manual deployment.

I just want to double check something one more time.
The goal I’m looking for is to deploy synced audio to multiple speakers in multiple locations.
It appears this is possible with the hardware I’ve listed Imgur: The magic of the Internet

But, I still think I’m missing something important. I’ve deployed the software but it’s not working.
Have I missed a step?

Are there more screenshots I can supply to better help identify what step I’m on?
Is there hardware I’m missing? I have everything listed in the getting started list.

Also, what audio output are you using on the Pi?

Analog

6

It should work the way you’ve described - synced audio to multiple speakers connected to multiple devices on the same network. Are you sending audio via Bluetooth/Airplay/Spotify to one of the devices to create a “master” device? You might want to start with one device and get that working before you add multiple “client” devices. You can also check out the troubleshooting guide here: Support | Balena Sound .

7

Thank you. I made some progress last night.

I am sending audio via Spotify.

Yes, as you mentioned as part of my troubleshooting I am trying to get just one pi to receive and play audio.

I was able to see the device in the spotify list, however there are several errors showing in the console.

Can you help me to identify these errors?