Find out what makes Brandtrack background music player a great match for OptiSigns digital signage users, and how to set them both up.
OptiSigns digital signage software has everything you need for your digital signs: an easy-to-use interface, robust content creation and management tools, scheduling, video and asset playlists, feeds, and more.
But what about background music for businesses? What can OptiSigns do there?
While OptiSigns is perfectly capable of playing background music, for a more complete offline experience we recommend pairing OptiSigns with Brandtrack. This is due to music licensing, which is legally required to play music in public and commercial settings.
What is Brandtrack?
Brandtrack is a music streaming service with a focus on commercial spaces. It has numerous licenses to play various genres of music. In order to use it, you’ll need a subscription to their service, which is separate from that of OptiSigns.
Why Pair OptiSigns and Brandtrack?
OptiSigns is the #1 reviewed digital signage option, with robust options for bringing videos, images, apps, and more to your screen. With its singular focus on digital signage, OptiSigns is an all-in one platform that allows you to remotely manage your content across all your screens.
Brandtrack provides fully licensed background music. When paired with OptiSigns, you’ll be able to have customizable displays with tailored background music for your business without the headache of potential licensing issues.
How to Play Licensed Background Music with OptiSigns and Brandtrack
There are three steps to start playing licensed music on your OptiSigns enabled digital signs:
- Install Brandtrack on your OptiSigns Devices
- Open the Brandtrack App on the Device, enter the Zone Code, and Hit Play
- Re-open OptiSigns
Now OptiSigns will play your digital signage content, with Brandtrack playing music in the background.
Below, we’ll walk you through each step in more detail.
How to Install and Play Brandtrack on your OptiSigns Devices
Create a Brandtrack account, then set up a Zone with the types of music you want playing in the background with your sign by pairing a Playlist to that Zone. When fully set up, you will receive a code:
You’ll need this code to pair Brandtrack with your device, much like setting up and pairing a screen with OptiSigns. The actual way to get Brandtrack onto your device will vary depending on what device you use.
Note that each device you set up with Brandtrack will count as a separate Zone, and that in order to perform initial setup, you will need an internet connection.
On Windows and Linux Devices
Simply click on the Download Music Playback App button in the Brandtrack portal to download the Brandtrack software:
Once it has downloaded, open the software. You’ll be greeted by this screen:
Input your Zone code there, and the Playlist you set up when you created your Zone will automatically begin to play, and the contents of the playlist will begin to cache. After a few minutes of caching, you will be able to go offline with the device if needed.
Playback can be paused and tracks skipped by hitting the playback buttons onscreen.
Next, open your OptiSigns app, and ensure it is paired. Your content will begin to play, with Brandtrack continuing to play in the background.
On Android Devices
For generic Android Devices, there are two options: via the Google Play store or via APK.
For Generic Android Devices
The Google Play store lets you download the Brandtrack app quickly. Download the app, then put in your Zone code and your pre-set playlist will download to the device. Once it’s finished downloading, the music will continue to play even if internet access to the device is interrupted.
Next, open your OptiSigns app, and your content will begin to play, with Brandtrack continuing to play in the background.
For OptiSigns Android Stick Players
To download Brandtrack onto an OptiSigns Android Stick, you’ll need to download the Bandtrack APK. Then, you’ll need to transfer the APK to your device via USB or MicroSD card.
Once that’s done, run the APK package. This will install the Brandtrack app onto the device. Then, simply open it, enter the Zone code, and Brandtrack will download your pre-set playlist. Music will begin to play. Simply open your OptiSigns app, and your signage assets will begin to play, with music from Brandtrack playing in the background.
NOTE: Brandtrack will not automatically load when the device is rebooted, and will need to be manually opened.
On Mac Devices
The Apple Store lets you download the Brandtrack app quickly. Download the app, then put in your Zone code and your pre-set playlist will download to the device. Once it’s finished downloading, the music will continue to play even if internet access to the device is interrupted.
Open your OptiSigns app, and your content will begin to play, with Brandtrack continuing to play in the background.
How to Set Up Video with Background Music
If you want to play a video with Brandtrack playing in the background, you will need to follow some specific steps. Otherwise, your video will interrupt the background music.
Place Video Asset/Youtube app into a Split Screen
Find the video or playlist with video you’d like to play, then create a split screen app in OptiSigns:
We recommend creating a Custom Split Screen:
Then, you’ll need to create a second zone. You can create a zone like the one below, or edit it as you like. Placing your company logo in the bottom right corner is one idea, or you can create an "invisible" zone by putting it in the background by using the Send Backward option.
No matter what you place in this zone or how you set it up, make sure the asset does not have an audio component.
Now for the most important part: setting your audio to Zone 2. Click the Settings gear:
Next, set the Audio Zone to a different zone than the one you want to play video on. In this example, that’s Zone 2:
Now your video will play with no audio interruptions for your background music.
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