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Unofficial Mackie User Forums => DL1608/DL806/DL32R/ProDX Mixers => Topic started by: RoadRanger on March 15, 2013, 03:19:53 PM

Title: FAQ: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: RoadRanger on March 15, 2013, 03:19:53 PM
I'm real happy with the used dual band Netgear WNDR3700 V1 that I bought off of eBay for $50.

Others are using the Apple routers. Make sure you get a current version of these - older ones are known to have problems :( .

These support the mostly unused 5 GHz band :) vs the crowded and interference prone 2.4 GHz band :( . All iPads are dual band :) .

Note that you must let your router fully boot before you power on your DL1608 or the DL1608 will not "see" the router and you won't have wireless capacity :( . My router takes about 1-1/4 minutes to boot :o !

Also you might want to disable the 2/4 GHz if you aren't using it and I set the data rates at 56 Mb so that the router doesn't take up more RF channels than needed.
Title: Re: Routers
Post by: TheVIPea on March 27, 2013, 08:04:29 PM
I just got, from fleabay, a Apple AirPort Extreme so I can use it in 5ghz only, really because I have a Line 6 g50 guitar wireless system which operates on 2.4ghz, and since I got that the iPad kept loosing connection with the DL. I have tried changing channels, switchingthe g50 to low power, etc. but no improvement. Really annoying! I am going to plumb it in tomorrow and try it out live on Friday. Fingers crossed - what is the worst thing that can happen!
Title: Re: Routers
Post by: WK154 on March 27, 2013, 08:25:46 PM
I have Netgear  WNDR3700 V2 a totally different chipset from V1 but works great. I mounted it on a Lexan plate where the iPad would be in docking mode hence the 3 ft cable that hasn't given me any problems. Caution on Linksys routers, some of their latest firmware updates included Cisco (Linksys) to shut your internet access down from their end and spy on you. Needless to say they got clobbered good by corporations and others and quickly produced alternate firmware. The Spy-firmware is still on their site. Make sure you get the right one! Could you imagine what a Hacker could do with this? Talk about a power trip!
Title: Does DL1608 Have To Plug Into Airport Express Ethernet?
Post by: ChiroVette on April 01, 2013, 01:08:57 PM
Hey, does the DL1608 have WiFi built in and can interface with the router over ethernet or do you have to plug it in? I ask because I am also going to be controlling my lights with the iPad using an ARTNet to DMX converter and an app and that needs to hard-plug into the router. If the DL1608 does as well, then is this doable with some kind of an ethernet splitter system?
Title: Re: Does DL1608 Have To Plug Into Airport Express Ethernet?
Post by: RoadRanger on April 01, 2013, 01:37:13 PM
Yes, it needs to be plugged into the router too. Unless you need the AirPlay output on the AirPort Express you'd be better off getting one of the Netgear dual band routers (see above).

Here's some on fleaBay:
http://www.ebay.com/dsc/i.html?_adv=1&_from=R40&_ftrv=1&_ipg=50&_sadis=200&_sop=15&LH_TitleDesc=1&LH_SALE_CURRENCY=0&_sacat=0&_dmd=1&_ftrt=901&_nkw=%28wndr3400%2C+wndr3700%29+-antenna&_trksid=m194&ssPageName=STRK:MEFSRCHX:SRCH
Title: Re: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: ChiroVette on April 01, 2013, 01:46:56 PM
Not sure if I need the AirPlay option, but I doubt it would be a deal breaker either way. What about some sort of an Ethernet splitter. I used to use one for gaming on the XBox and the 360. I had a wired (not wireless) device that my Internet and router signal plugged directly into. Then I could plug up to four XBoxes into the unit and we could all play over LAN or even on the internet. Could something like this be adapted with the Airport Express so that I can plug both the DMX controller and the DL1608 into the router?

If not, I guess I could just go with another router and screw the Airplay. Though the largest advantage of AirPlay is that I can play music for our crowds between sets and not have to leave the iPad docked where it can be potentially stolen while I am in the restroom or something.
Title: Re: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: RoadRanger on April 01, 2013, 01:53:10 PM
What you describe is called an "ethernet switch".
Title: Re: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: ChiroVette on April 01, 2013, 02:54:28 PM
RoadRanger, what's the difference between the WNDR3400 and the 3700?

Amazon has a few WNDR3400 refurbs for like $40.00, which looks like a nice price. Also there is something called a 4 port WNDR3400, which I assume has four inputs available instead of the two of the unit you recommend or the ONE of the AirPort Express? But I am not sure.

Here is a link to one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NETGEAR-N600-300-Mbps-4-Port-10-100-Wireless-N-Router-WNDR3400-/130880775444?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14873%26meid%3D6656711459173097028%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D4%26sd%3D271181197498%26

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: RoadRanger on April 01, 2013, 03:06:50 PM
RoadRanger, what's the difference between the WNDR3400 and the 3700?
The former has 10/100 Mb ethernet and the latter 10/100/1000 - you only need 100 :) .
Quote
Amazon has a few WNDR3400 refurbs for like $40.00, which looks like a nice price. Also there is something called a 4 port WNDR3400, which I assume has four inputs available instead of the two of the unit you recommend or the ONE of the AirPort Express? But I am not sure.
All WNDR's have four ports plus a WAN port you won't be using.
Title: Re: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: ChiroVette on April 01, 2013, 03:15:49 PM
Ah okay, thanks! So does this mean that I can hook up to four devices to it, DL1608, the ARTNET to DMX device, plus two others?
Title: Re: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: RoadRanger on April 01, 2013, 03:38:46 PM
Ah okay, thanks! So does this mean that I can hook up to four devices to it, DL1608, the ARTNET to DMX device, plus two others?
That's the theory :) .
Title: Re: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: Kevin on April 01, 2013, 03:47:03 PM
Speaking of non-Apple routers - one of the reasons that I went with the Express (besides being able to use Airplay) is that a friend has a couple of PreSonus boards and he was not able to get a reliable connection to the iPad until he switched to Apple routers.  I figured that this was probably an Apple iPad/MacBook idiosyncrasy that was best avoided by buying one of their overpriced routers, but apparantly its not a problem with the DL. Has any one else heard of this with the PreSonus ? Maybe PreSonus uses more of the Wifi bandwith than Mackie and/or doesnt do error correction as well. Or possibly the first router was just flakey.
Title: Re: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: RoadRanger on April 01, 2013, 03:49:24 PM
Speaking of non-Apple routers - one of the reasons that I went with the Express (besides being able to use Airplay) is that a friend has a couple of PreSonus boards and he was not able to get a reliable connection to the iPad until he switched to Apple routers.  I figured that this was probably an Apple iPad/MacBook idiosyncrasy that was best avoided by buying one of their overpriced routers, but apparantly its not a problem with the DL. Has any one else heard of this with the PreSonus ? Maybe PreSonus uses more of the Wifi bandwith than Mackie and/or doesnt do error correction as well. Or possibly the first router was just flakey.
Many routers don't deal well with having nothing connected to the WAN port.
Title: Re: FAQ: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: nottooloud on May 13, 2013, 07:54:38 PM
Took me quite a while to realize that you need to power cycle the DL1608 after connecting it to a router. It must pick some ip address of its own on powerup. My iPads could see it but not talk to it.
Title: Re: FAQ: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: Ram on May 13, 2013, 09:31:13 PM
TheVIPea,
Did you get your issue resolved of connecting wirelessly to dl1608?
Is so, let me know what you did to fix.

I had a session, and myIphone Myfader disconnected consistently  after staying connected for 20 seconds.
Anyone else has any suggestions? I used Airport Express (second generation - the latest)
I was not brave enough to disconnect the Ipad from DL1608 to try it out for wireless (Anyways I was recording the session in Ipad)

-Ram
Title: Re: FAQ: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: Ram on May 18, 2013, 05:05:05 PM
I was hoping someone will respond to my issue...

Anyways, let me explain this:
The Airportexpress is connected to my DL1608, and Master Fader worked Ok on docked IPad.
The myfader on my iphone connects and works but loses connection in 20 seconds, and need a reconnection.
The Airport Express has blinking amber. Is it normal? (I suppose so -since the internet is not connected to the WAN)
Should I turn off (in my Iphone) the Settings/General/Celluar to off -- to help my situation?
The Airplay gets connected OK but drops.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.
Title: Re: FAQ: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: nottooloud on May 18, 2013, 07:12:27 PM
If it's the old Airport Express, it's not a great choice for a DL router. Here's some tips.

http://www.mackie.com/products/dlseries/downloads/support/DL1608_Old_AirPort_Express_Setup.pdf

Title: Re: FAQ: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: Ram on May 18, 2013, 08:01:07 PM
No, it is the latest Airport Express!
-Ram
Title: Re: FAQ: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: Topsøe on May 18, 2013, 10:47:32 PM
You should set up the router with no WAN
Title: Re: FAQ: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: Ram on May 19, 2013, 05:19:27 PM
Thanks!
Is there a different setup of airport express I must follow- if I don't use the WAN?

I use the WAN at home (from another router at home)- so that I connect to internet thru this airport express at home.
I take the airport express as such to my sound venue to connect to DL1608 for wireless Myfader access.
I had thought that it would work seamlessly- and I don't need to change the airport setup differently.

So my question is what do I need to change in the configuration of the airport express- if I don't have anything connected to WAN at my sound venue.

Thanks.

-Ram
Title: Re: FAQ: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: Pienuts on May 29, 2013, 04:32:34 PM
Is there a way to connect your iPhone to the DL through wifi but keep internet available through 3G? It seems like something which should be possible...
Title: Re: FAQ: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: nottooloud on June 13, 2013, 01:12:28 AM
Is there a way to connect your iPhone to the DL through wifi but keep internet available through 3G? It seems like something which should be possible...
iOs is designed to prefer wifi data so as not to burn cellular data that people pay for by the MB.
Title: Re: FAQ: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: Pienuts on June 13, 2013, 05:51:14 PM
I get that it's designed that way by default; I was wondering if there were any hidden settings somewhere which might make it possible.
Does nobody else have the problem of not being able to freely access the internet from devices connected to the DL? Or are we all just resigned to dealing with it?
Title: Re: FAQ: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: stevegarris on June 13, 2013, 08:27:20 PM
I used this utility to set mine up, with the help of Mackie phone support. I don't know if this pertains to your issue, but I now get a steady green light when my Airport Express boots up:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/airport-utility/id427276530?mt=8
Title: Re: FAQ: Routers and Wireless Operation
Post by: Pienuts on June 13, 2013, 09:13:33 PM
I haven't been able to test this yet, but I found this answer from
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16567046#16567046 (https://discussions.apple.com/message/16567046#16567046) :

"1. Connect to what you need to over WiFi (I did it for iPad 2 AirPlay mirroring to Apple TV).
 
2. Go to iPad's WiFi settings and tap on the ">" button to the right of the Router's name (SSID) to get to detailed settings.
 
3. Remember IP Address and Mask for DHCP tab, then tap on the Static tab and enter the same data in two 1st lines.


Now connect over 3G - all is working.

Explanation:

All WiFi settings are neded in order for Apple devices to see each other over WiFi and initiate connection. Then only ip is needed to continue exchanging the data. With static configuration not having router/DNS info, iPad can't use WiFi for internet, so it goes over 3G."

As soon as I can confirm, I'll let you guys know. Unless someone can do it sooner!  ;)