iTunes sync - no, not what you're thinking!

[eyoungren]

I did some cursory looking around with Google yesterday but wasn't in the mood to dig very hard at the time.

Short question: I want to sync playback of iTunes music on more than Mac at a time. Is there any app that will do that?

Explanation: I can stream a music station from one Mac to my BT soundbar and stream the same station from another Mac to my side speakers. Because both Macs are getting the same stream at the same time, everything is synced and there's no issue.

But I know that if I use actual music in my library then I will have a sync problem. As in, the music itself will be out of sync. I can't possibly press PLAY at the same time on both Macs. So whichever one I press PLAY on last is going to be behind the other Mac.

Is there some sort of app where I can control both iTunes on the two different Macs at once so that the music syncs up correctly? Or is there a way to delay one or the other slightly?

I'm just asking here first to see if anyone might now offhand. Trying to get the right term for a Google search is likely a big problem because Google assumes I want to sync libraries, not playback of the same song(s) on two (or more) Macs/devices.

 

[eyoungren]

Hmmmm… a workaround I think.

With the Mini connected to the BT soundbar for 'Computer' I can also stream via Airplay to my MacPro (which is connected to the side speakers). Voila, just use ONE version of iTunes.

Volume control is adjustable together or seperately.

 

[eyoungren]

OK, one other piece. The Remote app from Apple to control iTunes on the SL Mini. This means being able to do all this without having to screen share.



For anyone listening, who says a 2006 Mac Mini is useless?

EDIT. Passed control off to my iPhone 6s+. Another use for that phone (as a controller).

 

[eyoungren]

Found this link today from Apple: https://support.apple.com/guide/aud...ugh-multiple-devices-at-once-ams7c093f372/mac

Allows you set up a multi-output device, which includes all the devices you want to send sound to. Then you just select the multu-output device for your sound output.

This gives me what I need for non-iTunes apps.

 

[bobesch]

I use Airfoil, AirTunes/AirPlay, a bunch of AirPortExpress /w Klinke-AudioOUT for a Multi-Device/Speaker/Room-setting.

 

[eyoungren]

I use Airfoil, AirTunes/AirPlay, a bunch of AirPortExpress /w Klinke-AudioOUT for a Multi-Device/Speaker/Room-setting.

Yeah, I broke down and bought Airfoil today as well.

One thing I have not figured out is a master volume slider for the devices in a group or devices currently playing to. It seems you have to adjust each separately.

Airfoil Satellite is on my MP - but I still have to control the sliders individually.