ST3 and Apple EarPods issue

Damir

Hi Peter, I have an issue with Apple logic when using ST3 to play my music either while walking or pre production work , I like to use the EarPods when prepping my ST3 the problem I have with the Pods is as soon as I touch them to make sure they stay in my ear, MUSIC program starts play on top of my ST3 sound, that’s because the pause play feature does not recognise that I am actually working on ST3, this to me is dumb logic by apple as they assume I am only using MUSIC which I hate.
I spoke to apple and now I am speaking to you regarding this long time frustrating method of operation, I expect to be able to choose which is the default program that the EarPods should work with and I expect the pause play to be available on all software that is currently in use.
I know your hands might be tied here but I think it’s well worth while for you to piss in apples ear to point out the end users frustration and expectations, I want to pause and play ST3 using apple earbuds so when I am walking and enjoying my ST3 playlist and I push my earbuds back in to my ears cause they are poorly designed to stay there , I don’t want to hear MUSIC software start playing a second sound track mixed in with ST3 sound track , this is also an issue on all my devices including my iMac, THIS IS VERY POOR DESIGN BY APPLE.
Hope you have a solution.
Besides DONT USE APPLE EARBUDS 😂
Cheers Damir

peter

An app has to choose a certain music profile when initializing the audio engine. ST3 uses a profile that enables the audio output to be merged with audio from other apps. And this profile disables receiving remote control commands from for example the AirPods. It also disables showing the now playing song on the lock screen.

This is the explanation why it is setup that way:

When you set the AVAudioSession category to playback with the mixWithOthers option in an iOS application, it allows your app to play audio while simultaneously allowing other audio from different sources to play in the background. However, this configuration has implications for how your app interacts with system audio and the Now Playing Center.

The Now Playing Center is designed to showcase information about the currently playing item, typically from a single source, and provide media control capabilities. When you enable the mixWithOthers option, you're essentially telling the system that your app's audio is not the primary focus and can be mixed with other audio sources. As a result, the system may not consider your app's audio as the primary or "Now Playing" audio, especially if another app is already using the audio session without mixWithOthers.

This behavior ensures that when multiple apps are playing audio simultaneously, the Now Playing Center reflects the app that has a more dominant or exclusive audio session, such as an app set to the playback category without mixWithOthers, which typically indicates a desire to be the sole source of audio output.

Damir

peter ST3 uses a profile that enables the audio output to be merged with audio from other apps.

Is that a good idea? I only want a solid reliable sound from ST3 when in use I don’t want any other sounds ever , especially notification sounds or phone ringing sounds other apps music etc, I just want reliable ST3 sound without unexpected audio going through my 6000w pa.

Chemabazan

I also experience the same annoying issue when I connect the car Bluetooth audio to rehearse my songs while driving. Both sources play, and I need to quit the Music app multiple times to hear only ST3 playing, because the Music app keeps on restarting when I pause the audio. Well…

Damir

Chemabazan This is a MAJOR ANNOYANCE that nobody seems to be doing anything to fix , it’s a bad design issue but because Apple only care about their own software and selling their own products and not the end users ease of use of other products a bit like Putin only cares about Himself and Russia and doesn't give a shit about the world.

peter

Yes it is, because I for example often run virtual instruments in parallel to ST3 and that is a pretty common use case. Also running ST3 with Audiobus requires this audio profile. Generally audio apps should run in parallel to other audio apps.

Damir

peter Generally audio apps should run in parallel to other audio apps.

Yes, but not hog the controls of devices when they are not in use , this is bad logic and frustrating user experience.