Sonicorbiter - The Operating System

[vortecjr]

DESCRIPTION

Sonicorbiter is the name of the operating system we developed for use on the Sonore Rendu series, and on the SGC Transporter series. The foundation of the operating system is Fedora Linux which works mostly out of site in the background. On top of this base, we have added our own proprietary software to allow access, configuration, control, and updates.

 

ACCESS

Since your network could have several compatible devices active at any given time we developed a simple way to find them and access them via your browser. You simply enter www.sonicorbiter.com and the resulting webpage will display all the compatible Music Severs and devices found on your network. Under Music Severs you might find a sonicTransporter and SonicTransporter AP. Under Network Renderer you might find a microRendu, ultraRendu, or opticalRendu. You select the unit you want to manage and the corresponding graphical user interface (GUI) for that device opens up automatically. This is an example of www.sonicorbiter.com.

 

 

CONFIGURATION

From the Rendu go to Settings for the output protocols you want to use and configure things like the type of DSD format your DAC supports. From a compatible Music Severs you can configure local playback and database options. For your convenience we have default settings that should work most of the time right out of the box.

 

CONTROL

From a compatible Music Sever you can control which server is active. From a compatible Network Renderer you can control which output protocol is active. For your convenience, the default music server is Roon Server and the default output protocol is RoonReady. Other combinations are Logitech Media Server / SqueezeLite, MinimServer / DLNA-MPD, etc. T

 

Updates

The operating system was designed to be easily adaptable to the needs of a particular design. Each compatible devices can be updated by the press of a button from a Software Manager section. From this section, you can also install and uninstall applications as needed. This is an example of the Software Manager.

 

 

 

 

 

[vortecjr]

Configuring Roon Server running headless on your sonicTransporter i5

Prerequisites: Your DAC is on and connected to your microRendu / Sonicorbiter SE. The microRendu / Sonicorbiter SE is set to RoonReady output mode.

 

1. Start Roon Server on your computer and go to Settings / General and press Disconnect.

 

 

2. Under Choose your Core select the sonicTransporter by clicking on Connect.

 

 

3. Under Where do you keep you music? select Next.

 

 

4. Under Add streaming music select the best options.

 

 

5. At the bottom of Roon select Manage Audio Devices.

 

 

6. Under Networked locate the Sonore microRendu / Sonicorbiter SE and select Enable (this option will not show up if your DAC is not connected to the microRendu and both units are powered on).

 

 

7. Go to Settings / Storage and Storage and select the best options.

 

 

8. Enjoy Roon / RoonReady

[vortecjr]

Configuring Logitech Media Server running on your sonicTransporter i5

Prerequisites: Your DAC is on and connected to your microRendu / Sonicorbiter SE. The microRendu / Sonicorbiter SE is set to SqueezeLite output mode. You have a drive mounted on the unit. Click here for a tutorial on how to mount a drive on the unit: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f26-sonore-sponsored/sonicorbiter-drive-mounter-101-a-27417/

 

1. Go to MySonicorbiter via your browser and under Network Servers / sonicTransporter click on Manage.

 

 

2. Go to Apps and click on Squeeze Box Server.

 

 

3. At the top right corner of Squeeze Box Server. select Choose Player drop down and select your microRendu / Sonicorbiter SE.

 

 

4. Enjoy Logitech Media Server / SqueezeLite

[vortecjr]

Configuring MinimServer on your sonicTransporter i5

Prerequisites: Your DAC is on and connected to your microRendu / Sonicorbiter SE. The microRendu / Sonicorbiter SE is set to MPD/DLNA output mode. Click here for a tutorial on how to set up MDP/DLNA on the microRendu / Sonicorbiter SE. http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f26-sonore-sponsored/sonicorbiter-tidal-qobuz-setup-openhome-28520/. You have a drive mounted on the unit. Click here for a tutorial on how to mount a drive on the unit: MySonicorbiter

 

1. Go to http://www.mysonicorbiter.com via your browser and under Network Servers / sonicTransporter click on Manage.

 

 

2. Go to Apps / Software Manager / Available Apps and select MinimServer.

 

 

3. Go to Apps / MinimServer Admin and select Confirm. Do not put anything in the content directory because the unit is already configured to look at the music folder on the unit. You can select Rescan when new content is added to your library.

 

 

4. Enjoy MinimServer / MPD-DLNA

[vortecjr]

Special Note:

 

The Sonicorbiter 2.3 operating system utilized on the microRendu is approaching the end of it's development cycle. This means that we will continue to maintain the operating system for general functionality only. However, we will no longer provide application updates and new features going forward. There is no need to update to the next version right away, but we recommend that you consider it at some point in the near future.  

 

In order to better serve you we have been developing the Sonicorbiter 2.5 operating system which has the following new features and enhancements:

1. The base operating system and Kernel has been updated. 

2. All the pre-configured applications have been updated to the latest release versions and or stable versions.

3. DSD playback now supports Native DSD with POP free PCM/DSD transitions.

4. New devices have been added that support Native DSD playback.

5. Spotify Connect has been added as a new output mode. This new output mode can be controlled by your computer or tablet running the Spotify application. The application can be installed and uninstalled from Software Manager. This application is based on librespot - an open source client library for Spotify. The application is in Beta form.

6. A SongCast receiver has been added to the existing MPD/DLNA output mode. This new output mode accept streams from your computer running Linn Songcast. The application can be installed and uninstalled from the Software manager. The application is in Beta form.

7. This version also contains other bug fixes and enhancements.

 

Sonicorbiter 2.5 will be available soon pre-loaded on a microSD card. The microSD cards will be made available to existing customers for purchase for 20 USD. Emails with purchasing instructions will go out to customer in the coming weeks with a link to purchase the upgrade. The microRendu will be shipping with Sonicorbiter 2.5 operating system. If you purchased a microRendu in the last 30 days we will provide a microSD card in the mail with Sonicorbiter 2.5 for free.

[vortecjr]

6 hours ago, Em2016 said:

 

Nice JR! So it was SongCast that you were working on (for PC audio streaming - Beta mode). This means a latency of 50ms ? Or was it able to be reduced by having an app on the microRendu?

There is latency, but i'm not sure of the exact time. You can adjust the latency from your computer, but it can cause issues like static. Now that it's working and relatively stable we can continue work on it.

[vortecjr]

4 hours ago, rickca said:

That's great, Jesus.  I just never figured I'd have to update in this manner.  Isn't it possible to somehow download Sonicorbiter 2.5 and overwrite the existing microSD card (after making a backup)?  Did you decide that there was too much potential for us to screw this up? 

Generally, the updates are from the web interface. However, we want this update to be plug n play. 

[vortecjr]

1 hour ago, R1200CL said:

 

Will we get an email in any case, or do we have to email you first ?

Can't we just order from your site ?

Will there be additional fright cost outside US ?

What about the SonicTransporter ?

Can we expect any sonic upgrade ?

 

We will be sending emails to our customers with instructions for purchase. sonicTransporter has its own development cycle and notification process. The notice above is for the microRendu only. We try not to get into expectations:)

[vortecjr]

13 hours ago, MrUnderhill said:

Hi Jesus,

 

What version of Squeezelite will be in Sonicorbiter 2.5?

 

Thx

I'm not ready to disclose that, but I know what you are looking for and you should be fine. 

[vortecjr]

12 hours ago, miguelito said:

Could you make an image available please? I have made backups of the card by creating an image on my computer that I can write back to the card(s). I have a second card that I have imaged this way and works perfectly.

We are just going to offering the micro SD card for purchase.  

[vortecjr]

12 hours ago, Al Jones said:

Jesus,

Items 3 through 6 on your list of new features and enhancements are of no use to me, so the question of improved sound quality or some other benefit is relevant.

 

Also, as the owner of two microRendu, do I have to pay for each one?

I prefer not to get into sound quality comparisons. Yes...each micro SD card will be a separate purchase. 

[vortecjr]

12 hours ago, Em2016 said:

 

Sounds like a plan.

 

Btw I've tried Linn SongCast and the 50ms latency (the lowest setting available) still makes watching videos (like YouTube, Netflix etc) unpleasant with the lag between sound and picture. So there is definitely room for improvement but good to know you will be slowly chipping away at it.

 

Congrats and thanks :-)

Understood, but remember this isn't an audio / video project.

[vortecjr]

10 hours ago, André Gosselin said:

Will the existing app settings on the microrendu be preserved after the switch to the new SD card, or will they have to be reentered by hand ?

No. The new micro SD card will be configured for RoonReady by default. If you want to use any of the other output modes just go to Settings and select the output mode you want and press Save.  

[vortecjr]

6 hours ago, k-man said:

As an International customer, I also agree. Purchasing an image would be a better experience for me, but unfortunately I don't think that's an option unless the majority of mR users request this. No point for me to moan more, as I tend to stick with the same software until the applications get broken (eg. Roon core/HQPlayer updates).

We are making the micro SD cards available to our patterns in the UK and AU.

[vortecjr]

6 hours ago, miguelito said:

What sample rates/bit depths are supported by this SongCast implementation?

Just what the Songcast Application running on your computer sends to the receiver...16/44.1.

[vortecjr]

1 hour ago, R1200CL said:

 

What I'm saying is that you pay between 0 and 20, and based on that you get access to the image. 

 

I think for that price most of us will respect the "IP", and not share the image.

 

He can do a clever twist and offer a download for a limited time or price like $10, and to those that those like the card in mail, they just pay the $20.

 

But I suspect the $20 is meant to only cover the SD card and possible some freight and/or labor.

Which bring us back to just being offered the image as a download. 

But as to avoid some reverse engineering or cracking the admin PW (protect IP), he may like to make the download personally, which may take some effort to accomplish. I don't know. 

 

Actually I be rather more attempt to make the image public myself, if he is just that paranoid about protect the IP, and only like to use mail. As said anyone can take the present image and make public if they like. 

 

I'm saying this cause SGC was very reluctant helping me earlier with a new SSD to my SonicTransporter. And I was never given a reason for why I could not purchase a SSD with the SonicOrbiter installed, but requested to ship my whole unit back to the US from Norway.

If I had the necessary Linux skills, I might find a way to install a clone of SonicOrbiter from a small SSD to a bigger one, but I don't think its that simple. 

 

Well I hope soon we get an proper answer. 

You are over thinking this...this is not a DIY project. Our philosophy is to make this as simple and efficient as possible. We are looking for a turn key solution...pop out the old card and insert the new one and your are done. 

[vortecjr]

1 hour ago, jhwalker said:

 

I think folks are wanting your "goodness" quicker and potentially saving the $20.

 

Personally, I'm fine with the SD care distribution (though I'd prefer the free download option!), but a bit disappointed the fix for the native DSD "pop" at the beginning of playback was not bundled into the existing 2.3 distribution - that's really the only feature I'm really pining for!

That fix pretty much forced the 2.5 upgrade. 

[vortecjr]

1 hour ago, André Gosselin said:

Jesus,

My question was an honest one. There may not be a ton of settings in the microrendu setup, but there are more than just the choice of the output mode as you seem to say. For ex., on the Sonore UPnPBridge Settings page, I see four different settings:

- Player name

- Renderer name

- Max sample rate

- Output format

On the Squeezelite Settings page, I see even more :

- Player name

- Audio device

- Buffer size

- Period count

- etc...

On the Localization Setings page :

- Time zone

- Language

 

You just wrote :

 

Again, there may not be that many settings in the microrendu setup, but IMHO some consideration has to be given to the config of users upgrading from 2.3 to 2.5 version if you want to make it "as simple and efficient as possible", and I do not think my concern is silly.

 

So, would you allow me to raise the question again ?

 

Regards,

My comment about making it simple and efficient is about the upgrade itself. I feel your pain...you might have to press a few buttons that will take you all of 20 seconds. 

[vortecjr]

24 minutes ago, R1200CL said:

 

Are you OK with if someone make a copy and offer an image to those of us that like to save the freight cost ? Or just prefer to use his own card. 

 

As as long as you don't get any support issues etc. and this thread is not filled with issues around how to do what etc. 

No one is authorized to distribute our operating system except for our partners that we have given the micro SD cards to. If I find your suggestion being carried out I will suspend the upgrade offer. 

[vortecjr]

7 hours ago, earnmyturns said:

As another 2 microRendu owner, I'm with André totally. Jesus, it's not 20 seconds. First of all, we have to go figure out all the configurations selections we made since we had our microRendus. I for one can't remember, and the microRendu does not offer a simple way to summarize and save those settings. It's not the 20 bucks/microRendu, it's the hassle and your surprising lack of customer orientation that we are pointing out. Frankly, I expected more from Sonore and you given my previous excellent experiences.

I just went through some of the Settings pages on my unit and for the most part you pick DoP or native DSD and press Save. On RoonReady you have a selection for Volume as well. Spotify Connect has no selections to make so you just press save. NAA doesn't have a Settings page so nothing to do there. SqueezeLIte has a bunch of options, but generally I don't recommend that people mess with them so you select DoP or native DSD and press Save. You may have a few more things to do, but this is the basic process.       

 

[vortecjr]

7 hours ago, miguelito said:

I had the impression that SongCast (a Linn protocol) allowed for high-res streaming.

I can't get it to stream hi-res as-is. It might be open source and someone could play around with it. However, the sound quality is similar to Airplay/Shairport and not worth the effort in my opinion.  

[vortecjr]

1 hour ago, Nikko1960 said:

 

Let's just noodle on this shall we?

 

"I prefer not to get into sound quality comparisons".

 

I could see your point if someone was asking you for a comparison with a competing product, but here we're asking for a comparison between two generations of the same product, both of which come from you.  You sell a product that is all about *enhancing sound quality* FFS! Can't you see how absurd, bordering on contemptuous of your customers, this statement is??

Anyone who knows me knows I don't tell them what the should or should not hear. The Shairport and Songcast output protocols have protocol limitations that affect the sound quality no matter how incredible the hardware they run on is. The other output protocols have newer and more stable versions and that is what we have updated to. Feedback on them will very as usual and no need to inject my opinion into the mix. 

[vortecjr]

2 hours ago, R1200CL said:

 

Just delete it. If you for any reason need it, it will be available under the available apps. 

 

I just deleted mine, just so you can be sure my advice is valid ?

I had not thought of that work around. 

[vortecjr]

7 hours ago, R1200CL said:

Jesus

 

Is the $20 including shipping cost world wide ?

If no, what is estimated shipping cost ?

 

I don't need these new functionality, but I don't mind spend those $20, as I suspect it will benefit future updates. 

 

 

It's going to be a flat rate world wide. 

[vortecjr]

12 hours ago, Confused said:

With respect to sound quality and the $20 update, I think there is a different question to ask.  Is there anything in the updates that may have an impact on sound quality, or more specifically, anything included in the updates with the specific aim of potentially improving sound quality?

 

Alternatively, are all the update simply adding new features, compatibility, bug fixes and so on, and any sound quality changes merely resultant form this and unintentional?

That is a loaded question. I can tell you there is nothing intentionally done to make it worse:) These applications are maintained by very highly skilled people and IMO their commitment is generally to make things better and more stable. We have been testing here and we are pleased with the results.