Raspberry Pi troubleshooting and configuration instructions for complete f'ing morons

The Raspberry Pi (RPi) is the mini computer used in the Pi2AES and other streamers. There are often a lot of issues with configuring the RPi with various software and troubleshooting problems that come up with the software or network issues. So far these questions get dumped in the Pi2AES thread (I'm very guilty of this) but it really has nothing to do with the Pi2AES, which is a module for outputting audio out of the RPi.

So this thread is going to hopefully serve as a troubleshootign help thread for UPNP issues, RPi issues, software setup issues, and network issues.

I'm going to include guides to setup each of the popular programs to run on the Pi2AES in the beginning, which I will need someone with experience to write for me. so pm me if you have this knowledge and can write up a setup guide that is very simple and designed for people with zero tech knowledge. and I will add it to this thread.

Then the rest will be open to help and questions.

Advice on choosing which software

Moode

Volumio

Ropiee

• Recommend if you are using Roon

 

Moode configuration instructions for complete f'ing morons
WIP
(Guide by @ChaChaRealSmooth, editing @rhythmdevils post with permission. This is not perfect and feel free to chime in)

1. You'll need to download 2 things: the first being Moode itself, and the second being the Raspberry Pi Imager. For the Raspberry Pi Imager, please ensure to download the correct version based on your PC's OS.​

2. From here, you will need to unzip the files. You can either use Windows to do this for you, or something like 7zip. PLEASE TAKE CAREFUL NOTE OF THE EXACT LOCATION OF WHERE YOU UNIZPPED THE MOODE FILE IN PARTICULAR!​

3. Plug the microSD into your PC and run the Raspberry Pi Imager. This is what it will look like (keep in mind your version may be different, that is not important):​

4. Click on "Choose Device." You're going to want to ensure that you choose the CORRECT Raspberry Pi device in the box under "Raspberry Pi Device". If you're setting up a Pi2AES, you're likely running a Pi 3 or Pi 4. Either way, this is stated on the box and pick the right one.

5. Click on "Operating System." Scroll all the way down in the menu until you hit this option:​

6. This is where you will need to remember where you unzipped the Moode file. It will look something like this when you click on "Use Custom" and then find the file (your exact file name will vary depending on which version of Moode is downloaded):​

7. Lastly, click on "Choose Storage" in the Raspberry Pi Imager. Please make sure you select the microSD card you are trying to write to and NOT one of your actual storage drives on your PC! Making a mistake here WILL WIPE YOUR DATA. After this, click next on the Raspberry Pi Imager, where you'll be greeted with this:​

Now, you can simply just hit "no" and proceed to write the OS onto the SD card. If you're more savvy, you can edit the settings which will pull you to this menu:
​

You don't have to worry too much about any other tab other than general. Here, set the hostname (the name of the Pi itself) and then set your username and password. Write this down somewhere.

8. Regardless of whether or not you chose to apply custom settings, the Raspberry Pi Imager will then tell you all data will be erased from the storage device. This is why it is important to make sure the device selected is the SD card for the Pi. Hit yes, and wait a bit for the installer to finish.

9. Now, plug the SD card into the slot of your Pi. It will be on the underside like so:​

10. Now, you plug in your power supply and an ethernet cable from your router to your Pi. The latter is important for initial setup, and if you want to use the Pi wirelessly don't worry, we're getting there. The Pi should automatically turn on when the power supply is connected.

11. You'll need some way to see what's connected to your network. I used my Asus router app to tell me. Fing also works pretty well. Either way, the Pi should be called "Moode" and it will give you its IP address. Write down the IP address for your Pi and save it.

12. Type in the Pi's IP address in a web browser on a device connected to your home network. You should come up to the Moode UI. It will look something like this (mine is all set up, but it'll at least give you an idea:​

13. Click the lower case "m" on the upper right of the screen. It will bring up a menu, where you'll need to click on "configure." Now click on "network." Here, you can see your IP address through ethernet, and also set up the wireless mode here. Connect your Pi to the network here and again, keep note of the IP address. If you wish to use your Pi wirelessly, this wireless IP address is the one you'll need to type in the web browser in the future, so don't lose it.

14a. Now, if you have a storage on your network, what you'll need to do is get your Pi to see it. Go click the lower case "m" on the upper right again, and click "Library." Click on "create" next to "music source." You're going to have to know how your music storage is set, and type it in according with the name if NFS, or ID and password if SMD. After this, click the house icon on the upper left of the screen, click the "m," and click on "refresh library." IF everything went well here, you should see your network music.

14b. If you are like me, you have an external drive of some sort to keep your music for the Pi. This is easy, you just plug it in via USB. The Pi should see it.

15. Either way you did step 14, click on the big album cover on the right side of the home "Moode" screen. It will bring you to an alternative view of your library. On the upper left, you will see the word "Library." Click on this and select one of the options to change the UI view. I prefer the "tag" option, but this is dealer's choice:​

16. To add all your music in this view to the playlist, simply click the word "genre." The bottom left "Moode" icon should say "Music Collection." Click on it and there should be an option to play it. Hit "add." Congratulations, you added all your music to the playlist and can enjoy your Pi!
​

Extra Step For Pi2AES Users:

If you use Pi2AES, you'll need to do one more thing before sound will come out. Go click on the "m" on the upper right again and hit "configure." Now after that, hit "audio." Use these screenshot settings UNLESS YOU KNOW FOR SURE WHAT SETTING YOU NEED:


And that's it! You have a functioning Pi2AES.​

 

Volumio configuration instructions for complete f'ing morons

 

Ropiee configuration instructions for complete f'ing morons

suggested setup guide

 

PiCore configuration instructions for complete f'ing morons

 

reserved

 

I'll start this off with a troubleshooting question for one of my Pi2AES.

My speakers Pi2AES just stopped working all of a sudden, And it was the more dependable Pi2AES, not needing a reset much at all unlike my headphones Pi2AES.

Rebooting didn't help, so I re-flashed Moode from a fresh download. None of the generic IP addresses showed up. For some reason you all get a nice RPI symbol in Fing, I do not I just get a bunch of generic IP addresses and have to try to load each one until Moode loads with one of them

so none of them loaded Moode. I re flashed the card again, none of them loaded Moode.

I reflashed it a third time, and none of them loaded Moode.

then I tried flashing Ropiee. None of the IP addresses loaded.

then I reset my router, bought new SD cards and flashed Moode onto it.

None of the IP addresses load.

I'm at a loss at this point.

 

Did you try checking the power yet?

 

Can you plug them into monitor?

 

Hi @rhythmdevils I really like the intention of this.. just wanted to add a few suggestions. They're based around the idea you want reusable tips and community involvement rather than a sequence of one-off troubleshooting exchanges.

First, almost everything you wrote about Pi2AES is valid for a whole range of other audio HATs for Raspberry Pi. Since the Pi2AES uses common settings, most of the setup will be identical and should probably be covered in the same place and mentioned in the description to cultivate participation. There are differences, but they are unlikely to be a sticking point for the target audience.

Second, unfortunately there may be significant differences in instructions depending on which Raspberry Pi (or other Single Board Computer) you use.

You might consider breaking the instructions into two parts.

Part A to setup the Pi and its software for USB output (download appropriate software, burn it to media, configure network, music library etc). You'll get the basics working, and in my experience, that might be enough. USB is a great option for Mobius and likely other DACs - no HAT is required.

Part B to configure the audio HAT and output. Part B will actually be almost automatic for some setups where the hardware identifies itself and the software auto configures, like HiFiBerry HATs on Ropieee. At the other extreme, it'll be much more fiddly for other situations like using I2S.

Third, I'd suggest you provide some guidance on choosing from the bewildering range of software options available. An easy example - if someone already uses Roon they should use Ropieee.

 

One minor note - I2S from the PI2AES has no different setup than any other output from the PI2AES. Once the PI2AES is running, all outputs, including I2S, are on automatically.

 

I don't even know enough about this to understand most of your advice. But I did add a part in the first post for advice on which software to choose.

I will need the help of experienced, knowledge people here to turn this into a useful thread but I'm hoping with time, people will write setup guides for each program. that would make the Pi2AES much more accessible to everyone and avoid a lot of repetitive questions.

So if you have a minute, and know one of these programs, write up a VERY BASIC setup guide. In layman's terms. ie. click here, check this, copy this, turn on this here, etc. I'll give you credit for writing it, with your @username at the top

thank you!

 

Should probably also include Rune (not related to Roon)

https://www.runeaudio.com/

 

Yes, however the rest of the i2s system setup gets fiddly for some..!

 

So you want to use a Raspberry Pi to send audio to your DAC. The first thing you should know is that because a Pi is a computer, and because your DAC has multiple inputs, there are many, many ways to make it work. Aside from the connections, there are options about extra audio hardware and the software you use and how it is configured. You may also need to consider backing up the software occasionally. You should expect to encounter the same sort of problems you encounter with any other computer, like its behavior unexpectedly changing or it providing a security vulnerability in your home computer network. There are plenty of other audio options that don't have these drawbacks, so be sure this is the path you want to follow.


Before getting into any specific setup, here are some things to figure out because they'll influence your setup:

* Where will the music be stored? Will it be on the Pi, elsewhere on your home network, or streamed from the cloud (Tidal Spotify etc)

* How will the music be controlled? Will it be by your phone, via a remote control, via a screen on the Pi itself? You can have one or multiple of these.

* Will the Pi be connected to the network via WiFi, an ethernet cable, or not at all?

* How will you connect to your DAC? If possible, start with USB as the setup is simplest. Most other connection types require an expansion HArdware on Top (HAT) audio board as well as appropriate cables.


If you don't already have a Pi, you should know that there are a lot of different models. Older Pi's and Pi Zero (original) make setup harder and won't be discussed here. Here are the 3 main options:

Pi Zero 2 W. This is a great and inexpensive option if you want to connect to your DAC via USB. It's new and is likely to work with all mainstream software, however that's not confirmed. You'll need a Micro USB OTG cable to make the connection work. If you want to use an Audio board on top (HAT), you'll need the 'H' variation of the Pi with expansion pins. You'll also need an adapter if you want HDMI video output, and a hub if you want to attach a keyboard or USB drive in addition to your USB DAC.

Pi 3 This is a full size Pi with 4 USB ports, full sized HDMI, a slot for a display connector and header pins for an expansion audio board on top (HAT).

Pi 4 This is the top of the line model, a slightly more powerful full size Pi with 4 USB ports including high speed ports good for USB drives. It needs an adapter for HDMI cables, and can connect a local display. It's available in different memory sizes -- for almost all users, the most basic memory should be totally sufficient.

All these Pi's require a memory card for their software. Traditionally, a micro SD card has been used. Some Pi's can be booted from USB drives which are generally faster and cheaper.

All of these Pi's are sold as raw boards. You'll also want a power supply and likely a case. Pi Zero's don't require much power, but Pi3's and 4's can have problems working reliably from regular USB power supplies like phone chargers, power boards and computer USB. Aside from reliability, some people claim the type of USB power supply has an impact on the audio output.

 

I'd like to add that Pi3's Ethernet is controlled by the USB chipset, limiting the total combined bandwidth to 300Mbps, so if you (like me) have a USB hard drive connected to the pi and are transferring files to it over Ethernet, you will be bottlenecked to about 150Mbp, or about 18MB/s, but due to overhead I usually only get 11-12MB/s. For comparison this same drive connected to my PC gets about 150MB/s.

Pi4 does not have this limitation. It has Gigabit ethernet (1000Mbps) and USB 3.0 (limited to 4000Mbps)

Since this thread is for "complete f'ing morons":

Mb is megabit, or 1000 bits.
MB is megabyte, or 8000 bits

Your internet is usually measured in bits and your computer files are usually measured in bytes.

 

@LetMeBeFrank - While the ethernet limitations are true, I also don't think it's a bottleneck for dedicated music streaming.

@Woland - You didn't mention the RPi A boards, which are perfectly fine for streaming

One other thing to consider with the Pi4 is that the manufacturers have admitted that it runs rather hot and now sell an official case with a fan. If you are looking for a passively cooled compact system, you might want to forego the unnecessary power of the RPi4 and just stick with the RPi3 or the newer RPi zero.

 

True, the bandwidth of the Ethernet/USB is way more than enough for streaming. I just wanted to mention a technical limitation I encountered with my storage hooked up directly.

 

They do mention the possibility of getting hot, but remember they are talking about a wide range of applications including multimedia and GPU usage. For an audio streamer it gets warm, but not overly so. And there are well documented tweaks to reduce it even further when using it for audio streaming.

 

Here's a very basic pi streamer. It works really well for a DAC that has good USB connectivity (eg Unison USB)

The green board is a Pi Zero W H. The W means it supports WiFi. The H 'header' pins sticking up can be used for expansion, such as an audio board.
The case is from C4Labs
There's an SD card inserted on the left, loaded with Moode software
The left cable is a USB OTG cable. This specific cable outputs to micro USB, suitable for my Schiit Modi 3. Depending on your DAC's USB socket, you may want a different output connection. Only the Zero needs the OTG cable, the larger Pis have regular USB sockets and use regular USB cables.
The right cable is a regular USB cable for power.