How Does It Work?

Music4Uonline has been designed by GMS Music to offer a simple, low cost music system for businesses. Music4Uonline requires an onsite 'player' (i.e. a PC or other Windows machine), on which to run. If you have an appropriate machine, you can use this. If not, we can supply one. In recognition of these two options, this page has walkthroughs of what will happen in each case. If you don't have broadband, ask about our CD-updated musicPro systems.

The page is divided into three sections:

• A brief introduction to the technology behind music4Uonline.
• A walkthrough for clients using their own machine.
• A walkthrough for clients purchasing a machine from us.

The Technology Behind Music4Uonline

From a client's perspective, music4Uonline is made up of four components:

• The 'Player' - onsite PC or other platform
• The 'GMS Media Player' - the software
• The 'Sound System' - onsite amplifier and speakers
• The 'Control Centre' - the music4Uonline website

The Player
Music4Uonline runs on an ordinary Windows machine. This means that it can be installed on your own PC or EPOS system. Alternatively, we can supply a machine for your use. In order to receive updates of new music, the machine must have access to a broadband connection at least once a month. It must also have a soundcard (internal or external, e.g. USB) to connect to the sound system.

The GMS Media Player
This is our downloadable software, which allows an ordinary PC or EPOS system to become an advanced music system. It uses Windows Media Player and Microsoft .net technology. The GMS Media Player controls downloads, organises playlists and has standard skip, pause etc. controls. It also has more advanced functionality allowing you to save local playlists for instant inclusion when required.

The Sound System
The audio equipment required to use music4Uonline is no different to that for a CD-player. In order to play music in your site, you must have speakers. These must be connected to an amplifier. The Player can then be connected to this amplifier via its soundcard. It is the quality of your amplifier and speakers that will affect the quality of the music in your site.

The Control Centre
The music4Uonline website is where your music profile is managed. Within the site, you will find a range of tools to assist you in this activity. You can add playlists created by our studio team. You can search the database for particular tracks or artists. You can track your downloads, check what music has played in your site(s) and much more. To get a feel for the functionality available, try our free trial.

In order to ensure the security of your machine, downloads operate on a 'pull' basis. This means that our server can never 'push' anything into your machine. Your machine will only receive music when it contacts our server to ask for an update. In addition, our software is programmed only to accept music files and playlist files from the server. Finally, we have anti-virus software installed on the server.

Using Your Own Machine

You must first have a music4Uonline account. To get your login, either sign-up on this website, or contact us directly.

1. Login to the music4Uonline website using your unique username and password
2. Read the instructions on the Welcome page.
3. Download the GMS Media Player using the 'Download Player' button.
4. Your machine will probably already have Microsoft .net and Windows Media Player installed. If not, you will be asked to install these now. Links to both (free) downloads can be found back on the music4Uonline Welcome page.
5. Follow the installation procedure for the GMS Media Player. If the related software (see point 4) was already installed, this should start automatically. If not, use the GMSPlayerSetup icon that you will now find on your desktop.
6. When you signed up, you will have been asked to tell us what type of business you are, e.g. 'City Centre Bar', 'Fine Dining Restaurant', 'Fashion Retail' etc. This allows the system to automatically assign you an appropriate playlist. If you intend to let us manage your music, you can now start your GMS Media Player. Skip to step 9.
7. If you are planning to control your own music, click the 'next page' button at the bottom of the Welcome Page. When you are on the Editing Client page, click the 'here' button at the bottom of that page. Once this button is clicked, you are in control of your own profile.
8. The Editing Client page will reload with some extra buttons. The 'Edit Profile' button gives you access to the Profile Editor. If you have any questions on its usage, please get in touch. Once you have set-up your profile, you can start your GMS Media Player.
9. Your player will automatically begin downloading your music. As soon as it has two tracks, it will start playing. The download will continue until all of the music has been pulled down. In order to hear the music, you must now connect your PC to your sound system. Depending on the connectors on your soundcard and amplifier, you will probably need either a 'mini-jack to mini-jack' or 'mini-jack to phono' audio lead. We can supply these, or they can be purchased in stores like Currys and Maplin for £5-£10 depending on the length required. You may even be able to use the lead that you were already using. If you have any questions, we would be happy to answer them.
10. Once this is done (assuming that your amplifier is connected to your speakers!), you will now be able to hear music. If you cannot hear music for any reason, please call us on the helpline. This number can be found on your original welcome email, or in the top right-hand corner of the music4Uonline website after logging in (pre-login the number is our ordinary office number).

Using a Machine Supplied By Us

You must first have a music4Uonline account. To get your login, you could sign-up on this website. If you are discussing the purchase of equipment with us, however, we can set-up the account for you when you contact us.

1. When you purchase a machine from us, there are two ways that it could arrive. Generally, it will be sent directly to your site by courier. If we are carrying out installation work for you, our engineers may bring the machine with them.
2. If we are carrying out the installation, you will not need to get involved. Our engineers will connect the machine and check that it is working before leaving the site.
3. If you are installing a machine provided by us, this is an extremely simple process. You only need to connect it to the broadband and the amplifier. Depending on the connectors on your soundcard and amplifier, you will probably need either a 'mini-jack to mini-jack' or 'mini-jack to phono' audio lead. We can supply these, or they can be purchased in stores like Currys and Maplin for £5-£10 depending on the length required. You may even be able to use the lead that you were already using to play music. If you have any questions, we would be happy to answer them.
4. The method of starting the player will depend on whether or not the machine is a 'blind box'. A 'blind box' will have no screen, keyboard or mouse. The only method of control onsite is the power button. The player will automatically start (after a short delay) when the machine is started. If you do not hear music playing within five minutes of turning the machine on, please call us on the helpline. You will find this number on the front of your machine.
5. The machine is not a 'blind box' if it is to be connected to a screen, keyboard and mouse. These can either be provided with the machine, or you can supply your own. You will see a 'GMS Media Player' icon on the machine's desktop. Clicking on this will start the player. If the player shows that it is playing, but you cannot hear music, check the connection to the amplifier. If you still cannot hear music, please call us on the helpline. You will find this number on the front of your machine.