Raspberry Pi Setup

Optimizing mtrack for Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi Setup

mtrack is designed to run on small devices like the Raspberry Pi, making it perfect for portable live performance setups.

Hardware Requirements

  • Raspberry Pi 4 (2GB+ RAM) - Recommended for best performance
  • Raspberry Pi 3B+ - Works but may have limitations with many tracks
  • Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W - Minimal setup, fewer tracks

Audio Interface

Use a class compliant USB audio interface:

  • MOTU UltraLite-mk5 (tested)
  • Behringer interfaces (tested)
  • Any class compliant USB audio device

Storage

  • SD Card: Use a high-quality, fast SD card (Class 10, UHS-I or better)
  • USB Storage: For large song libraries, consider USB 3.0 external storage

Installation

Install Rust

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curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh
source ~/.cargo/env

Install mtrack

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cargo install mtrack --locked
sudo cp ~/.cargo/bin/mtrack /usr/local/bin/mtrack

Install Dependencies

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# Audio dependencies
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y \
    libasound2-dev \
    pkg-config \
    build-essential

# OLA for DMX (if using lighting)
sudo apt-get install -y ola ola-python

Performance Optimization

CPU Governor

Set CPU to performance mode:

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sudo cpufreq-set -g performance

Make it permanent:

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echo 'GOVERNOR="performance"' | sudo tee /etc/default/cpufrequtils

Audio Buffer Settings

Adjust buffer settings in your configuration for lower latency:

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audio:
  buffer_size: 512      # Smaller buffer for lower latency
  buffer_threshold: 128 # Lower threshold

Note: Smaller buffers may cause dropouts on slower hardware. Test and adjust.

Disable Unnecessary Services

Disable services you don’t need:

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sudo systemctl disable bluetooth
sudo systemctl disable wifi-powersave

Storage Optimization

Use Fast Storage

  • Use a fast SD card or USB 3.0 storage
  • Consider mounting song repository on USB storage for better performance

Optimize Audio Files

  • Use WAV format (no decoding overhead)
  • Use 44.1kHz sample rate (standard, lower CPU usage)
  • Avoid unnecessarily high bit depths if not needed

Network Setup

Set a static IP for reliable remote control:

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sudo nano /etc/dhcpcd.conf

Add:

interface eth0
static ip_address=192.168.1.100/24
static routers=192.168.1.1
static domain_name_servers=192.168.1.1

WiFi Setup

If using WiFi, ensure stable connection:

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# Disable power saving
sudo iwconfig wlan0 power off

Systemd Service

Set up mtrack to run as a service:

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sudo mtrack systemd > /etc/systemd/system/mtrack.service
sudo nano /etc/default/mtrack

Add:

MTRACK_CONFIG=/path/to/mtrack.yaml

Enable and start:

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sudo systemctl enable mtrack
sudo systemctl start mtrack

Power Management

Disable Screen Blanking

If using a display:

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sudo nano /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf

Add:

[Seat:*]
xserver-command=X -s 0 -dpms

USB Power

Ensure adequate power supply (especially with USB audio interfaces):

  • Use official Raspberry Pi power supply or equivalent
  • Consider powered USB hub for multiple devices

Troubleshooting

Audio Dropouts

  • Increase buffer sizes
  • Check CPU usage: htop
  • Disable unnecessary services
  • Use performance CPU governor

Slow Startup

  • Check SD card speed: sudo hdparm -tT /dev/mmcblk0
  • Consider faster storage
  • Reduce song repository size

Device Not Found

  • Check USB power supply
  • Try different USB port
  • Check dmesg for USB errors
  • Verify device is class compliant

Example Configuration

Optimized configuration for Raspberry Pi:

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songs: /mnt/usb/songs
playlist: /mnt/usb/playlist.yaml

audio:
  device: bcm2835 Headphones  # Or your USB interface
  buffer_size: 1024
  buffer_threshold: 256
  sample_rate: 44100
  sample_format: int
  bits_per_sample: 32

midi:
  device: YourMIDIDevice

track_mappings:
  click: [1]
  cue: [2]
  # ... your tracks