Randomize Option

[Skyla]

Hi, after the newest update I have notice that I can no longer 'Randomize' my playlist, has this option been completely removed or has it been moved somewhere else in the options?

I found this really handy for playing large playlists, so I didn't find myself listening to the same artist/artists for 3 or 4 songs in a row before another artist played. If this option has been removed, can I suggest it gets re-added asap. Thanks.

[Rob_S]

In this version clicking the "shuffle" button at the bottom right of the player should randomize your list, and then play them in the new random order as displayed. It will normally only randomise the unplayed tracks, so best to set the current playing track to the top of the list before you shuffle.

You can also manually move tracks up or down in this ordered Playing list as well. If you have a playing list randomised and sorted to your satisfaction, and you would like to be able to return to it, you can thern save it as a new playlist.

[Skyla]

Thanks for the reply, i'll give it a try.

[trinalin]

In this version clicking the "shuffle" button at the bottom right of the player should randomize your list, and then play them in the new random order as displayed.

But why this change? I definitely prefer the original way that was done. (OK, I'm getting old and have become disillusioned with change.)

[Rob_S]

One benefit is you can see what is coming up after current track because it displays the randomized order.

Also next and previous works which it could not before

[124C41]

I tried it, but actually it does not work as before. It mixes stuff, but keeps tracks from CDs together. In the earlier versions, all tracks were mixed independently. Maybe I overlook something, some option somewhere?

[124C41]

One more observation: It doesn't really randomize, but it sorts things chronological: New music on top, older music at the bottom of the list. This is wierd.

[124C41]

In this version clicking the "shuffle" button at the bottom right of the player should randomize your list,

Actually, it doesn't ... the playing list stays the same. I tried it in several ways:

Empty list, Randomize On, Copy files into playing list --- they stay in the same order
Empty list, Randomize Off, Copy files into playing list (same order), turnig Randomize On --- order is not changed

What do I overlook here?

[Rob_S]

Shuffle (replacement for randomize) works only on tracks already in the playing list. In other words, normally you first load up the list by selecting a playlist, or adding tracks manually or a combination of both. Then you select the shuffle mode, which should then shuffle the list from the currently playing track on down. If the first track is selected, it should shuffle all of them.

This shuffle as best I can tell should be totally random without reference to Album, date, or genre. You can of course also manually re-arrange the tracks in the order you like. Then it should play in the displayed order.

If shuffle it turned on, if you add tracks by selecting them, right-click, and select play shuffled it should insert them in shuffled (random) order

If you drag and drop them, they do appear in the selected order in the playing list.

If any of this isn't working for you, you might want to try the latest release candidate from here

viewtopic.php?p=526172#p526172

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong - As best I can tell, the wiki help has not yet been re-written to cover these changes, but most of what is there (except randomize list) is still valid

https://www.mediamonkey.com/wiki/WebHel ... dio_Tracks

[gatheringstr]

My problem (and probably everyone else's) is that a single randomization of the playlist is not enough for a good experience.

My old workflow:
1. Load the playlist
2. Click randomize playlist.
3. Click randomize playlist again. It randomizes the randomized playlist from 2.
4. Click randomize playlist again. It randomized the randomized playlist from 3.
5. I then always had a very randomized playlist that was a GREAT experience!

Now, you are asking us to:
1. Hit shuffle button.
2. If we don't like the mix (because it isn't randomized enough - which is always the case for me on a single randomization)...
3. Click shuffle button to unshuffle. The mix goes back to the regular order.
4. Click shuffle button to shuffle again. The mix is shuffle a SINGLE time on the regular order, which is never enough because the randomization is just not random enough.
5. I have a poor experience because I often hear the same songs over and over (every day) due to poor "single" randomization.

The current "single" randomization is not sufficient.

[gatheringstr]

My problem (and probably everyone else's) is that a single randomization is a poor experience.

My prior workflow:
1. Load the playlist in shuffled order. I'm unhappy with the randomization. It isn't randomized enough.
2. Click randomize on the drop down menu (now gone). It randomizes the already randomized playlist from step 1. I'm still unhappy with the randomization. It looks/feels like it still isn't random enough.
3. Click randomize again. It randomizes the already randomized playlist from step 2.
4. I have a very randomized playlist, and it is a good experience!

The new workflow:
1. Load the playlist in shuffled order.
2. It isn't randomized enough. I have a poor experience because yesterday's random order is very similar to today's random order (and tomorrow's etc.).
3. According to the "solution," I can try to shuffle it again because I don't like the order.
4. I click the shuffle button (turning off the shuffle order). It reverts to the regular order (non-randomized).
5. I then click the shuffle button again to get a different randomization. I have a poor experience because it isn't randomized enough. This is because it is a SINGLE randomization off the regular ordering.
6. I try to do it again, but I never get a good experience because a single randomization is not random enough. This is possibly due to poor random number simulation on some software/hardware platforms.

The old way, I could get a highly randomized list. The new way randomizes with the same starting playlist, and that produces less randomization than randomizing it off of starting playlists that are already randomized (prior workflow).

[gatheringstr]

If you are experiencing poor randomization like me, here is a workaround:

1. Play the playlist shuffled.
2. Save the playlist in its shuffled state.
3. Play that saved playlist again shuffled.

Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you feel like the randomization is enough (i.e. albums stuck together etc.).