HOW TO DJ
As a DJ you have an important role to play during the game!
You need a music streaming service to DJ. HITSTER is designed to work best with Spotify and the step-by-step guide below assumes that you are a Spotify user. If you are using another music streaming service, go to “play without Spotify” below.
PREPARATIONS
1. Position the game box as shown in the picture
2. Make sure you have the latest version of Spotify installed
Install Spotify on the mobile phone you intend to use during the game. If you already have Spotify installed, make sure you have the latest version.
TIP: If possible, use your own mobile so you don’t need to ask someone else to unlock it between songs.
3. Connect to a speaker
(optional)
Music is best listened to in good speakers. If possible, connect the mobile phone to your sound system such as Sonos/HEOS or a bluetooth speaker. Otherwise, playing from the built in mobile spekar also works.
4. Deactivate "private" mode in your browser settings
To play the songs using the DJ Booth you need to deactivate “private” mode on your default web browser (mainly relevant for iPhone users).
5. Make sure you can scan the QR Codes so that the music starts playing automatically
If you use an iPhone
There are a number of different QR reader apps in App Store. You can use any of them that allow for the music to play automatically without you having to approve playing the song in Spotify every time. Click the red button below to download the recommended 3rd party QR reader app. Make sure you’re using Safari as your standard web browser. Now, try scanning a music card using the QR reader and make sure the song starts playing automatically.
We have developed our own QR-reader which will be available in Appstore as soon as Apple has approved it.
On some iPhones the built in QR reader works just as well. Click here to learn how to use it.
If you use an Android mobile
There are a number of different QR reader apps in Google Play Store. You can use any of them that allow for the music to play automatically without you having to approve playing the song in Spotify every time. Click the red button below to download the recommended 3rd party QR reader app. Be aware that the latest Android update might make this app incompatible with your Android phone. Try scanning a music card using the QR reader and make sure the song starts playing automatically.
6. Finished! Now, you're ready to DJ!
DURING THE GAME
1. Start the QR Reader / built in camera
2. Position the mobile phone
Place the mobile phone as advised on the fold out, screen facing down. The song plays automatically, but please note that it can sometimes take up to 5 seconds before you hear it.
3. Give the music card to the player bottom up
As the music is playing, pull out the music card at the bottom of the pile and give it to the player face down. Make sure the remaining music cards stay in their position inside the box.
4. Repeat the procedure for the next player.
When using Spotify to play the songs, you won't see what is being played. That means you can also take part in the game!
DJ WITHOUT SPOTIFY
To take advantage of playing the music automatically using the QR codes and the DJ booth, you need Spotify. We highly recommend that you download Spotify if you are not currently using it, as it will improve the gaming experience. Follow the guide below to use another music streaming service, but please be aware that the DJ can’t take part in the game or alternatively you’ll need to take parts playing the songs.
PREPARATIONS
1. Position the game box as shown in the picture
2. Install / open the music streaming service you intend to use
TIP: If possible, use your own mobile so you don’t need to ask someone else to unlock it between songs.
3. Connect to a speaker (optional)
Music is best listened to in good speakers. If possible, connect the mobile phone to your sound system such as Sonos/HEOS or a bluetooth speaker. Otherwise, playing from the built in mobile spekar also works.
4. Finished! Now, you're ready to DJ!
DURING THE GAME
1. Play the song
Pull out a music card, type in the artist name and song title into your preferred music streaming service and play the song.
2. Give the music card to the player bottom up
3. Repeat the procedure for the next player.
PROBLEMS
PLAYING THE MUSIC?
START BY READING OUR FAQ BELOW:
My phone can’t read the QR Codes. What do I do?
1. The card position
Start by making sure the cards are positioned correctly so that the QR codes are visible from below.
If that didn’t work, go to step 2.
2. The light conditions
Improve the lighting to make it easier for the mobile phone to “see” the QR codes. You can either light up the room or activate the built in flashlight in your mobile as you scan the QR codes. If you are using an iPhone and the built in QR reader, there is a flashlight symbol in the middle of the screen. If you use the recommended QR Reader for iPhone, there is a button in the top right corner in the app that activates the flashlight.
The music starts playing in Spotify, but how am I supposed to start the next song?
When a song is playing in Spotify and the DJ wants to put on the next song, the DJ needs to re-open the QR-reader, place the phone inside the DJ-booth with the screen facing down and wait for the next song to start. This procedure is repeated for every song. This requires the DJ to switch between Spotify and the QR-reader, which usually is fairly easy and quick. There is hence no technical solution for switching to the next song inside the Spotify app and even if there were such feature, there would be no way for it to know which card is next up in your HITSTER box.
My phone scans the QR Codes, but the music doesn’t start playing automatically. What do I do?
1. Deactivate “private” mode
To play the songs using the DJ booth you need to deactivate “private” mode on your default web browser. Make sure it is deactivated (mainly relevant for iPhone users).
If that didn’t work, go to step 2.
2. Update Spotify
Make sure you have the latest Spotify app version.
If that didn’t work, go to step 3.
3. Change the default web browser
If you have an Android phone: Download google chrome as set that as your default web browser. Click here for further instructions how to change default browser.
If you have an iPhone: Make sure you have set safari as your standard web browser. Click here for further instructions how to change default browser.
If that didn’t work, go to step 4.
4. Disconnect Wi-Fi
Sometimes a router/firewall prohibits certain URLs. Try disconnecting your Wi-Fi connection in your phone and use the cellular network instead.
If that didn’t work, go to step 5.
5. Try another QR Reader
Try installing another QR code reader. Appstore and Google Play Store are packed with QR reader apps. Find the one that works best for you.
New tabs are opened every time I scan a QR-code, how can that be fixed?
Yes, you are right, but unfortunatly there is not much we can do about that. To speed up the tab deletion process when you are done playing, go into settings and clear the cache and history in your browser.
