Upgradging version 6 to 8

[Goos]

Hi All

We are considering upgrading our mAirList Home licenses to version 8.

We are currently still running the latest version 6.

What are the key benefits of upgrading from mAirList 6 to version 8?

We would like to get a clear picture of the added value version 8 offers compared to our current version 6, so we can determine whether an upgrade makes sense for our situation.

We would also like to get in touch with forum members to hear about their experiences so far.

Regards

Goos

[UliNobbe]

Hi Goos,

have you read the two changelogs (v7 and v8) yet?

As an experiment, I’m going to ask an “AI” to write a summary based on the two changelogs. Let’s see how it turns out.
Just to test it out, I’ll also have it translated into my language - thanks for the suggestion.

@Goos

What are the key benefits of upgrading from mAirList 6 to version 8?

There is not one answer that works for everyone because each user has different priorities. Some people like the GUI, others like the RODECaster remote control, and some are excited about the new features for creating playlists. Or is it the improved search function in the database?

There are a number of benefits, but which of them should be the “key benefits”?

[Goos]

Hi Uli we are all using a D&R Airlite in our home studio’s.
Can you tell me where can we find the benfits to updating to version 8

Goos

[UliNobbe]

This is what my favorite “AI” (Claude Sonnet 5 by Anthropic) rewrote from the changelogs into continuous text:

@AI "Claude Sonnet 5"

Moving from v6 to v8 means crossing the entire v7 generation as well, since v7.0 was a major rewrite. The single biggest jump is v7.0 itself: a redesigned playlist GUI, WASAPI as the new default audio engine (replacing DirectSound as primary), a completely reworked Audio Routing configuration with auto-repair when device IDs change, built-in Dark Mode with live skin editing, and a unified database configuration with built-in user/group management (no more relying on SQL roles). It also introduced Automatic File Containers, a redesigned System Log with archiving, and REST logging/remote control extended to use the mAirListDB user database for authentication.

The subsequent 7.1–7.4 releases were more incremental but added real operational value: regionalization (separate regions with codes/names for regional opt-outs), an internal rewrite of the logging engine, expanded remote-control hardware support (DHD Control API, D&R AURON, Axel Tech Oxygen, Stream Deck, Ember+ Provider), deeper MusicMaster/Nexus integration (including Nexus authentication and cue-marker support), and a large number of format import filters for various newsroom/traffic systems (DABiS, Dalet, Open Radio, I Like Music, and others). Playlists also gained a maximum of 32 instances, region containers became schedulable and mappable, and login/logout with role-based restrictions was added to the playout app.

Version 8.0 then adds a further layer of features specifically aimed at automation and hardware integration: a new “Auto Mix” feature that can automatically place sweepers or voice tracks on ramps, support for RODECaster mixers (including a dedicated volume-curve command), “dynamic” playlist items that track filesystem changes and auto-update duration, customizable “Action Commands” for arbitrary remote-control-triggered action lists, four separate Stereo Mix busses on the encoder (so multiple stream connections can share sound processing setups instead of needing separate DSPs each), Art-Net DMX remote control, layout “presets” you can switch between, and a “replacement” feature in hour templates that lets generated content (e.g. imported log-note placeholders) be swapped for real scheduled content like ad blocks. The 8.0.x point releases since then have been mostly stabilization and hardware refinements (IO-Warrior model support, Rodecaster fader curve tuning, a Stream Monitor REST endpoint).

In short: expect a substantially modernized core (audio engine, GUI, dark mode, routing, user management) from the v7.0 jump alone, plus broader hardware/remote-control support and deeper automation/database integration accumulated through 7.1–8.0, capped by 8.0’s automation-focused additions (Auto Mix, dynamic items, Stereo Mix busses, Action Commands).

Transparency Notice pursuant to the EU AI Act:
The text cited above was generated by artificial intelligence (“AI”).

If you’d like, I can have the text translated into your language. It only takes a few seconds. Just send me a quick message (PN).

[UliNobbe]

@Goos

we are all using a D&R Airlite in our home studio’s.

You will love this v7 feature:

[+] Redesigned Audio Routing configuration with improved identification/testing
    and built-in repair function when device IDs change after Windows update

I remember that, after major Windows updates, the fader assignments to the USB ports on D&R hybrid consoles were lost or mixed up. Although that was a Windows issue, Torben added a kind of “memory” to mAirList that works quite reliably.
Since then, I haven’t heard any more complaints from D&R customers about this problem.

[Goos]

Thanks for the info Uli
I pass this trough to my radio collegues

Goos