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FAQ

August 13, 2023 – PaceDJ App Issue:  We are aware that the most recent iOS update to v16.6 has caused a problem with PaceDJ.  Specifically, when the screen goes to sleep, the app does not advance to the next song.  Users are reporting that only one song is playing and then the app stops.

We are working on a fix, and hope to push an update soon.  Please stay tuned, and thanks for your patience!

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The following are some of the more frequently asked questions about PaceDJ.  If you don’t see the answer to your question here, contact us.

Questions About the PaceDJ Mobile App

Q: Generally, how does the app work?

1. PaceDJ scans your music library.
PaceDJ creates mixes using the music on your iPhone and in iCloud.

 2. You set the tempo of your workout; PaceDJ builds you a custom mix.
PaceDJ automatically builds a custom mix, sorting your music by BPM.

3. You have a great workout!
Working out to the beat of your favorite music – all custom-mixed to match your target pace/tempo – is really motivating!

Q:  Can I use other apps in the background with PaceDJ?
A: Yes!  You can run other apps while using PaceDJ to create your playlist.

Q:  What is the difference between the free and paid tiers?
A: The free version is designed to let you try out PaceDJ and decide if you like it.  We don’t serve ads in the free version anymore.  If you upgrade to the paid version ($0.99/month), you will unlock the following:

  1. Ability to create a “Favorites” playlist
  2. Interval Training
  3. Workout Tracking
  4. BPM Shifting (works with songs saved on your phone, not with songs in iCloud)
  5. We plan to add more features to the premium tier. Stay tuned!

Q. PaceDJ is “freezing up.”  How can I fix this problem?

  • First, please email us at management@pacedj.com so we can help you.
  • Make sure you are running the latest iOS version.
  • Make sure your device has a strong WiFi signal (it’s best to download and setup PaceDJ in WiFi instead of 3G).
  • Try deleting and re-installing the app if your first attempt was not within a strong WiFi signal.
  • Let the app scan your library within the strong WiFi signal.
  • If you have problems with the app after doing these things, please contact us so we can help you further!

Q: What does “Use BPM Shifting?” mean in settings?
A:
BPM shifting is a premium feature.  If you turn on BPM shifting in Settings, PaceDJ will speed up or slow down the BPMs of the songs you own that are saved on your device to match your target pace/tempo on the main screen.  BPM shifting does not work on songs saved in iCloud.

Q: I have songs in my library that are not showing up in my playlist.  What do I do?

A:  We use an external database to find song BPMs.  When the database doesn’t have a match for a song, the song shows up as “unmatched” in PaceDJ.  You can tap out the BPM for those songs using the drum though.  Once the BPM is matched to the song, PaceDJ can pull the song into a playlist.

You can navigate to the drum via the following steps:

  1. Navigate to PaceDJ Settings/Manage Music/Fix BPMs
  2. Find the song you want.  You can sort by selecting “Unmatched” to group songs that don’t have a BPM marking.
  3. Select the song you want and tap the drum with the beat.  This will mark the BPM so PaceDJ can use the song in playlists.

Q:  Is it possible for pacedj to scan the music on my PC so I know what to download onto my phone?  I’m trying to save space on my phone by only having those tracks that match my required pace.

A: PaceDJ currently only determines BPMs for the songs saved on your phone.  However, if you want to reduce the number of songs to save space on your phone, here is an approach that should work.

  • Create a new playlist in your iTunes library on your PC and name it something like “Exercise.”
  • Drop any song that you think you would enjoy exercising to into that playlist.
  • Sync your new playlist to your iPhone.
  • In PaceDJ settings choose the “Exercise” playlist during initial setup (you may have to delete and reinstall the app to do this).
  • PaceDJ will determine BPMs for the new playlist and then you are done.

Q: What does the button “Measure your pace” do?
A:  This feature will tell you your step rate in steps/minute, which you can use to find songs to match your pace on PaceDJ.com.

  • When you press the button, the app will instruct you to walk or run 15 steps with your phone in your hand.
  • As you walk or run, tap the drum.  The app will display your target pace.
Q. What does the big number in the middle of the screen mean?
A. This is your “Target BPM” that will determine your exercise pace.  For example, if the Target BPM reads “130” than this number tells the app to find songs that have tempos of 130BPM +/- a tempo range that you can choose in “Settings.”

Q. How do I set the tempo range for my Target BPM?
A. In “Settings,” tap “BPM Range.”  You’ll see a roller that allows you set the tempo range.  We recommend a range of +/5 BPM for running, +/-10 BPM for walking, and +/- 5-10BPM for cycling.

Q. What does the star icon on the main screen do?
A. This icon allow you to add a song to your “Favorites” playlist.  Favorites is a premium feature. You can select the Favorites playlist from the main screen of PaceDJ.

Q. What does the small number to the left of the song title mean?
A. This number is the actual BPM of the song you are listening to.  This number should be within the tempo range for your Target BPM that you choose in “Settings.”  If you see yellow lines over the small metronome icon, it means the song is BPM shifted to match your target BPM.  BPM shifting is a premium feature that only works with songs saved on your phone.

Q. What does “Manage Music/Fix BPM” mean?
A. Tapping here allows you to see all of the songs in your libary as well as the BPMs for those songs.  If you see a song that has an incorrect BPM marking, then you can tap on that song title and fix the song by tapping on the virtual drum that appears.

If you think a song’s BPM is marked incorrectly, then tap “Manage Music/Fix BPM,” and you will be able to correct the BPM by tapping the tempo of the song on a virtual drum that will appear.  Here’s how you do it.

  1. Navigate to PaceDJ Settings/Manage Music/Fix BPMs
  2. Find the song you want.  You can sort by selecting “Unmatched” to group songs that don’t have a BPM marking.
  3. Select the song you want and tap the drum with the beat.  This will mark the BPM so PaceDJ can use the song in playlists.

Q. What does the lock icon in the top left corner do?
A. If you tap the lock icon, then you will see a locked screen.  In some cases, the album artwork for the song you are listening to will appear.  The locked screen prevents you from accidentally tapping a button while you are exercising.  If you want to unlock, just tap the same icon while in the locked screen and the Main Screen will reappear.

Q. How do I access “Settings?”
A. In the top right corner of the Main Screen, you’ll see a small circle that looks kind of like a gear.  Tap that circle, and the Settings page will appear.

Q. What does “Activity Type” mean?
A. If you tap on “Activity Type,” you can tell PaceDJ if you are a walker, runner, or cyclist.  Your choice will set the default Target BPM for your activity in the main screen.

Q. What does “1/2 Tempo Songs” and “2x Tempo Songs” mean?
A. If you select these, the app will include songs in your playlist at 1/2 or 2x the Target BPM that you choose.  These features can increase the number of songs that the app can choose from, and make your playlists larger.

Q. What does “BPM Range” mean?
A. This setting allows you to set a range around your Target BPM.  For example, if your Target BPM is 130, and if you set the range to +/- 5 BPM, then PaceDJ will include songs in your playlist between 125 – 135 BPM.

Q. What does “Playlist” mean?
A. Here, you can tell PaceDJ what playlist in your device library to use.  We suggest using your entire library, so PaceDJ can have the largest possible group of songs to work with.

Q: How does PaceDJ calculate my target pace?
A: When you create your profile, PaceDJ uses common BPM rates for your activity as a baseline and then suggests a target pace for you, taking into account factors including your age, gender, height, and fitness level.  If the initial estimate is a little too fast or slow for you, then you can adjust your target pace within your profile and within the PaceDJ app to fit your needs.  Try it out!

Q: Why doesn’t PaceDJ recommend songs based on my mile time when running, walking or cycling?
A: 
People have different stride lengths, influenced in part by age, height, gender, and fitness level. Because people have different stride lengths, and typically don’t measure their stride length, it is difficult to accurately suggest songs that match a person’s desired mile time.

Q: What should I do if I’m not sure about my target pace?
A:  
Navigage to “Measure My Pace” in the PaceDJ app, and tap out your footsteps on the drum for 15 steps.  The app will display your pace in BPM.

Q: Can I use PaceDJ for other sports than running, walking, or cycling?
A:
PaceDJ should be useful in any sport that has a repetitive cadence such as snowboarding, roller skating, snow skiing, swimming, etc.  We plan to add other activities, so stay tuned.

General Questions

Q: Can I use other exercise apps at the same time as PaceDJ?
A:
Yes.

Q. How can I provide feedback or report a bug?
A. Please email us at management@pacedj.com, and thanks for giving us the chance to fix the problem!

Q. How many songs should I have in my device library for PaceDJ to work the best?
A. Basically, the more songs you have on your device, the better PaceDJ will work.

  • If you have lots of songs that you might enjoy dancing to, then you should have a good library for exercise.
  • If your library is mostly classical music or slow/mellow music, then you may have fewer choices that are well-suited for exercise pacing.

Q: What should I do if I have a mix of songs on my device, and some are good for exercising, while others are not?
A: Sometimes you have songs on your device, for example audio books, that aren’t what you want to listen to when exercising.  A good way to manage this is to create a playlist entitled “Exercise,” and move all the songs you like for exercise into that playlist.  Within the PaceDJ app, you can then select the “Exercise” playlist instead of your entire library.  This practice will ensure that PaceDJ avoids songs that you don’t want to listen to during your workouts.

Q. What does “BPM” mean?
A. BPM stands for “Beats Per Minute.”  Every song has its own unique tempo, in Beats Per Minute.  Songs that are slower, tend to be between 80 – 100 BPM, while songs that are faster tend to be between 140 – 180 BPM.

Q. Why is BPM useful for exercise pacing?
A. When you do any repetitive motion sport (like walking or running) and when you are exercising at a consistent speed, you take a specific number of steps per minute (in cycling, you pedal in rotations per minute – RPM).  You can match your steps per minute to the BPM of songs and use the songs to attain your desired exercise pace.

Q. How do I know what BPM I should use for my exercise?
A. When you first launch PaceDJ, you tell the app whether you are a runner, walker, or cyclist.  PaceDJ sets the default BPM for your chosen activity.  You can speed up or slow down the target pace using the up and down arrows in the main screen. For reference, here is a link to an article by James Sundquist explaining typical BPM zones for walking, running, and cycling.
2021 – Pacing Technologies, LLC
 

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