Liner Notes

Use an old phone as the screen.

Liner Notes runs on your PC. A phone shows the same screen, so it can sit by the turntable showing the cover and lyrics. The app has this guide built in too, under Settings > Use a phone as a second screen, and it checks each step off as you go.

Android, over USB

An Android phone plugged into the PC can also listen to your records with its own microphone, and its screen sleeps and wakes with the PC.

  1. Turn on developer options

    On the phone, open Settings > About phone and tap Build number 7 times, until it says you're a developer. On Samsung it's under About phone > Software information.

  2. Turn on USB debugging

    Go to Settings > System > Developer options (on Samsung, at the bottom of Settings) and turn on USB debugging. Leave Stay awake off: Liner Notes keeps the screen on while it's showing. Optionally, set Screen lock to None so the phone comes straight back to Liner Notes when your PC wakes.

  3. Install the Android connector

    In Liner Notes on the PC, open the phone guide and click Install. It's a small free tool from Google, about 7 MB, that lets the PC talk to the phone over USB.

  4. Plug the phone in

    Use a cable that carries data (some charging-only cables don't). When the phone asks "Allow USB debugging?", tick "Always allow from this computer" and tap Allow.

  5. Open Liner Notes on the phone

    In Chrome on the phone, go to localhost:8765. Tap Chrome's menu and choose Install app (or Add to Home screen). Open it from that icon from now on and it runs fullscreen.

  6. Let the phone listen (optional)

    In the phone guide on the PC, turn on Listen with the phone's microphone. It sits right by the speakers, so it hears records better than a webcam across the room. The first time, tap the phone's screen once and allow the microphone.

iPhone, over Wi-Fi

An iPhone works as the screen. The listening stays on the PC's microphone, because iPhones only allow the microphone on secure web pages.

  1. Share Liner Notes on your Wi-Fi

    In the phone guide's iPhone tab, turn on sharing. If Windows asks, allow Liner Notes on Private networks.

  2. Scan the code

    With the iPhone on the same Wi-Fi, point its camera at the code on the PC and tap the link.

  3. Make it an app and keep it on

    In Safari, tap Share, then Add to Home Screen. Open it from that icon from now on. To stop the screen locking, set Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock to Never while it's on the charger.