Getting Started

Welcome to nGage.band! This guide will help you get started with the platform.

What is nGage.band?

nGage.band is a comprehensive band management platform designed to help bands organize their activities, manage their repertoire, coordinate rehearsals and gigs, and collaborate effectively. Whether you're a small local band or a larger organization, nGage.band provides the tools you need to stay organized and connected.

Understanding the Dashboard

When you log in, you'll see your Dashboard - the central hub of nGage.band. The dashboard provides:

Dashboard Widgets

The dashboard displays various widgets that give you quick access to important information:

• Band Switcher - Quickly switch between different bands you're a member of
• Upcoming Rehearsals - See your next practice sessions
• Upcoming Gigs - View your scheduled performances
• Recent Activity - Track what's been happening in your bands
• Quick Actions - Fast access to common tasks

How Widgets Work:

• Widgets are provided by different modules (Songs, Calendar, Gigs, etc.)
• Each widget shows relevant information for your current band
• Widgets automatically update to show the most recent information
• You can interact with widgets to navigate to full module pages

Dashboard Messages

At the top of the dashboard, you may see messages from administrators or system notifications. These can include:

• Important announcements
• System updates
• Band-specific notices
• Reminders and alerts

Getting Help

nGage.band provides multiple ways to get help and find information:

1. Contextual Help (Help Icon)

• Look for the help icon (?) in the top-right corner of any page
• Click it to see help content specific to the module you're currently viewing
• The help modal shows user documentation for the current page
• Click "View full documentation" to see the complete manual

2. Documentation Module

• Access the full documentation by clicking "Documentation" in the main menu
• Browse all available documentation:
  • General Documentation - System-wide guides and information
  • Module Documentation - Detailed manuals for each module
• Use the search function to quickly find what you're looking for
• Documentation is available even when logged out (public access)

3. Module-Specific Help

Each module has its own documentation:

• User Manual - How to use the module (available to all users)
• Technical Documentation - Internal workings (admin only)

You can access module documentation from:

• The documentation module's sidebar
• The help modal's "View full documentation" link
• Direct URL: /documentation/[module-name]

Logging In

First-Time Login

1. Go to app.ngage.band
2. Enter your email address
3. Choose how you want to receive your verification code:
   • Email - Receive code via email
   • SMS - Receive code via SMS (if your phone number is registered)
   • TOTP - Use your authenticator app (if enabled)
4. Enter the verification code you received
5. You're now logged in!

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

For enhanced security, you can enable two-factor authentication:

1. Go to My Account (click your profile icon in the top-right)
2. Navigate to Security Settings
3. Enable TOTP Authentication
4. Scan the QR code with your authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy, etc.)
5. Enter the verification code to confirm

Biometric Login (Mobile)

If you're using the mobile app, you can enable biometric login:

1. Enable biometric authentication in your account settings
2. Use your fingerprint or face ID for quick login

Creating Your First Band

After logging in, you'll need to create or join a band to get started:

Creating a New Band

1. Click "Bands" in the main menu (or use the band selector)
2. Click "Add Band" or "New Band"
3. Fill in the band details:
   • Band Name (required) - The name of your band
   • Description (optional) - A brief description of your band
4. Click "Save" or "Create Band"

Congratulations! You've created your first band.

Joining an Existing Band

If you've been invited to join a band:

1. You'll receive an invitation (via email or in-app notification)
2. Accept the invitation
3. The band will appear in your band selector

Selecting a Band

Once you have one or more bands:

1. Click the band selector in the top navigation
2. Choose the band you want to work with
3. All modules will now show data for the selected band

Understanding the Interface

Main Navigation

• Top Bar - Contains the help icon, band selector, and account menu
• Side Menu - Access to all modules and features
• Content Area - Main content for the current page

Band Selector

The band selector shows:

• Currently selected band (highlighted)
• All bands you're a member of
• Quick access to switch between bands

Your First Steps

1. Set Up Your Band

• Add band members (if you're the administrator)
• Configure band settings (distance unit, currency, etc.)
• Set up carpool groups (optional)

2. Add Your Songs

• Go to the Songs module
• Click "Add Song"
• Enter song details (title, key, tempo, etc.)
• Optionally record audio or upload files

3. Create a Setlist

• Go to the Setlists module
• Create a new setlist
• Add songs from your library
• Organize the order

4. Plan a Rehearsal

• Go to the Rehearsals module
• Click "Add Rehearsal"
• Set date, time, and location
• Invite band members

5. Schedule a Gig

• Go to the Gigs module
• Click "Add Gig"
• Enter gig details
• Set up carpool groups for travel

Key Features to Explore

File Management

• Connect cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV)
• Share files with band members
• Organize files by project or date

Calendar View

• See all events (rehearsals, gigs, etc.) in one calendar
• Filter by event type
• Export to external calendars

Practice Tools

• Metronome - Practice with a built-in metronome
• Tuner - Tune your instruments
• Audio Recording - Record practice sessions directly in the browser

Permissions and Access

Understanding Permissions

Your access to features depends on:

1. Your Package - Your subscription package determines base permissions
2. Band Permissions - Band administrators can set specific permissions per member
3. Module Permissions - Some modules require specific permissions

Common Permission Levels

• View - Can see content but not modify
• Edit - Can create and modify content
• Delete - Can delete content (usually restricted)
• Manage - Can manage settings and members

Requesting Access

If you need access to a feature:

1. Contact your band administrator
2. They can adjust your permissions in the band settings

Mobile Access

nGage.band works on mobile devices:

• Responsive Design - Optimized for phones and tablets
• Mobile App - Native apps available for iOS and Android
• Offline Support - Some features work offline

Tips for Success

Organization

• Use consistent naming for songs and files
• Organize files in folders
• Add descriptions and tags where available

Communication

• Use the calendar to coordinate schedules
• Set up carpool groups for gigs
• Send newsletters to keep everyone informed

Practice

• Record practice sessions for review
• Use the metronome to improve timing
• Keep notes about arrangements and changes

Next Steps

Now that you're set up, explore these modules:

1. Songs Module - Start building your song library
2. Files Module - Set up file sharing
3. Setlists Module - Create your first setlist
4. Calendar Module - View all your events
5. Rehearsals Module - Plan your first rehearsal
6. Gigs Module - Schedule your first performance

Last updated: January 2025