Slim Warrior

Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 239 Location: UK
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Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 5:34 pm Post subject: DAISY CHAIN STREAMING USING NICECAST |
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DAISY CHAIN STREAMING (NICECAST)
You can steam with another mac user or you can stream with a Pc user, the platform you are using actually makes no difference.
I’ll run through here on using the daisy chain method.
This is based on YOU being the end streamer ie: the person who sends the entire stream into SL
Using Nicecast there is an application called soundflower or audio hijack. This allows you to 'hijack' another stream that someone is connected to and run it through into your computer ready to stream out again with your own, into SL for instance. It already comes with the Nicecast application, If you Didn't install it when you installed Nicecast.. go and Do it now!
There are pros and cons to this method as I will explain a little later on, but firstly the good stuff!
You do need Two separate streams ( ie 2 server streams to do this and multiply if you want to do trios or more)
Open up Nicecast: Click on Windows on the top menu, choose Show Effects and you get a floating window (NICECAST EFFECTS).
Now, to 'hijack' another stream( so you can play with another user) you are going to be getting it (their stream)from iTunes.
Right click on the 'blank' effects box and choose 4FX effect.
Scroll to application mixer and the default box that is inserted into the Nicecast effects box will be iTunes.
You will see a new floating box with Itunes pop up. It is called Application Mixer( KEEP THIS OPEN AT ALL TIMES)
Other headings are;
Select. Advanced, Crossfade and at the bottom of the box Hijack and Monitor output.
Click on advanced and hijack ALL audio.
Check the monitor output box and leave the Application Mixer box up on your screen. DON’T click it to close.
You can now close the Nicecast effects box (or minimize)
You have your stream already: your duet partner will now need to start streaming from their computer on their stream.
Now you need to open iTunes whils’t leaving YOUR source to Garageband.
Now take your friends stream details ie 51.161.000.000 and paste that into your browser Or, paste the url as in Thesinging.stream.la . That will open up iTunes and you click to play their stream and you should now be able to hear them streaming into iTunes.
Now you are going to ‘Hijack that stream and run it. Click on the hijack box.
Open up GB and have your vocal track open ( monitor on) .
The basis is this, You are hijacking your friends stream, they are feeding into your application, they Cannot hear you. You can hear them so at this point it is important to note WHO is playing the lead. IE, if they are playing guitar and you are singing it stands to reason that they need to play first so you can hear the intro and start singing at the right time.
So assuming that is the case, press broadcast. The monitor output will ensure that YOU can hear your friend playing.
( KEEP ALL SOUND OUTPUT AT THIS POINT TO YOUR HEADPHONES ie: System Prefs-sound-output- headphones).
You will have YOUR stream details pasted in to the land media in SL. At this point you REALLY need someone in SL to be listening in as You will not be able to hear yourself and your friend without a terrible delay and hearing yourselves 30 seconds later.
Now assuming you have got this far.. You will be able to hear the two of you in SL.
The Cons for this method are
a) the first person on the stream CANNOT hear what you are singing/saying/ doing. This requires that you practice a LOT.
b) You will need another form of communicating with them ( ie Skpe ( type only) or iChat.
c) You need 2 separate streams.
d) You can’t hear in SL, BUT , Nicecast will archive it for you to play back and listen.
e) You may find on occasion that using Nicecast will separate the sound so you are on the left speaker and the first streamer in on the right speaker. Some tweaking is required for thatJ
Pros are:
a) its great fun, perfect for duets
b) You don’t have to be just 2, I have personally done this with up to 6 people on the stream.. needless to say it was a blast singing with 5 others BUT it does require absolute co-ordination between all involved.
c) By the time sound reaches Sl you will be in sync. So no one hears the delay in world (or on itunes)
d) It’s a fab and inexpensive way to duet.
I have had some absolutely cracking duets with musicians in SL using this method and managed to do the first singing duet in SL with Melvin Took back in 2006.
Remember to record it using the nicecast archive option so you can play it back and work on syncing and getting levels right. As the END streamer you have to balance the mix before it gets to SL. This means that you have to be aware of the levels that your friend has, ie: not distorting, breaks in the stream connection, too quiet, etc. and adjust YOUR performance and output accordingly while being able to let them know via Skype or iChat what the prob is at their end.
Most of all have FUN trying it out. There are other methods which here on the forums I hope someone will post up in more detail re Ninjams, Ejamming, and others.
If anyone EVER needs any inworld help on this please let me know and I’ll help you out
Hopefully I havent fogotten anything on this method, If I have I'll write it up in this thread.
Slimmie _________________ Actually............
Owner of Menorca (Music Events Island)
http://www.myspace.com/slimmie
http://www.myspace.com/slimwarriorsl |
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