SLMC

luketemplar · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 314 Location: United Kingdom

This guide is under construction and is to be distributed by the SLMC ONLY. Please add your suggestions and corrections below. I will incorporate it into the guide at some point.
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1) Computer.
Make sure you have at least SL's minimum requirements AND THEN SOME - otherwise you will run into problems with streaming and lag. (Any technical input here would be appreciated)

2) Streaming software
PC Users:
You can get this for free at http://www.shoutcast.com/download/broadcast.phtml (SHOUTCAST PLUGIN FOR WINAMP) or http://www.spacialaudio.com/products/simplecast/ (SIMPLECAST from Spatial Audio)
MAC Users:
You will have to pay for Nicecast. http://www.rogueamoeba.com/nicecast/

3) A music stream
This can be rented for a minimal sum from many providers within SL - either monthly, weekly, daily or even hourly. Most venues will provide you with a stream to use if you request it. There are free practice streams also available for new artists who wish to learn to stream.

4) Microphone

(Anything more to add guys?)
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The ViBe
::Live, Love, Dance::
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Nad · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 428 Location: at my puter.

I can't imagine doing this without an external mixer...are there software mixers that do this job?
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DjaiSkjellerup · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 264

You have the basics spot on Luke. Smile

It depends on what your act is of course but if you have two sound sources (like voice through a vocal mic and an electronic keyboard or voice and a guitar with pickups) then I would advise using a little mixing desk that you can plug your instruments into and then plug that desk into your soundcard. Plugging a microphone straight into the soundcard will give you very little control over sound quality.

So having a desk would help you to get the levels between your two sound sources just right with a little tweaking before the gig. Some desks also have built in effects which is handy if you just want to add a touch of reverb to your voice to make it sound a little more special.

Personally I use a Behringer XENYX 1202 FX. Very reasonably priced (£80 or less in the UK), reliable and easy to use.

But be careful of adding too much reverb otherwise you'll end up sounding like a cistercian monk. Unless you are a cistercian monk in which case that's fine Very Happy

RayW · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Twin Cities, MN

Man ... I wouldn't want to do a serious mix in anything BUT a hardware mixer.

I have a MOTU 2408 I/O system that has a great software mixer. But, I couldn't get Winamp to see it in order to stream it (not Simplecast, either).

So, we go with the audio out of the HW mixer and into the line input for my (*cringe*) SoundBlaster (on my older PC). Seems to work great.

And, Djai, I have that mixer, too. Love it! But, may need to trade up to get another Aux bus.

And, BTW, Luke ... GREAT Job! Thanks for taking the time to put these together and sharing your ideas.
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http://www.rayweyland.com
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Nad · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 428 Location: at my puter.

heh - I have that same Behringer in my setup as well lol. Right handy and flexible piece it is. Though I will admit, though I am NO slouch on operating computers or electronic equipment, I let my Behringer sit for over a year before I actually hooked it into the rest of my stuff, and I can't claim to know much more than that, now that it is set up, if I avoid pressin any dayam buttons it will do the job I need it for. There are easier solutions but I doubt they look anywheres near as cool!
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RayW · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Twin Cities, MN

Oh ... and I noticed in one of the other FAQs a comment about running compression on the 'puter. Well, I moved that to hardware and love it.

I put a dbx 166XL dual compressor/limiter/gate on an Aux bus, run both my vocal FX and my guitar to the Aux and the dbx gets them both under control. Then, they are mixed back into the main.

I don't run the backing tracks through it (or into the Aux bus, really) because they are already produced ... just need to manage the level.

Although it's much cheaper to do things on the computer, you can get away with a old machine if you give it a little hardware help.

And, man, Nad ... pushing buttons and twisten and sliding thingies around if part of the fun. Wink

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Ray
http://www.rayweyland.com
http://www.sounds-of-ray.com

luketemplar · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 314 Location: United Kingdom

Guys - can one of you experts do an FAQ topic on mixers? I will mention it in this one and link to that FAQ from here.
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The ViBe
::Live, Love, Dance::
http://vibe.slvibe.com

DjaiSkjellerup · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 264

Me ...expert? lol

I pretty much exhausted my knowledge in the 10 or 12 lines I put here Sad

I was hoping not to admit I dont know what an Aux bus is but now you've "outed" me Smile

Nad · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 428 Location: at my puter.

Luke, an aux bus is that stuff on my Behringer mixer I have no idea what it does.

it may be french - pronounced "oh". cause that's all I say when i look at it.
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RayW · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Twin Cities, MN