SLMC

Woodsong · Joined: 07 Jun 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Pennsylvania, USA

I have a fairly new PC laptop which unfortunately has the Windows Vista 64 bit OS. I ordered an Alesis USB mixer and now have to send it back because it will not work with the 64 bit version of Vista. Apparently there are no drivers for the 64 bit version and Alesis has not said when or even if they will ever make drivers for the 64 bit version of Vista.

Some folks are advising me to downgrade my OS to Windows XP, but I really don't want to go through that hassle.

Are any of you streaming your music using a Windows Vista 64 bit OS PC, and if so what audio equipment are you using with it to stream?

I am considering purchasing an E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 audio interface and using it with my analog Behringer Micro Mixer to stream music into SL? The E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 does include a driver for Windows Vista 64 bit.

Any advice or recommendations for hardware and streaming software for my set up would be greatly appreciated.
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Woodsong

Norris Shepherd · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 3:44 am Post subject:

Does your computer have a regular sound card?

If it does, just run the 'line out' from the Alesis/Behringher/whatever mixer into the 'line in' of the onboard/or other soundcard.

Then you can stream using the sound from the soundcard.

You don't NEED to run into your computer using the USB interface. A standard audio cable into the 1/8th inch jack with do fine.

Woodsong · Joined: 07 Jun 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Pennsylvania, USA

Thanks for the reply Norris.

Yes, my laptop does have a built in sound card. I was running the output from my mixer into the line in port of my sound card, but the sound quality in SL was poor. I was thinking it was the cheap sound card, but maybe my mixer is the problem? or mic?
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Woodsong

Toby Lancaster · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 105 Location: UK

An audio interface is a great thing to have, but it might not automatically solve the problem.

I'd avoid the USB connection for now, as your streaming software might have trouble finding it. Several users here have had that issue, even with XP.

Best to concentrate on the Line In signal for now. If you use BUTT to stream, you can easily record what you are streaming, in order to be able to check the quality.

My best advice would be to start at the beginnning and try to check each step in the chain. Connect you mic to the mixer, listen on headphones, check all is well. Do you use an instrument? Plug that in and check it to. Next, connect the mixer to the pc and try to record. How does that sound? etc.

The next step would be to check the software mixer settings on the laptop.

Let us know how you get on.

Toby
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Norris Shepherd · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:22 pm Post subject:

ticious · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 2600 Location: Chicago

I have no technical expertise to offer, but I'll offer this. Don't get discouraged!! As far as I can see, just about everyone goes through this process and once it's sorted, it's sorted and you're good to go!!!
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RayW · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 953 Location: Twin Cities, MN

ditto-ditto-ditto

One reason I'm no good at giving advice is that I've got a pretty nice system and really can't help other people debug their problems because it sort of fell together nicely for me.

But, even at that, I was having LEVEL problems during my first few gigs. It really helped having an experienced ear on the other end giving me HONEST opinions from that side.

But, what finally solved it for me was a mid-priced compress/limiter between the mixer and the PC. Plus, like Toby said .. being able to record your sessions is HUGE! Even after getting close to what you'd like, it's a great way to analyze what happened.
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hexx · Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 386 Location: Rastafairy Beach

A soundcheck can never hurt either. I'm sure any venue owner and/or musician in here will be happy to help you get the levels of your stream right. Just pick a quiet time of day and ask around.
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Woodsong · Joined: 07 Jun 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Pennsylvania, USA

Thanks everyone for your good suggestions and encouragement!

I do use the BUTT software and I have tried recording myself, but it seems like what people are getting in SL has lost its quality. So maybe it is something to do with the streaming rate. What rate's would you recommend I try?

Yes, I do play guitar and sing. I have a Taylor with a built in pickup and I use an Audio Technica Proforma Condenser Mic (P650).

I will keep plugging away. I am wondering if it is worth keeping the Alesis Mixer, but just feeding it into the sound card? Does anyone know if the effects that come with the Alesis mixer are software effects or built into the mixer itself?

It would be nice to have a little reverb, but I don't think my sound card has that option.
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Woodsong

Norris Shepherd · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:30 pm Post subject:

what exact alesis mixer do you have?