Encoder question ?

Lightnin · Encoder question ?

Hi I'm a new guy to the forum, with of course a question Confused

I'm using simple cast with an alesis USB 8 mixer what would
be the encoder setting best for performing live on SL ?

Thanks Smile

RayW

OK ... tech guys ... I'll throw out my simple answer and you can throw out the details ...

Hello Lightnin Very Happy

The Encoder gets set to whatever the venue (or relay) server can handle best. They should tell you.

Having said that, it also depends on how fast your machine is and how much loading is on the Shoutcast server ( related to number of listeners).

For under 12 listeners .. I run fine at 128Kb, 44.1k stereo.

If we have loading issues, I've gone as low as 64Kb, 44.1k stereo.

So, I think a general number 96Kb, 44.1 stereo is common.

what say you other guys?

Norris Shepherd

depends....

if you streaming guitar and voice, i would say you only need mono (although some who do this stream in stereo)

if you are using backing tracks, might want to stream in stereo.

then choose the highest bitrate that your set up can handle. (things affecting this.. processor speed, amount of RAM, internet connection upload capacity, other software running on computer, etc)

Myself.. i stream at 128 kbps in mono (44.1 kHz). (sounds kinda like this http://www.norrisshepherd.com/music/NS_WhereAmIGoing_mar09.mp3 ) Others stream with higher settings...

Lightnin

Thanks Ray Smile

Thanks Norris Smile

that gives me a starting place.

Do you guys suggest anyplace friendly to go set it up for the
first time as a rehearsal run ?

Norris Shepherd

do you already have a stream?

If not.. someone would provbably let you use theirs to test it. You don't even need to be in SL to test the stream, but it helps if you are looking for feedback from someone.

If you don't have land rights to set the stream in SL, you can always get someone to listen in via MediaPlayer, Winamp, etc...

Lightnin

Fyrm Fouroux

I use Simplecast and I have Alesis 8 USB mixer. I always use 96kb 44.1 stereo. I have never ever had complaints about the quality of my sound. Indeed, the amazing Nad Gough reckons I get a very good acoustic guitar sound streaming up at my shows. Of course, that is not all down to the Alesis and Simplecast. But my point is, you have good stuff going for you.

Silas Scarborough

I use a stream from Ed Lowell's Stream Team. $5155L a month but it's never failed and support is excellent. It's always good to have your own stream even if it's just as a fallback.

If you need to know if a PC or a Mac is better for streaming, ask someone with a PC how long it took to get set up versus how long it took to set up the Mac.

Indeed is a useless word that takes up space for no apparent reason and, indeed, it should be removed from the dictionary.

Norris Shepherd

Hey Lightnin .. you can use my stream to test if you want. Just send me an IM inworld and I'll pass it to you.

There's all kinds of streams available inworld, and the rental prices have come down quite a bit over the past 2 years. Send me an IM and I'll give you the details.

ticious

I recently rented one from Tammy Toll of Toll Entertainment for L$1200 per month (max listeners 100) but had to let it go because it had a hard max of 128kps and some musicians were streaming over that rate. When they did so, I'd be out of biz until the vendor could reset it. She was great and always did within 10 - 30 minutes, but that was long enough for me to lose my audience.

Since I can't control the rate at which all the musicians stream at my venue, I had to revert to Jamie Otis's stream at L$4000 per month, but I've used that stream with no problems for over two years. But for you own personal stream where you CAN control the bit rate, there are a lot of really inexpensive alternatives out there.

I recommend you shop around and get references as service and quality are obviously gonna vary with the price. And be sure you're not paying for features you don't need. I talked to one musician who was paying L$8000 per month. The reason for extra cost was some added feature (I don't recall what it was) that she had absolutely no need of.

RayW

And, let's be sure you REALLY need a stream. I have two ... one runs my 24/7 showcase of my music and it is pricy (though I got a discount by helping advertise it). Do I need it ... not really. Do I want it ... damn right!

My other stream is L$3800/month and has been very reliable. I only use it for MY shows ... 4 times a month. Is that needed. Not really ... I can play all over SL without needing to rent a stream. Do I want it ... YES. Gives me freedom, power, and something to play with.

But, in truth .. the less you need to spend in SL, the better off you will be in the long run.

Lightnin

Thanks all !! Smile

Its a bit of a information overload but thats cool I can check
back to this thread as I learm more it will make more sense to
me Cool

as I learn more Smile

Norris I'll likely take you up on that offer, much apreciated Cool

Silas Scarborough

Here's another plug for Ed Lowell and the Stream Team: when I was having all kinds of troubles with dropping the stream, he came out and monitored the server activity during a gig. This wasn't just checking to see that the server was up but rather that he was watching I/O activity.

Definitely shop around and a big question is in asking people how long it took for them to get help when there was a stream problem.

Additional details: $5155L - 1000 listeners - 128K (unknown if that is capped at 128K)

Fyrm Fouroux

Silas Scarborough