How do I perform in SL? (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

luketemplar · How do I perform in SL? (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

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?)

Nad

I can't imagine doing this without an external mixer...are there software mixers that do this job?

DjaiSkjellerup · Mixing desk

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

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.

Nad

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!

RayW

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

luketemplar

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.

DjaiSkjellerup · Expert

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

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.

RayW

luketemplar

Thanks Ray - the only mixer I know about mixes my margaritas with crushed ice *beams*

Zak Claxton

Here's my SL gig signal chain, if anyone cares (especially if anyone cares about using a Mac as I do, LOL).

1. Me. This consists of my voice and my trusty Martin D-18V (a dreadnought acoustic) and my set of Hohner Special 20 harmonicas.

2. Microphones. I use two mics: a large diaphragm Groove Tubes GT57 for my voice and harps, and a mid-sized GT30 for my guitar.

3. Mixer. I have a little Mackie 1202-VLZ that I use to make any small adjustments to gain, panning, yada yada. Keep in mind: it's not entirely necessary to use the mixer!

4. Audio Interface. The signal leaves the mixer via analog cables from the main outs, and goes into my Digidesign Mbox. That's where I also monitor myself, using headphones. The signal leaves the Mbox via a USB cable, and ends up in my...

5. Macintosh. I run Nicecast ($40), and it works pretty flawlessly. I plug in my stream address (either my own or one the venue provides) in Nicecast's server window, the venue puts the same stream addy into the media field of their parcel, and bang-zoom! I'm playing my gig.

I keep all my stuff set up here in my office/studio to the point that if I wanted to, I could be playing live in SL on about three minute's notice.

That's all! Smile

KTravanti

I have a Korg 88 key synth workstation connected to a Mackie DFX-6. My mic is an Audio Spectrum AS-400 plugged into my Mackie which is plugged in the audio connections to my mac. ( methinks its firewire.. but my husband set it up... I just play! lol )

I use Nicecast as the broadcaster in world on my stream server.

Eventually.. I will be using Re-wire Software with my Korg to perform the new music I am working on.

I've come a looong way since I first started performing in SL!

KT

Distilled1 · HElp

Ok I run into this a lot with helping people set up their sounblaster live cards OMG! yeah issues issues.
So a new guy great musician wants to start jaming I get him up and streaming fine.
the mic damn shoutcast and mics. I have him with a HW mixer going into the card. still no voice. so I am trying this with him (wish I could do the plugs and settings its so hard to talk though for some) output from card to mixer (in) and mic (in) and guitar )(in) with the mains out to line in and or mic in on the soundblaster is there a better way?
he needs his backing tracks to do his tunage right...

How do I perform in SL? (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

Mixing desk

Expert

HElp