Woodsong
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Streaming Setup for Windows Vista 64 bit OS PCs ??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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Norris Shepherd
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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.
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Woodsong
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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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Toby Lancaster
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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
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| Woodsong wrote: | 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? |
ditto what Toby said. The 'poor' quality could be a lot of things... maybe the bit rate on the streaming app was too low, maybe the signal from the mixer was too hot and was getting distorted or clipped, or maybe the 'line level' on the computer was too high and the signal was getting clipped or distorted there. Best way is to try and check each step to see if you can isolate the problem.
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ticious
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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
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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
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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
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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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Norris Shepherd
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what exact alesis mixer do you have?
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Woodsong
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Norris,
I have the Alesis MultiMix 8 USB, but it is still in the package it was shipped in. Never opened it, once I found out there were no drivers for Vista 64 bit.
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Norris Shepherd
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I use a multimix too, and i don't use the drivers. I just run through the line out of the mixer.
The reverbs and all that are directly on the mixer.
The only reason you would need the drivers are if you want to connect using the USB cable. I would check the Alesis website to see if they plan to release those drivers in the future.
So it's up to you.... you could use the mixer if you want, but your existing mixer might be doing the same thing already.
And dito for what ray said, you might want to look into a compressor next. Makes it easier to avoid distorting, clipping the signal. The Alesis mixer has an auxilary send that you can use to loop out to the compressor as well.
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Woodsong
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Thanks again Norris (and everyone else) for your input. I am going to keep the Alesis Multimix because it is definitely an upgrade from what I have. I didn't realize you could use it for analog output as well as through the USB. The effects will be fun to play with too. I like new toys!
Since Alesis produced a driver for Vista 32 bit, hopefully they will come out with one for the 64 bit version sometime soon...either that or I can use my work laptop occasionally which still has Windows XP.
Now I just have to get set up and experiment. 
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Fyrm Fouroux
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Woodsong, I'm just chipping in here with my twopence worth (2 cents if you are American) and I am not up to Norris's level of technical expertise by a long way. Still, I just thought I would mention what I do. I use my Alesis as a mixer (I have inputs taking my electro-acoustic guitar, my electronic piano, and two voice mics (one for where I play guitar from, and one for when I sit at my full size piano). Now, I take the left and right output quarter inch jacks from the Alesis and stuff them into an Edirol UA25 soundbox. It is the Edirol that goes into my laptop's USB socket. And in all this I manage to get an external effects loop on the Alesis for my guitar with a Korg pandoras box.
Now, the point I was going to make to you, Woodsong, is that maybe Edirol (who I think are Roland) make a more modern version of the UA25 that would plug into a 64bit laptop USB? I mean, I've had my UA25 for several years now, so it is probably a bit out of date. I just thought I would mention it as something to maybe think about? And good luck with it all! Tishe is absolutely right - I had a difficult time first getting sorted out, but once it is done, it is done. Oh, and btw, I am using a fairly good Dell PC laptop with Windows Vista (although for about 6 months I got a fairly good sound out of a pretty mediocre mid-range Toshiba). But it isn't (and definitely wasn't) 64 bit
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Woodsong
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Thank you for your advice Fyrm! I will look into the Edirol USB audio interfaces.
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