SLMC

Fyrm Fouroux · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:23 am Post subject: Streaming cheap and cheerful

When I read what Komuso, Silas and Von Johin (and other audiophiles on these pages) say about computers and audio equipment, my jaw drops. I do try to follow along, guys, but I'm definitely more comfortable with the musical and performance side of things than the technical. I had a lot of trouble getting started with streaming software and could not get Winamp and shoutcast to work, when many other folks seem to manage ok. In the end, I finished up with Simplecast and that seems to work excellently. So I was really pleased to hear Komuso speak well of it in the thread 'Cool new streaming application'.

I had to get rid of my pc for space reasons when I moved a full-size keyboard into my music den (in no sense could I accord that room the status of a studio - it is more like a little study). So I churn out my stuff to SL for my gigs on a cheap Toshiba laptop, Simplecast, and an Alesis USB mixer.Perhaps my only saving grace is that I do have one serious mic (AKG C414) and another not quite as serious mic (AKG C1000s). And I quite like my little Korg effects box in an external loop. So, what goes into my mixer is voice, electro-acoustic guitar, and occasionally the output from my Yamaha Clavinova electric piano. I used to use an Edirol UA-25 box but I put that away in the cupboard when I got the Alesis mixer.

I do regularly ask the folks at my shows to let me know what they think about the sound they are getting. I have a powerful voice and I do worry about clipping sometimes if I get a bit carried away with a song. But I have never had any complaints about my sound quality. Maybe the people who come to my gigs are all listening through the speakers of their cheap and cheerful laptops, or possibly using the earphones @ £1 they tossed into their supermarket cart almost without thinking while they were buying the Brussels sprouts, kind of thing. Actually, the feedback I get about both my voice and guitar sound quality is usually more than 'ok', it is often very positive.

So, should I maintain an 'If it's not broke, don't fix it' attitude or should I be striving for improvement here? And if so, what aspect of my system should I upgrade as the first priority? Unfortunately, I am on a somewhat limited budget, so please bear this in mind.
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Doubledown Tandino · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:29 am Post subject:

I think you should simply listen in to your own stream on your own time and preset your levels. keep your levels the same for each performance....

. and just test it one day... play and talk, and then listen to it in SL
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Komuso Tokugawa · Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 88 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Silas Scarborough · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 1219 Location: Rhode Island

ticious · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 2114 Location: Chicago

Fyrm, from your very first sound check with me and Fabs, I've been totally impressed with your sound and levels. Your inputs are always in balance and I've never heard any distortion at all.

One thing to consider, your style is much more on the acoustic end of things than some of the other folks here who are talking about their techno-baubles (no slight intended, you guys get great results outta those baubles). That makes a HUGE difference in terms of the technology you need.
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Norris Shepherd · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject:

Hey Fyrm. I've heard you play, and honestly, your levels are good, the sound of your guitar is very good, and i don't recall hearing any clipping / distortion on your voice.

You've heard my show, so you know where I'm coming from, and I'm sure you're sound quality is at par or above mine. Your guitar sound is definitely better than mine.

I've been collecting gear, not so much for SL, but because i want to get back to writing/recording music on my computer.

And I'm envious of your mics Sad

. My 'serious' mic is an Audio Technica AT2020 ($100 US). BUT it works great for me and i LOVE it compared to the 40$ radio shack one i was using when i started in SL...

Norris Shepherd · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:17 pm Post subject:

oh yeah.. on thing i forgort. You probably already do this, but i don't have any compression in my system and I worry about peaking/distorting with vocals too.

I keep the streaming application open onscreen where i can monitor the 'input levels'. The voice usually keeps it around -5 or so... but on louder parts, i just pull further away from the mic, or sing a bit away from the mic. (easier to do if you play standing up, of course... don't fall backwards if you play on your guitar stool...)

Fyrm Fouroux · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks for being so encouraging and supportive here, everyone (DD, Komuso, Silas, above). And I think you are right Tishe, my stuff is primarily acoustic and pretty straightforward. Basically I get a bit neurotic about this sort of thing and need a bit of reassurance from time to time.

I certainly agree with Norris that we (that is, Norris and I) are pretty much in the same ball park in terms of what we are doing performance-wise. And I'm going to rearrange my screen slightly so I can monitor those levels and do the Norris-Lean-Back (NLB) technique tomorrow at Sailors Cove. So if you hear a loud crash, Jo, you will know that I have been over enthusiastic with my NLBs. Of course, tomorrow is the medieval party thing, so it will be a case of: "Forsooth!! I've fallen orff the bloody stool!! Prithee call t'ambulance - Egad! Ecod!"

Oh, and I also have a backlog of songs to record, Norris. I wrote down about eight titles that need doing at the weekend. For me that means taking a huge deep breath and blowing the dust off the Cakewalk Sonar manual. And then I have to give myself a very serious talking to about not getting annoyed when I can't work out how to do things with it or when I click the wrong button and erase everything. But once I get into the swing of it, I usually have fun. Very Happy

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Tommy CUlt · Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 163

ty ty ty Frym - you asked one of those questions that probably others want to ask lol...like ME !

I dont have alot of stuff - and what I have is not really top shelf. I have a mixer..a Tapco mix 100 that was cheap, I have a EV N/D267a mic that is new, and a Shure PG48 mic that i was using for vocals - got the EV for my steel string, but not used it for that yet cause i like it for vocals now lol, and I have a BOSS micro BR digital recorder...now, I know my budget for stuff, so I wont be offended if it is all crap lol....but hey it seems to work for me. I LOVE the micro BR, so I will be offended if others think that is crap LOL...(not really Wink

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I have never used a mac, but I did buy an IPOD so that apple did not go broke and all the mac lovers can continue to love their macs Laughing

Frym, reading the techo stuff leaves me feeling rather lost, but I just plug my guitar and mic into the mixer and join all the wires in the right places and it seems to work. But this I can say - with the micro BR (which has a pretty damn good built in mic) I can play 'unplugged' and broadcast with one wire from the BR into the laptop via the SAM broadcaster. The BR has all kinds of drum effects, guitar effects, and lots of stuff I am still learning, but I do think for anyone that has nothing, it is not a bad place to start. I am sure i will find out soon if I am talking through my BUTT - which seems was the topic here anyway Razz

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Norris Shepherd · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:10 pm Post subject: