[Nfb-web] Looking to audio stream our state convention this year

Richard McGaffin rmcgaffin at snet.net
Wed Aug 12 09:56:37 UTC 2015 

Good morning; this sounds like it may cost more than we can afford to spend. I will forward your information to our convention committee and get their opinion before I go any further, thank you so much for your imput. Rich  


     On Wednesday, August 12, 2015 12:36 AM, Rachel Olivero via Nfb-web <nfb-web at nfbnet.org> wrote:
   

 I didn't mean to imply my notes were the only way to accomplish the task, just the setup I have used and have success with. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-web [mailto:nfb-web-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Horchem Gary via Nfb-web
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2015 00:04
To: NFB Webmaster's List
Cc: Horchem Gary
Subject: Re: [Nfb-web] Looking to audio stream our state convention this year

The NFB of Missouri uses a Apple MacBook with a Yeti Blue usb microphone taped to the podium Microphone. No fighting with the hotel sound system no Echo works fine so long the hotel internet connection doesn't go down.

On Aug 11, 2015 9:48 PM, Bryan Schulz via Nfb-web <nfb-web at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Wow, thanks for that description. 
> Where have I heard this before? 
> Oh yea, it's basically the same strategy someone documented and tried 
> to implement at least six years ago!
> It's much easier said than done. 
>
> If any affiliate is in need of hardware such as an Alesis 4ch. Mixer 
> w/ usb, extra xlr mic cables and a few senheiser wired and two 
> wireless microphones and table stands, send a message to b.schulz at sbcglobal.net.
> Original packaging plus padded travel bags are also available. 
> Bryan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfb-web [mailto:nfb-web-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Rachel 
> Olivero via Nfb-web
> Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2015 8:03 PM
> To: 'NFB Webmaster's List' 
> Cc: Rachel Olivero
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-web] Looking to audio stream our state convention 
> this year
>
> Richard,
>
> I'm sending this to the list since I've been asked this question a 
> couple of times, but if folks want to have a more in depth discussion, 
> please feel free to reach out off list. It's not terribly technically 
> complex to live stream a convention. The two biggest issues are 
> getting the audio feed into the computer, and a stable internet 
> connection. I've been meaning to write a guide for affiliates so 
> people will have something to reference, but here are some general considerations:
>
> 1. Audio source
> a. In order to have the cleanest sound for the audio stream, it is 
> ideal to have a direct "audio out" connection to the sound system 
> feeding the meeting room.
> b. Frequently hotel meeting rooms are configured with a couple of 
> inputs for microphones, and they use a simple amplifier to feed their 
> speakers. Unfortunately there aren't generally connections to get 
> audio out of the hotel sound system.
> c. This generally means connecting a mixer between the hotel provided 
> microphones and the hotel's audio system.
> d. Some hotels will be okay with you bringing your own equipment, some 
> will prefer that you do not. They will either rent you equipment, or 
> grudgingly allow it if you can convince them you know what you are 
> doing and won't wreck their system. (Some hotels have contracts with 
> audio/video companies to provide this type of equipment. I usually 
> have the person negotiating with the hotel include a provision that we 
> will provide some of our own equipment, but we usually rent some of it 
> from them to help offset
> things.)
> e. My general configuration looks like: 
> i. All microphones (wired and wireless) connected to the mixer.
> ii. Mixer main audio connected through a Direct Box (ground loop 
> isolater) to the microphone jack for the hotel's audio system. I 
> learned the hard way that without the direct box, there is an 
> unpleasant (putting it mildly) hum/hiss in the background.
> iii. Audio out from the mixer connected to the computer being used for 
> streaming. Depending on your mixer this could be a USB connection, or 
> a cable from the tape out jack into the line-in on the sound card. I 
> often use a USB sound card to cut down on extraneous noise some 
> laptops make. Additionally, you will want a sound card  with a true 
> line-in jack, mic level will be difficult to tweak so it's not too loud.
> 2. Audio streaming provider. 
> a. In order to "broadcast" your convention to the Internet at large 
> you will need to utilize an internet stream provider. This is 
> different from your usual internet service provider for your website; 
> they specialize in providing audio streaming.
> b. You will want to compare options including number of simultaneous 
> listeners desired, quality of the stream, etc.
> c. I often stream conventions at 96k mono. 
> d. Nationally, the NFB uses serverroom.us to host the audio for our 
> streamed events. We've had good luck with price and quality.
> c. Once you have an account, the provider will give you the necessary 
> links to publish on your website for users to launch the stream.
> 3. Internet connection
> a. If the hotel will provide it, a wired connection is optimal. 
> b. Be careful using wireless connections that require you to accept 
> terms and conditions every so often. I accidentally killed the NFB of 
> Maryland's stream for about 15 minutes one year because I was away 
> from the computer and din't realize my 24 hours of wireless had expired.
> c. If you end up using a wireless timed connection, try and time your 
> initial connection so your allotted time will expire on a break.
> 4. Streaming client
> a. Tying it all together is a piece of software that will send the 
> audio from the convention site to the streaming provider so listeners 
> can connect.
> b. I'm a fan of EdCast Reborn, which has apparently gone dark. You can 
> try AltaCast (http://altacast.com) or I'd be happy to furnish folks 
> with the binary files. It was an open source program.
> c. Whatever encoder you use, you will enter the connection information 
> your streaming host provides, select the audio source, and connect. 
> Once connected the audio from your mixer will be fed to the internet.
>
> This is just a quick overview. There are other things you can do, such 
> as record the convention audio on the same computer doing the 
> streaming, play audio files when necessary during convention sessions, and much more.
> However, if this is your first time, this will be plenty to get you started. 
>
> It might seem like a lot, but if you take things a step at a time 
> you'll be streaming in no time.
>
> Feel free to reach out if you have questions. 
>
> Good luck. 
>
> Rachel
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfb-web [mailto:nfb-web-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Richard 
> McGaffin via Nfb-web
> Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2015 13:31
> To: nfb-web at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Richard McGaffin
> Subject: [Nfb-web] Looking to audio stream our state convention this 
> year
>
> Good afternoon all;
> I'm not quite sure if I'm in the correct group, so please accept my 
> apology if I'm not. I am from the state of Connecticut, and we're 
> hoping to audio stream our state convention for the first time this year?
>
> Although I consider myself somewhat computer literate I've never 
> attempted to undertake a project such as this before. I am hoping some 
> one can guide me in the proper steps to take, and perhaps explain to me what I need to do?
> Or if not, if it's possible to lead me to the proper person who may be 
> able to assist me.
>
> Thanks
> Rich
> P.S, If you prefer to answer this question off the list here's my 
> e-mail address rmcgaffin at snet.net
>
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