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BE Album - Live Broadcast Series

by Hawke Robinson last modified Mar 21, 2016 12:53 AM
I have been experimenting with live broadcast improvisational performances from my home studio, over Google+ Hangout. Here are links to those performances...

Let me know if you would like more of these live broadcasts. If enough people like it, then I will set up an actual schedule so people can plan to watch them live (if you wish).

NOTE: Listening to this without the video, I can hear the bandwidth dropping. I need to consider two things for upcoming broadcasts:
1. Reset the router & wifi before beginning
2. Simultaneously record locally so that recorded audio is better quality than the broadcast audio, for later distribution.

Each performance the audio improved considerably from the previous one, though each time I am improvising new music...

 

Test 1

 

 

Just testing broadcasting over Google Plus Hangouts On Air from my studio.
Equipment & Software covered:
* Asus ROG laptop, OpenSuse 13.2 64 bit, Bitwig 1.3.6, with Arturia KeyLab49 keyboard midi controller.
* MacBookPro 15, with Roli Seabridge RISE 25, with Roli Dashboard & Equator, output to Tascam US-2000, to Alesis 1622 analog 16 channel mixer.
* Dell XPS 13" NV laptop dual core, originally came from Dell with Ubuntu, but now running OpenSuse 12.3, connected to the Casio Previa PX-310 keyboard via Roland USB Midi Interface UM-ONE, with audio output to Alesis mixer, and using ZynSubFX software and virtual instrument played by the Casio.
* Alienware M11xR2, Windows 7, Vocaloid, Arturia Analog Experience The Factory, with Laboratory Factorary 5000, on preset "Wheel" by G. Darcy emulating the MINI V, analog output from there to input port 7 on the Tascam US-2000.
-- So, listening to this now that it was automatically uploaded to the Synthetic Zen channel, the webcam speaker was definitely being over-driven, especially by the bass. I will try a future test with the audio mix output of the Alesis mixer, directly to the mic input port of the laptop doing the webcam broadcast, and see if that gives it a cleaner and more controlled audio, since the music is completely over-driving the poor QuickCam 920C built-in microphone.

 

 

Test 2 (not broadcast/saved)

 

 

 

Test 3

 

 

3rd test for trying to broadcast live performance music from the studio of Hawke Robinson (Synthetic Zen). Still just testing.
Just testing broadcasting over Google Plus Hangouts On Air from my studio.
Equipment & Software covered:
* Asus ROG laptop, OpenSuse 13.2 64 bit, Bitwig 1.3.6, with Arturia KeyLab49 keyboard midi controller.
* MacBookPro 15, with Roli Seabridge RISE 25, with Roli Dashboard & Equator, output to Tascam US-2000, to Alesis 1622 analog 16 channel mixer.
* Dell XPS 13" NV laptop dual core, originally came from Dell with Ubuntu, but now running OpenSuse 12.3, connected to the Casio Previa PX-310 keyboard via Roland USB Midi Interface UM-ONE, with audio output to Alesis mixer, and using ZynSubFX software and virtual instrument played by the Casio.
* Alienware M11xR2, Windows 7, Vocaloid, Arturia Analog Experience The Factory, with Laboratory Factorary 5000, on preset "Wheel" by G. Darcy emulating the MINI V, analog output from there to input port 7 on the Tascam US-2000.
-- So, listening to this now that it was automatically uploaded to the Synthetic Zen channel, the webcam speaker was definitely being over-driven, especially by the bass. I will try a future test with the audio mix output of the Alesis mixer, directly to the mic input port of the laptop doing the webcam broadcast, and see if that gives it a cleaner and more controlled audio, since the music is completely over-driving the poor QuickCam 920C built-in microphone. Microsoft Surface Pro 2 with Windows 10

 

 

 Test 4

 

 

 

Test #4 in broadcasting live music from my studio. Feedback appreciated. If you would like to see/hear more music broadcast live like this, please let me know. 4th test for trying to broadcast live performance music from the studio of Hawke Robinson (Synthetic Zen). Still just testing. This time also testing acoustic guitar, Yamaha CG-120 classical guitar. Just testing broadcasting over Google Plus Hangouts On Air from my studio. Audio is getting better with each test.... 3rd test for trying to broadcast live performance music from the studio of Hawke Robinson (Synthetic Zen). Still just testing.
Just testing broadcasting over Google Plus Hangouts On Air from my home basement studio.
Equipment & Software covered:
* Asus ROG laptop, OpenSuse 13.2 64 bit, Bitwig 1.3.6, with Arturia KeyLab49 keyboard midi controller.
* MacBookPro 15, with Roli Seabridge RISE 25, with Roli Dashboard & Equator, output to Tascam US-2000, to Alesis 1622 analog 16 channel mixer.
* Dell XPS 13" NV laptop dual core, originally came from Dell with Ubuntu, but now running OpenSuse 12.3, connected to the Casio Previa PX-310 keyboard via Roland USB Midi Interface UM-ONE, with audio output to Alesis mixer, and using ZynSubFX software and virtual instrument played by the Casio.
* Alienware M11xR2, Windows 7, Vocaloid, Arturia Analog Experience The Factory, with Laboratory Factorary 5000, on preset "Wheel" by G. Darcy emulating the MINI V, analog output from there to input port 7 on the Tascam US-2000.
-- So, listening to this now that it was automatically uploaded to the Synthetic Zen channel, the webcam speaker was definitely being over-driven, especially by the bass. I will try a future test with the audio mix output of the Alesis mixer, directly to the mic input port of the laptop doing the webcam broadcast, and see if that gives it a cleaner and more controlled audio, since the music is completely over-driving the poor QuickCam 920C built-in microphone. Microsoft Surface Pro 2 with Windows 10.

 

 

 

 

Test 5

 

 

The fifth test of broadcasting live music from the Synthetic Zen studio, over Google+ Hangout. Test #4 was with "voice audio", now will try with "studio audio", hopefully better quality. Each test has improved significantly over the previous tests. 

Hiss and hum of analog static and interference.

 

 

Test 6

 

 

6th test of broadcasting live from Synthetic Zen Studio over Google+ Hangout. This time with "Audio" instead of "voice" setting, and with a digital USB input instead of the microphone jack (hopefully reduce the hiss.
What do you think?
Equipment Information:
Primary difference from other tests is that instead of plugging an analog out from the Alesis 1622 into the analog microphone jack of the Asus ROG, this time it the input from the Alesis to the Asus is with the Ubisoft Hercules Rocksmith USB Guitar Adapter, plugged into Asus ROG running OpenSuse 13.2.
* 16 channel Alesis 1622 (analog) single master out plugged into that Ubisoft.
Here is the rest of the equipment:
* Plugged into MacBook Pro 15 running Mainstage 3 with Arturia KeyLab49 keyboard midi controller and
* Roli Seabridge RISE 25, with Roli Dashboard & Equator
* Macbook output to Tascam US-2000, to Alesis 1622 analog 16 channel mixer.
* Dell XPS 13" NV laptop dual core, originally came from Dell with Ubuntu, but now running OpenSuse 12.3, connected to the Casio Previa PX-310 keyboard via Roland USB Midi Interface UM-ONE, with audio output to Alesis mixer, and using ZynSubFX and Rosegarden software and virtual instrument played by the Casio.
* Alienware M11xR2, Windows 7, Vocaloid, Arturia Analog Experience The Factory, with Laboratory Factorary 5000, using the 2 headphone jacks out to input porst 7 & 8 on the Tascam US-2000.
Listening UPDATE: I can still here a little bit of some kind of A/C or similar line noise, but this is a HUGE improvement over the previous tests!
ANOTHER UPDATE: There are the occasional high pitched squeals that sound like some sort of microphone feedback, not sure what system was causing that, more polishing to do then.

 

 

 

Test 7

 

 

 

7th test of broadcasting music live from the Synthetic Zen studio over Google+ Hangout. Each one has improved the sound quality significantly, just trying to fine tune it now.
Equipment Information:
Primary difference from other tests is that instead of plugging an analog out from the Alesis 1622 into the analog microphone jack of the Asus ROG, this time it the input from the Alesis to the Asus is with the Ubisoft Hercules Rocksmith USB Guitar Adapter, plugged into Asus ROG running OpenSuse 13.2.
* 16 channel Alesis 1622 (analog) single master out plugged into that Ubisoft.
Here is the rest of the equipment:
* Plugged into 2012 MacBook Pro 15, OS X 10.9.5, running Logic Pro X, , Alchemy & Arturia V 5000 plugins, and ROLI Equator plugins.
* Arturia KeyLab49 keyboard midi controller connected to Mac via USB.
* Roli Seabridge RISE 25, with Roli Dashboard & Equator connected to Mac via USB
* Macbook USB output to Tascam US-2000, to Alesis 1622 analog 16 channel mixer.
* Dell XPS 13" NV laptop dual core, originally came from Dell with Ubuntu Linux, but now running OpenSuse 12.3,using ZynSubAddFX and Rosegarden software and virtual instrument played by the Casio, connected to the Casio Previa PX-310 keyboard via Roland USB Midi Interface UM-ONE, with audio output to
* 16 channel 1990 Alesis 1622 mixer (picked up for free (Professor at EWU gave it to me), though did need $10 power supply).
* Alienware M11xR2, Windows 7, Vocaloid, Arturia Analog Experience The Factory, with Laboratory Factory 5000, using the 2 headphone jacks out to input ports 7 & 8 on the Tascam US-2000, and again back into the Alesis, which is then connected via USB to the Asus ROG.
http://www.syntheticzen.com

 

Test 8

 

 

 

 The 8th test of broadcasting live music over G+ Hangout from Synthetic Zen's Home Studio. This time without the analog Alesis 1622, and going straight from Tascam to Linux system via 1/4" jack outputs to USB, One is Alesis USB, the other is UBISOFT USB. 7th test of broadcasting music live from the Synthetic Zen studio over Google+ Hangout. Each one has improved the sound quality significantly, just trying to fine tune it now. Equipment Information: Primary difference from other tests is that instead of plugging an analog out from the Alesis 1622 into the analog microphone jack of the Asus ROG, this time it the input from the Alesis to the Asus is with the Ubisoft Hercules Rocksmith USB Guitar Adapter, plugged into Asus ROG running OpenSuse 13.2. * 16 channel Alesis 1622 (analog) single master out plugged into that Ubisoft. Here is the rest of the equipment: * Plugged into 2012 MacBook Pro 15, OS X 10.9.5, running Logic Pro X, , Alchemy & Arturia V 5000 plugins, and ROLI Equator plugins. * Arturia KeyLab49 keyboard midi controller connected to Mac via USB. * Roli Seabridge RISE 25, with Roli Dashboard & Equator connected to Mac via USB * Macbook USB output to Tascam US-2000, to Alesis 1622 analog 16 channel mixer. * Dell XPS 13" NV laptop dual core, originally came from Dell with Ubuntu Linux, but now running OpenSuse 12.3,using ZynSubAddFX and Rosegarden software and virtual instrument played by the Casio, connected to the Casio Previa PX-310 keyboard via Roland USB Midi Interface UM-ONE, with audio output to * 16 channel 1990 Alesis 1622 mixer (picked up for free (Professor at EWU gave it to me), though did need $10 power supply). * Alienware M11xR2, Windows 7, Vocaloid, Arturia Analog Experience The Factory, with Laboratory Factory 5000, using the 2 headphone jacks out to input ports 7 & 8 on the Tascam US-2000, and again back into the Alesis, which is then connected via USB to the Asus ROG. http://www.syntheticzen.com

 

Test 9

 

 

 

This had some nice music in it, but I kept fumble-fingering it, has potential if I work on it in the future to be much better.

Google+ Completely reset everything, so this test was crappy.

I had audio and video all configured, then when I hit "Start Broadcast" it reset everything, and I missed that the camera was off too, it recorded the Surface Pro video instead of the other laptop and webcam, sheesh!

Sorry, I will try a better one next time with Test 10.

I might move to Twitch or something else if Google keeps messing with me.

Also probably my worst performance, was very fumble fingered today, I think I perform best around 11 pm to 2 am.

This recording was around 11 am, and just didn't have any coordination. Sorry.

More upbeat music (most of the previous sessions were variations of mellow).

This is session 9 of the tests for setting up the studio to broadcast live music over Google+ Hangout.

The broadcast in session 8 was nice and clean.

This time attempting to simultaneously record the digital input locally so that bandwidth fluctuations do not impact the recorded version negatively (for potential album inclusion later).

 

 

Test 10

Never really worked properly, very little music. not worth bothering.

 

 

 

 

Test 11

 

 

Music begins about 4 minutes in.
Soundcloud here: https://soundcloud.com/syntheticzen/live-music-broadcast-session-11-test-synthetic-zen-home-studio
Youtube video of this live improved broadcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=injQT1IP_ck -- This has both mellow and has more up beat music the than previous mellower sessions, though there is some darkness to parts as well. This covers multiple genres as different pieces are played. Enjoy! This is session test 11, broadcasting live music over Google+ Hangout. See the previous tests here: http://syntheticzen.com/blog/be-album-live-broadcast-series  Going to try simultaneously recording the local stream, before it goes over Internet, hoping to get better quality audio locally, but still do live at same time over G+ Hangout. Will see if it works or now. Enjoy!
Equipment information:
* Plugged into 2012 MacBook Pro 15, OS X 10.9.5, running Logic Pro X, , Alchemy & Arturia V 5000 plugins, and ROLI Equator plugins.
* Arturia KeyLab49 keyboard midi controller connected to Mac via USB.
* Roli Seabridge RISE 25, with Roli Dashboard & Equator connected to Mac via USB
* Macbook USB output to Tascam US-2000, to Alesis 1622 analog 16 channel mixer.
* Dell XPS 13" NV laptop dual core, originally came from Dell with Ubuntu Linux, but now running OpenSuse 12.3,using ZynSubAddFX and Rosegarden software and virtual instrument played by the Casio, connected to the Casio Previa PX-310 keyboard via Roland USB Midi Interface UM-ONE, with audio output to
* 16 channel 1990 Alesis 1622 mixer (picked up for free (Professor at EWU gave it to me), though did need $10 power supply).
* Alienware M11xR2, Windows 7, Vocaloid, Arturia Analog Experience The Factory, with Laboratory Factory 5000, using the 2 headphone jacks out to input ports 7 & 8 on the Tascam US-2000, and again back into the Alesis, which is then connected via USB to the Asus ROG.
* Arturia Spark v2 for Drum machine.
http://www.syntheticzen.comhis is more up beat music the than previous mellower sessions. Music begins around 4:00 minutes. The music covers multiple genres, and is all improvised. Youtube video is heavily annotated with hardware & software specs, plus other technical issues and information. Enjoy! This is session test 11, broadcasting live music over Google+ Hangout. See the previous tests here: http://syntheticzen.com/blog/be-album-live-broadcast-series Going to try simultaneously recording the local stream, before it goes over Internet, hoping to get better quality audio locally, but still do live at same time over G+ Hangout. Will see if it works or now. Enjoy!