“5 Tech Essentials For Starting An Audio Streaming Channel” plus 1 more

Streaming eliminates the need to download large media files, which means you save storage space for other stuff like games and documents.

One fall out is that streaming may be interrupted due to various factors, which results in negative user experience – driving your audience away.

With the right equipment though you can ensure a seamless flow. The rest depends on the quality of your content.

#1 A Decent Microphone

#2 Audio Mixer

Don’t confuse this with an audio processor. A mixer (also called audio console) takes sounds from various inputs and packs them into an audio stream.

This is pretty much what a processor does, too; with a mixer, though, you can enhance or fade out certain sounds before streaming. 

Mixers come with multiple input ports, so check to see how many you need. It’s best to go with some extra ports to take care of any future needs.

If you need to tote your mixer around for live programs, better go for a smaller size device.

If you are setting it up in a studio, you can go for the higher capability expensive devices to take care of any future requirements – budget permitting.

It is advisable to invest in a mixer that has USB output capability so that you can process the output directly into your server for streaming. 

Also, think about what you are likely to do in the near future, and include those capabilities even if you are not likely to use them anytime soon. After all, it is a big investment, and you cannot keep trading in your console.

#3 Streaming Server

According to Techopedia, nearly all personal computers are capable of serving as network servers.  

A server is, therefore, merely a computer with high-end capabilities, specialized software, and a dedicated and secure internet connection. It is used exclusively to serve web pages and other internet content. 

Most computers today come with high RAM and Hard Disk capabilities as well as high capability processors. Hence almost any computer can be used as a Server.   

This is the most important piece of equipment you will need. It’s where everything comes together. It’s also where your output resides and from where you will stream it out to your audience.

You might think that most laptops come with Intel i7 or above processors with a minimum of 8GB RAM. Many have a Solid State Drive (SSD) and multiple USB ports – so there is no cause for worry. 

However, that’s exactly where the trouble may be brewing, at least if you don’t know your tech well.

After all, you don’t want your audience hanging around while you call your tech person to fix small issues. They’ll tune out and move to a competitor channel.

#4 Software

There’s no sense investing in high-end microphones, mixers, and computers if you don’t have the right software to go with it.

The software takes your audio or video input, blends it, and converts it into a stream of data that travels over the internet and reaches your audience. 

It allows you to embed your logo, backlinks, and other stuff into your live stream. You can also insert advertisements from sponsors or clients into your stream.

In short, the streaming software helps you prepare the media for streaming, and this is what your audience will hear or see.

You can use several downloadable software, free or paid, as well as online software for streaming. 

Some considerations when selecting streaming software include the functionality and capabilities you need, the configuration of your own desktop or laptop vs. the configuration required for the software you select. 

At the very least, you should know how to install programs and troubleshoot minor problems on your OS, such as problems with devices, drivers, version compatibility, and web access. 

If you are paying for the software, check for expiry of the license, and frequency of updates to get a sense of how long you can use the software.

It may be a good idea to include some capabilities that you may not need immediately but are likely to use in the near future.

#5 Processor

A microphone processor, also known as an audio interface, is a device that takes your live sound input and sends it to your computer or device for streaming. Most units have multiple input ports. 

You can check the number of inputs you need depending on whether you are hosting an interview or a group discussion – and a USB output that plugs directly into your computer. 

While some may say an audio interface is not necessary – you can simply plug in your microphone into your computer – an interface can help maintain audio quality. So, if you are hoping for anything close to professional, an audio interface is an essential part of your setup.

Audio and video are not only an integral part of digital marketing but also gaining popularity as a medium for distance learning besides being the obvious choice for entertainment. 

Conclusion

With more and more people opting to use mobile devices, streaming has assumed great importance. We hope this guide was helpful in setting up your recording and streaming facility. Connect with us for more information.

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If you enjoy music, then a home sound system is one of the best ways to truly experience your favorite tunes. Sometimes, however, you may encounter trouble with your sound system, which can quickly become frustrating if it’s not quickly resolved.

Rather than becoming angry, though, there are some simple steps you can take to troubleshoot your sound system and identify the source of the problem. To avoid an unpleasant listening experience, here are four ways to troubleshoot your home sound system.

Try Another Source

When troubleshooting a sound system, it’s important to take an end-to-end approach to rule out all possible causes. Since the music source is the first link in the chain, that’s the best place to begin your troubleshooting.

Stop the music on the source you were using when the trouble began and change to a different source of music. If the problem persists, you know it’s not the music source that’s the problem.

Simplify

In some cases, the problem with your sound system is caused by one or more of the cables that connect the different components. To check this issue, it’s best to try and isolate each individual component to ensure they’re operating correctly. If you can isolate the speakers, amp, and any other components and see that they’re operating as they should, then there’s a good chance that the problem is with the cables.

Listen In

In some instances, the problem can easily be traced to a faulty speaker. This is the easiest type of problem to detect because, at this point, the sound has traveled through the entire sound system, so you can hear the sound, it just doesn’t sound right.

If the music sounds scratchy, crackly, or tinny, or if it sounds like something that an alien might have composed, you’re likely looking at some sort of issue with your speaker. Since the problem could be in the tweeter, crossover, or woofer, it’s important to pay attention and see if the problem is occurring in any specific frequency or in all the frequencies combined.

Clean the Power

Sometimes, issues that you have with your home sound system aren’t caused by the sound system at all. Instead, the issues are caused by electronic devices in the vicinity of the sound system, resulting in some type of interference.

If you’ve tried all the components of your sound system and haven’t found a culprit, consider unplugging nearby electronic devices and see if that clears things up. Hopefully, the culprit will be some type of device that’s easy to move, resulting in an easy fix for your problems.

A great way to make troubleshooting sound system problems easier is to have a helper. A second opinion is quite important, especially with something as subjective as sound quality. If the person helping you notices the same issues and the same improvements as you, then you can be sure that the entire process was both necessary and successful.

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