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  1. Member
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    So we do a podcast and just upgraded out equipment. We bought a Behringer mixer(http://www.pssl.com/!Koq!CwYa!U16n99Mu7-qiA!/Behringer-1204USB-Xenyx-12-Ch-USB-PA-Rec-Mixer) and some CL2 pencil condensor microphones. http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1902&brandID=2 We also upgraded our software to Adobe Audition. In fact we have all the Adobe products.

    We want to start streaming our shows live but I have a couple questions since we've never done this before. Using Adobe Audition, how do I go about including somebody located our of state, via Skype (or some other program) in our podcast. In essence, they'd be like a radio caller for the whole show. Also, does anybody know how to do sound effects and music just on the fly? It's one thing to be editing the audio later(which we'll also do) and just insert the clips, but it seems entirely different to do it live.

    Can anybody offer any advice to somebody who is VERY VERY new to mixers and doing live shows?

    Thanks!
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  2. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by hellfire45 View Post
    So we do a podcast and just upgraded out equipment. We bought a Behringer mixer(http://www.pssl.com/!Koq!CwYa!U16n99Mu7-qiA!/Behringer-1204USB-Xenyx-12-Ch-USB-PA-Rec-Mixer) and some CL2 pencil condensor microphones. http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1902&brandID=2 We also upgraded our software to Adobe Audition. In fact we have all the Adobe products.

    We want to start streaming our shows live but I have a couple questions since we've never done this before. Using Adobe Audition, how do I go about including somebody located our of state, via Skype (or some other program) in our podcast. In essence, they'd be like a radio caller for the whole show. Also, does anybody know how to do sound effects and music just on the fly? It's one thing to be editing the audio later(which we'll also do) and just insert the clips, but it seems entirely different to do it live.

    Can anybody offer any advice to somebody who is VERY VERY new to mixers and doing live shows?

    Thanks!
    Easiest way to handle a caller is with Skype on a separate computer fed to the external mixer. What works best for me is to do all the mic audio mixes on the external mixer then feed mixer audio to the streaming computer for upload. You could also insert additional audio with Audition if the computer can handle that + upload encoding at the same time.

    I'd recommend you pre-record your intro and bumpers. What other effects do you need to do?
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    Thanks for the reply ed. As I am pretty new to this stuff still, I'm having a difficult time understand the hardware you're using to get the person calling in to record simultaneously with the rest of us.

    Also, I'd be doing stuff like music or maybe a couple sound effects but I'm not sure how to get these to play so people can hear them while we also record using audition...
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  4. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by hellfire45 View Post
    Thanks for the reply ed. As I am pretty new to this stuff still, I'm having a difficult time understand the hardware you're using to get the person calling in to record simultaneously with the rest of us.

    Also, I'd be doing stuff like music or maybe a couple sound effects but I'm not sure how to get these to play so people can hear them while we also record using audition...
    I'm not an Audition user so can't help much there. What hardware do you have to feed Audition beyond one computer mic/line input? If that is all it should be your Behringer.

    Learn Skype. That is your easiest way to bring in a remote contributor. As said above, I find it easiest to dedicate a computer (e.g. a laptop) to the Skype call in, then feed that computer's output to the Behringer along with your local mics. That way you can set levels and equalization manually by input.

    You also need a so called mix minus on an aux bus (all mic's except the remote caller) return feed to the caller which you feed to the laptop mic/line input. That way the caller doesn't get delayed feedback of his voice which is confusing. This is all standard radio stuff and can be done on the Behringer mixer.
    http://radiomagonline.com/tutorials_tips/tutorials/what-mix-minus/
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mix-minus

    In total you will be creating two uplinks, your main program and the Skype return to the caller from the laptop.

    If you need to add a second external caller, add another laptop but you will also need to use another mixer input and a second aux bus for the #2 return feed.


    PS: Just looked closer at the Behringer 1204USB Xenyx. It can feed your Audition over USB so that leaves the computer analog input free. It also has enough aux buses for return feeds. You may need to hire a radio engineer for an hour or so to set it up and train you.
    Last edited by edDV; 13th Jan 2011 at 19:35.
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  5. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Also the remote user should be using a quality microphone or headset.

    A minimal headset is the Plantronics 400 DSP
    http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/products/cat640035/cat1430032/audio-400-dsp
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    Thanks again for the reply Ed.

    So basically, I need to have a second laptop feeding audio the mixers 3rd port(we already have 2 mics in use) and that in turn will be fed to our main computer for live stream and recording?

    If we want to have sound effects/music etc...will we need a 2nd computer going into the mixers 4th port?

    What kind of cables/hook ups are best for taking a computer to the mixer?
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  7. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by hellfire45 View Post
    Thanks again for the reply Ed.

    So basically, I need to have a second laptop feeding audio the mixers 3rd port(we already have 2 mics in use) and that in turn will be fed to our main computer for live stream and recording?
    Basically yes.

    Who suggested you buy this mixer? These Behringer mixers are essentially low cost knock offs of Mackie who a decade+ ago made low cost high performance affordable mixers with pro features. Mackie moved up price allowing Behringer to slip in below them.

    Under the Mackie numbering system these would be an 802 (4 eq mic + 2 stereo line inputs with 2 mono aux buses). The main stereo output goes to an A/D and USB bus to your computer.

    The second laptop running Skype is for the remote caller connection. Did you not understand the concept? Especially the need for mix-minus?


    Originally Posted by hellfire45 View Post
    If we want to have sound effects/music etc...will we need a 2nd computer going into the mixers 4th port?

    What kind of cables/hook ups are best for taking a computer to the mixer?
    That is one way to do it. Simple RCA white/red to stereo phone plugs for mixer input 5 or 6. There are other ways.

    This mixer only has analog inputs so it would be fed by a third computer's analog audio output or a classic cassette/cd player for recorded music/open/bumpers.

    Sorry, but your response indicates even more need for professional help If you aren't following so far, it only gets worse.

    You need to book that radio engineer for a day.

    By "radio engineer" I only mean the the night shift technician running a local radio station mixer board but he needs to understand taking a caller. That guy will most likely work for beer.

    He/She probably won't understand Skype but should understand a mix-minus aux bus return. They use something called a "hybrid" for taking a call which you probably can't afford and don't need. You will need to learn Skype yourself.


    PS: If you need a Skype lesson, ask a high school kid.
    Last edited by edDV; 14th Jan 2011 at 02:12.
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    Yea, I don't really understand Mix Minus. I think I got most of the other stuff. I just sounds like you gotta have a different computer for each unique input you want to have.
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  9. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by hellfire45 View Post
    Yea, I don't really understand Mix Minus. I think I got most of the other stuff. I just sounds like you gotta have a different computer for each unique input you want to have.
    This isn't a problem for the people in the studio because they don't get delay in their headphones.

    You need a different computer for each external caller for several reasons.

    1. Skype can get unstable and you may need to reboot the computer. A separate computer means you don't have to go off the air to reboot Skype.

    2. Multiple programs running on your uplink computer increases the probability that machine will crash. Keep it simple.

    3. It is possible to do it all from one PC but multi-input/output audio cards are expensive, difficult to configure and maintain. Also Skype does not support multiple instances of the program at once. Not for the newbie. Keep it simple with separate computers for each Skype call until you can hire a full time engineer.

    The reason you need a mix-munus return to the remote caller is you don't want him/her getting a delay of their own voice coming back to them. It is impossible for most people to talk when getting delay of their own voice. It is important they hear everyone else to carry on a conversation. This assumes they are listening on headphones. If they were listening on speakers your whole show would go into feedback howls as the delayed return feed is picked up by the caller's microphone.

    The Behringer mixer can handle up to two aux bus mix-minus return feeds but these are difficult to set up for a newbie.
    Last edited by edDV; 14th Jan 2011 at 16:20.
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  10. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Here is the quick overview

    Your two 'house" mics go to inputs 1 and 2. You set compression and EQ with the blue knobs for each input. You bring in the Skype caller on input 3. You bring in other sources for music, etc. The sliders set the on-air levels for each input.

    The red knobs set the levels that the Skype caller hears on his aux return feed. You turn his red knob (#3) all the way down so he doesn't hear himelf. That creates the mix-minus on the first aux bus send. The aux returns are not being used.

    That is the basic guide. The mixer is capable of much more.

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  11. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Note that even when the program feed is faded to silent or when playing music, the Skype caller will still hear you and the other mics pottted up on the aux bus.
    Last edited by edDV; 14th Jan 2011 at 18:45.
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    Thanks edDV, that's what I thought. I am starting a podcast as well and want to keep the budget reasonable.

    My choices where:

    Pre-record the intro and outro to my podcast, pause and save. Then start the Skype call, when finished put the audio into the podcast all with Audacity (2.0).

    Get an external USB mixer, affordable dynamic mic (noisy stuff around the house), use my HTPC for the Skype audio call (while not recording a tv show) and my laptop for music, intros, outros and recording to disk.

    Option 1 not that easy. Option 2 is more expensive but easier to record, edit, etc.

    Thanks for the mixed-minus explanation!
    Last edited by dj4monie; 6th Sep 2012 at 22:24.
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