Twelve Technical and Non-Technical Tips for Live Streaming Musical Performances –
Tip 8 ‘Use a ‘VHS to DVD converter’ to Connect a Non-USB Mixer to Your Computer’
Author: Chris Thompson P. Eng.
[email protected]
613-692-5380
Date: August 19, 2020
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Ottawa Jazz Happenings or of JazzWorks Canada.
Note: Since the beginning of April I've acquired a fair depth and breadth of practical knowledge regarding live streaming musical performances, due to a) my two week technical investigation of Facebook Live and YouTube Live at the beginning of April (see 'Background' below), and b) my organizing the 'ZOLAS Live Jazz Saturday Nights ONLINE!' live stream performance series including, as required, mentoring series performers using a range of physical setups on doing live streams (see 'Background' below). Please feel free to phone me (613-692-5380) or email me ([email protected]) if you would like any advice on/assistance with live streaming your musical performance(s). My fee is a donation of whatever you feel is appropriate to the GoFundMe campaign for the ZOLAS series, every penny of which (after advertising expenses and GoFundMe's service charge) will go to covering performers' fees.
Introduction
This is the eighth in a series of twelve articles. Each article discusses in detail a technical or non-technical tip for doing live streamed musical performances. This article discusses Tip 8 ‘Use a ‘VHS to DVD converter’ to Connect a Non-USB Mixer to Your Computer’.
Tip 8 – Use a ‘VHS to DVD converter’ to Connect a Non-USB Mixer to Your Computer
This article assumes that:
Note that the built-in webcams of iPhones and iPads are high quality video cameras. In fact, as discussed in my July 15th, 2020, article ‘Twelve Technical and non-Technical Tips for Live Streaming Musical Performances – Tip 5 ‘Use a Computer For Your Live Stream’’, for Elise Letourneau's and Tim Bedner's ZOLAS live stream on May 30th, which was pre-recorded in the GigSpace Performance Studio in Ottawa, four iPhones were used as the video cameras for the multi-camera setup. The webcams in the iPhones provided just as good video quality as dedicated video cameras would have, and the iPhones were less expensive than dedicated video cameras would have been. Furthermore, even though some built-in webcams and external webcams are not as good quality, they are good enough for live streamed musical performances since the video quality for live streamed musical performances is not as important as the audio quality.
However, the built-in microphone of a computer (or the built-in microphone of an external webcam if the computer does not have a built-in webcam), tablet, or smartphone is not suitable for live streamed musical performances:
My July 29th, 2020 article 'Twelve Technical and non-Technical Tips for Live Streaming Musical Performances - Tip 7 'Use an External Audio Source For Your Live Stream'' strongly recommends using an expernal audio source - specifically one of the following:
Each of these is discussed in detail in Section 2.1. ‘Audio Source’ in my ‘Live Streaming Stay-at-Home Musical Performances – Technical User Guide’ which you can access (read only) at this URL.
Note: Since the beginning of April I've acquired a fair depth and breadth of practical knowledge regarding live streaming musical performances, due to a) my two week technical investigation of Facebook Live and YouTube Live at the beginning of April (see 'Background' below), and b) my organizing the 'ZOLAS Live Jazz Saturday Nights ONLINE!' live stream performance series including, as required, mentoring series performers using a range of physical setups on doing live streams (see 'Background' below). Please feel free to phone me (613-692-5380) or email me ([email protected]) if you would like any advice on/assistance with live streaming your musical performance(s). My fee is a donation of whatever you feel is appropriate to the GoFundMe campaign for the ZOLAS series, every penny of which (after advertising expenses and GoFundMe's service charge) will go to covering performers' fees.
Introduction
This is the eighth in a series of twelve articles. Each article discusses in detail a technical or non-technical tip for doing live streamed musical performances. This article discusses Tip 8 ‘Use a ‘VHS to DVD converter’ to Connect a Non-USB Mixer to Your Computer’.
Tip 8 – Use a ‘VHS to DVD converter’ to Connect a Non-USB Mixer to Your Computer
This article assumes that:
- the live stream (e.g. Facebook Live, YouTube Live) is initiated using a computer (Mac or PC, laptop or desktop), tablet (iPad or Android), or smartphone (iPhone or Android)
- the built-in webcam of the computer (or external webcam if the computer does not have a built-in webcam), tablet, or smartphone is used as the video source
Note that the built-in webcams of iPhones and iPads are high quality video cameras. In fact, as discussed in my July 15th, 2020, article ‘Twelve Technical and non-Technical Tips for Live Streaming Musical Performances – Tip 5 ‘Use a Computer For Your Live Stream’’, for Elise Letourneau's and Tim Bedner's ZOLAS live stream on May 30th, which was pre-recorded in the GigSpace Performance Studio in Ottawa, four iPhones were used as the video cameras for the multi-camera setup. The webcams in the iPhones provided just as good video quality as dedicated video cameras would have, and the iPhones were less expensive than dedicated video cameras would have been. Furthermore, even though some built-in webcams and external webcams are not as good quality, they are good enough for live streamed musical performances since the video quality for live streamed musical performances is not as important as the audio quality.
However, the built-in microphone of a computer (or the built-in microphone of an external webcam if the computer does not have a built-in webcam), tablet, or smartphone is not suitable for live streamed musical performances:
- It is not a musical performance quality microphone.
- It generally can’t be positioned properly with respect to the performer(s), since the positioning of the computer, tablet, or smartphone is determined by the built-in (or external) webcam.
My July 29th, 2020 article 'Twelve Technical and non-Technical Tips for Live Streaming Musical Performances - Tip 7 'Use an External Audio Source For Your Live Stream'' strongly recommends using an expernal audio source - specifically one of the following:
- USB microphone
- mixer (USB or non-USB)
- digital audio recorder
Each of these is discussed in detail in Section 2.1. ‘Audio Source’ in my ‘Live Streaming Stay-at-Home Musical Performances – Technical User Guide’ which you can access (read only) at this URL.
In the case of a USB mixer, the mixer has a USB port and is connected to the performer’s computer using a standard USB cable, with a passive or (if needed) active USB extension cable if necessary. The mixer in Image 1 is a Behringer X1204USB which I have and which, as shown in Image 1, has a USB Type B port on the back, so a male USB Type B (see Image 2) to male USB Type A (see Image 2) cable is required. These cables are commonly used to connect printers to computers, so you may have one already.
Note: The Behringer X1204USB User Manual section ‘USB Input/Output’ says “The audio sent from the mixer to a computer is identical to the MAIN MIX.”.
As discussed in my July 29th, 2020, article ‘Twelve Technical and non-Technical Tips for Live Streaming Musical Performances – Tip 7 ‘Use an External Audio Source For Your Live Stream’’, in order to use a USB microphone, mixer (USB or non-USB), or digital audio recorder as the external audio source for an iPad or iPhone:
Note that, when a USB microphone, a mixer (USB or non-USB), or a digital audio recorder is connected to an iPad or iPhone using the appropriate dongle (i.e. lightning or USB C port), the iPad or iPhone automatically switches the audio source from the internal microphone to the external audio source. This is completely transparent to any iPad or iPhone app which normally uses the internal microphone.
What if the performer’s sound system is used as the audio source for the live stream but the mixer does not have a USB port which can be connected to the performer’s computer, tablet, or smartphone as discussed above, for example the Behringer 1202FX mixer which I have? What is required is a converter that is connected to a line level output on the mixer, converts the audio signal from analogue to digital, and is connected to the performer’s computer using a standard USB cable.
Fortunately, these converters are not only relatively inexpensive, but are also quite common. Except that they are referred to as ‘VHS to DVD converters’. They are intended to be used to connect a VCR to a computer in order to allow VHS tapes, for example with family videos, to be converted to DVDs. An example is the Diamond ‘VHS to DVD Digital File Converter’ VC 500 which I have. This is available from Amazon.ca and currently (as of August 15th, 2020, when I wrote this article) Cdn$65.82 plus tax.
As discussed in my July 29th, 2020, article ‘Twelve Technical and non-Technical Tips for Live Streaming Musical Performances – Tip 7 ‘Use an External Audio Source For Your Live Stream’’, in order to use a USB microphone, mixer (USB or non-USB), or digital audio recorder as the external audio source for an iPad or iPhone:
- For an iPad or iPhone with a lightning port, to connect the USB microphone, USB mixer, or digital audio recorder to the lightning port, a female USB A to male lightning dongle such as this one from Amazon is required. Note that this dongle allows the iPad or iPhone to be charged at the same time.
- For an iPad or iPhone with a USB C port, to connect the USB microphone, USB mixer, or digital audio recorder to the USB C port, a female USB A to male USB C dongle such as this one from Amazon is required. Note that this dongle allows the iPad or iPhone to be charged at the same time.
Note: I’ve discovered from the ZOLAS live stream series that, in the case of a USB microphone or the Zoom H4n digital audio recorder (which I and some ZOLAS live stream performers have and which has been replaced by the Zoom H4n Pro), it is necessary to charge an iPad or iPhone with a USB C port at the same time. However, in the case of a USB microphone or the Zoom H4n digital audio recorder, it is not necessary to charge an iPad or iPhone with a lightning port at the same time. However, in both cases the Zoom H4n digital audio recorder must be powered using the internal batteries and/or the AC adaptor. This is curious because, in order to use the Zoom H4n digital audio recorder as an external audio source, the device is not powered on (see Section 2.1.3 ‘Digital Audio Recorder’ of my ‘Live Streaming Stay-at-Home Musical Performances – Technical User Guide’).
Note that, when a USB microphone, a mixer (USB or non-USB), or a digital audio recorder is connected to an iPad or iPhone using the appropriate dongle (i.e. lightning or USB C port), the iPad or iPhone automatically switches the audio source from the internal microphone to the external audio source. This is completely transparent to any iPad or iPhone app which normally uses the internal microphone.
What if the performer’s sound system is used as the audio source for the live stream but the mixer does not have a USB port which can be connected to the performer’s computer, tablet, or smartphone as discussed above, for example the Behringer 1202FX mixer which I have? What is required is a converter that is connected to a line level output on the mixer, converts the audio signal from analogue to digital, and is connected to the performer’s computer using a standard USB cable.
Fortunately, these converters are not only relatively inexpensive, but are also quite common. Except that they are referred to as ‘VHS to DVD converters’. They are intended to be used to connect a VCR to a computer in order to allow VHS tapes, for example with family videos, to be converted to DVDs. An example is the Diamond ‘VHS to DVD Digital File Converter’ VC 500 which I have. This is available from Amazon.ca and currently (as of August 15th, 2020, when I wrote this article) Cdn$65.82 plus tax.
The Diamond VC500 red and white RCA phono jacks (audio left and right channels) are connected to the ‘CD/TAPE OUT” RCA phono jacks on the Behringer 1202FX mixer shown in Image 3, using an RCA phono plug to RCA phono plug patch cable. The Diamond VC500’s USB cable is connected to the performer’s computer. Note that the yellow RCA phono jack is for video and, in this case, is not used.
Note: The Behringer 1202FX User Manual section ‘TAPE OUTPUT’ says “These connections are laid out as RCA connectors and are wired parallel to MAIN OUT.”.
In the case of a tablet (e.g. iPad) or a smartphone (e.g. iPhone) used to initiate the live stream, the Diamond VC500’s USB cable is connected to the tablet or smartphone in exactly the same manner as in the case of a USB mixer, as discussed above – i.e. using the appropriate dongle.
Note: I suggest using a 10 foot female USB A to male USB A extension, which will allow your mixer (USB or non-USB) to be further away from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Here’s one that’s available from amazon.ca for Cdn$10.99.
Note: The Behringer 1202FX User Manual section ‘TAPE OUTPUT’ says “These connections are laid out as RCA connectors and are wired parallel to MAIN OUT.”.
In the case of a tablet (e.g. iPad) or a smartphone (e.g. iPhone) used to initiate the live stream, the Diamond VC500’s USB cable is connected to the tablet or smartphone in exactly the same manner as in the case of a USB mixer, as discussed above – i.e. using the appropriate dongle.
Note: I suggest using a 10 foot female USB A to male USB A extension, which will allow your mixer (USB or non-USB) to be further away from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Here’s one that’s available from amazon.ca for Cdn$10.99.
Background
I got involved with live streaming at the end of March 2020 when ZOLAS restaurant and pasta shop in Ottawa’s West End asked me to help them with live streaming performances by their jazz performers in order to help support their takeout and delivery business during this very difficult time for restaurants. I had been booking the performers for their ‘Live Jazz Saturday Nights’ program for the previous two years. Being an engineer (and borderline OCD – not a job requirement, but definitely an asset), I spent a couple of weeks investigating Facebook Live and YouTube Live from a technical perspective. I set up numerous end-to-end test live streams in order to understand how the two services work, understand the differences, and identify serious and less serious issues. These tests included (successfully) using as the audio source a USB microphone, a sound system (USB and non-USB mixers), and a high quality digital audio recorder.
I’m a retired Professional Engineer (degree in Electrical Engineering). I worked for 23 years at Bell-Northern Research/Nortel in Ottawa, Canada, designing telecommunications services. I’ve been playing drums and electric bass in gigging big bands and small jazz ensembles since 1970 (fifty years!). Playing in bands kept me sane when I was in school and working, and is now (or at least it has been until this year) my major retirement activity. I’m currently the drummer in the big band Standing Room Only and was the bass player in the bossa nova trio Wave until it disbanded (pun intended) in December 2019. Having a technical background and being a gigging musician is proving very valuable for my involvement with live streaming musical performances, since I can bridge the two areas.
I’m currently organizing the ‘ZOLAS Live Jazz Saturday Nights ONLINE!’ live stream performance series. There have been ten successful live stream performances so far:
I got involved with live streaming at the end of March 2020 when ZOLAS restaurant and pasta shop in Ottawa’s West End asked me to help them with live streaming performances by their jazz performers in order to help support their takeout and delivery business during this very difficult time for restaurants. I had been booking the performers for their ‘Live Jazz Saturday Nights’ program for the previous two years. Being an engineer (and borderline OCD – not a job requirement, but definitely an asset), I spent a couple of weeks investigating Facebook Live and YouTube Live from a technical perspective. I set up numerous end-to-end test live streams in order to understand how the two services work, understand the differences, and identify serious and less serious issues. These tests included (successfully) using as the audio source a USB microphone, a sound system (USB and non-USB mixers), and a high quality digital audio recorder.
I’m a retired Professional Engineer (degree in Electrical Engineering). I worked for 23 years at Bell-Northern Research/Nortel in Ottawa, Canada, designing telecommunications services. I’ve been playing drums and electric bass in gigging big bands and small jazz ensembles since 1970 (fifty years!). Playing in bands kept me sane when I was in school and working, and is now (or at least it has been until this year) my major retirement activity. I’m currently the drummer in the big band Standing Room Only and was the bass player in the bossa nova trio Wave until it disbanded (pun intended) in December 2019. Having a technical background and being a gigging musician is proving very valuable for my involvement with live streaming musical performances, since I can bridge the two areas.
I’m currently organizing the ‘ZOLAS Live Jazz Saturday Nights ONLINE!’ live stream performance series. There have been ten successful live stream performances so far:
- Lucas Haneman and Megan Laurence on May 9
- Laura Anglade on May 16
- Roddy Ellias on May 23
- Elise Letourneau & Tim Bedner on May 30
- Mark Ferguson on June 6 (see Image 4 below)
- Diane Nalini and Adrian Cho on June 13
- Sean Duhaime and Suzie Q on June 20
- Spencer Scharf on June 27
- Kate Wyatt and Adrian Vedady on July 4th
- David Renaud on July 11th
Organizing the series includes having Zoom meetings with the performers in the series as required (some of them are self-admitted ‘luddites’, so our Zoom meetings are looong and painful, although by the end I get them ‘from zero to sixty’) to a) determine the best technical setup for their live stream performance, b) do a step-by-step walk-through of how to set up and initiate a live stream, and c) do a test end-to-end live stream. I’ve authored a detailed technical user guide ‘Live Streaming Stay-at-Home Musical Performances – Technical User Guide’ for the performers to use as a reference document after our Zoom meeting, and which you can access (read only) at this URL. Appendix B of the reference document provides twelve technical and non-technical tips on live streaming musical performances based on my technical investigation and on the experiences from the ZOLAS live stream performances so far:
Technical Tips
Non-Technical Tips
10. Start your live stream 15-30 minutes before the start of your actual performance
11. Use a tablet (e.g. iPad) or smartphone (e.g. iPhone) as a ‘viewer’
12. Don’t erase your recorded live stream
Technical Tips
- Do a TEST end-to-end live stream
- Use an Internet connection with the highest upload speed possible
- Use Facebook Live if viewers will access your live stream on Facebook
- Use Immediate (Facebook Live ‘Go Live Now’) NOT Scheduled (Facebook Live ‘Schedule a Live Video’) – Live Streams
- Use a computer for your live stream
- Use a wired Ethernet connection between your computer and your router
- Use an external audio source for your live stream
- Use a ‘VHS to DVD converter’ to connect a non-USB mixer to your computer
- Mic your performance for recording – not a live performance – when using a mixer as your external audio source
Non-Technical Tips
10. Start your live stream 15-30 minutes before the start of your actual performance
11. Use a tablet (e.g. iPad) or smartphone (e.g. iPhone) as a ‘viewer’
12. Don’t erase your recorded live stream
Comments
Bob Nesbitt, 4-November-2020 - "Wow, what a resource Chris Thompson is for technical matters! I read a number of his articles and they were truly excellent."
Davina Pearl, 16-August-2020 - "I very much appreciate all the careful thought that you put into your articles. It’s an amazing way of supporting our little community during these times. It’s heartening to read them, and to build hope that we will find some excellent ways to overcome the challenges of our new reality.”
Devon Woods, 17-June-2020 - "Very interesting and relevant series of articles by Chris Thompson."
Bob Nesbitt, 4-November-2020 - "Wow, what a resource Chris Thompson is for technical matters! I read a number of his articles and they were truly excellent."
Davina Pearl, 16-August-2020 - "I very much appreciate all the careful thought that you put into your articles. It’s an amazing way of supporting our little community during these times. It’s heartening to read them, and to build hope that we will find some excellent ways to overcome the challenges of our new reality.”
Devon Woods, 17-June-2020 - "Very interesting and relevant series of articles by Chris Thompson."