CogDog Guide to Nicecasting

I’m a huge fan of Rogue Amoeba’s streaming software for OS X, Nicecast, and have used it before for broadcasting for projects at NMC. With the zaniness of free form live broadcasting in the ds106 radio space, people are sorting out the various live streaming tools and learning as we go.

This is not going to be a comprehensive guide to Nicecast- actually their built in help is rather detailed, and it is where I went to school. Read the whole thing. Streaming music from your computer is easy if you use Nicecast to stream from an application (say iTunes). This guide covers how to set it up when you want to mix, say audio and music, as I have used for Scary Stories from Stawberry.

And I am not an expert! I defer to a real one on sound software.
Your Mileage Will Vary. Caveat Emptor. Batteries Not Included.

The Setup
In iTunes, I create a playlist for the audio I want to use- this would be if you want to DJ, or a list of creepy sounds you want to use. This is cleaner than trying to manually switching songs.

You must set up headphones to monitor the output- do not leave your speakers open, unless you want to stream bone breaking feedback. If I am the only voice, then I just use my USB headset; if in the case when I broadcast with Bryan Alexander, I used the built in mic on my MacBookPro (which also created more room like effects), but plugged the speaker end of my headsets into the headphone jack (I have a Sennheiser that allows my to use USB or just the plugs).

Test Locally
You definitely want to have phones to monitor your output as you stream, even if there is echo.

Use Built in server to test Nicecast

Nicecast has a built in server that can stream over your local network. I use this to test my setup and walk through the effects I want to use. It is the best way to make sure you dont flub dead air on the live stream. Switch over to the settings you added for your streaming server before you go live.

In Nicecast, you can edit the description that goes out in your stream via the Info tab of the broadcast window.

Edit the Info for your stream

A key is understanding the volume controls. The little slider below the broadcast button is NOT your outbound audio (that is controlled by the system volume on your computer or audio source). This slider is merely the volume for your monitor, so if you are not using headphones (BAD IDEA), turn it way down. I keep mine low, so I can just hear enough as I broadcast to let me know the audio is playing.

Pay attention to the levels bar to monitor your outgoing volume.

Mixing
There are two ways to mix music and voice- it is six of one and half a dozen of the other. I set my Nicecast source as my audio (it can be the default audio, which is the mic I have set in my Sound controls). We will see how to mix in iTunes later.

Using Audio as Source

That means my primary source is my audio stream. While you could set it to your music source (and use a Voice Over effect as shown below), this way makes it easier for you to add effects to your audio.

The effects window is where the magic happens. This is total geekery and erector set all rolled into one. It is also the same interface you get in Audio Hijack- the hijacking function is built into Nicecast, so I dont think you need the extra software unless you are doing something more complex (and I tihnk you could go beyond one external source with some soundflower channels).

Nicecast Effects

The left side features overall controls. You can bump up the total gain with the top widget (which is why I may have been blasting at 200%- there is a quick mute button if you need it).

The Wet/Dry mix lets you control how much of the effects are applied to your source (in my case audio)- if you build something elaborate, you can make the effects go away by flipping to the dry side- in my case, it’s all Wet.

And it is always worth turning on the levels display.

The green line is the path of your source- (Voice for me). Anywhere you click on a square allows you to add an effect (select from t e menu from the top of the widget). There are a lot to choose from (see the Nicecast manual Effects Index for a run down). I cannot tell you what they all do- experiment! (using built in server).

I’ve used the Reverb as well as some distortion effects. For each, there is usually an Editor window that lets you play with sliders to control the effect. The knobs allow you to control the in/out volumes (they are tricky to turn with a mouse)- the docs recommend keeping them in the middle.

A key feature is the bypass button- this allows you to turn effects on/off. So I can set up crazy reverb and space effects, and flip them on and off as needed.

The key, key, key one is that application mixer. This allows you (via the editor button shown above) to select the application you want to mix in, for me it is iTunes. You have to remember to click the Hijack button, so Nicecast can use it (see? You do not need extra software!). It typically makes you quit/relaunch iTunes.

Note that once an app hijacked, you cannot hear itunes when you play it there- you have to use the Release button to let that control go. You can monitor by running Nicecast through the built-in server

You then just use the cross fade button to smooth between your voice (Source) and music (Application). If you want background audio, I keep it about 20% in from the left- and fade to the far right to play the music only.

The trick is of course arranging all the windows to control things- mostly you need the broadcast window and the effects window up and front. If you are just running a playlist in itunes, you d not need to touch it once you start playing it (remember spacebar is your friend in most audio apps- once to start again to stop).

Lastly, do not forgot to bring up the Archive window- this will give you your own local recording of the stream! Click the Archive button once right after you click on the Broadcast button, and you are set to have your own copy of the live stream– cause no one else is recording!

In fact, doing a Built-in stream with archiving is a great way to run a rehearsal if you are doing all kinds of crazy stuff.

Bottom line, you can test everything via the built-in server and not fart around on the live stream,

And that’s how I run my show- always room for suggestions, I learn as I do.

UPDATE: Sept 25, 2011 Some new tips on using the Voiceover effect instead of the Application mixer. See http://cogdogblog.com/2011/09/25/son-of-nicecasting-tutorial-now-with-voiceover/

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