How to stream audio at a small, outdoor socially distant event.

[jacf]

Somebody was suggesting that doing small outdoor events might be the best way ahead later in the summer and we were wondering if there was any way of streaming the audio so people could maintain a significant distance from each other and the performer (and maybe even listening in their cars like at a drive-in movie?) I've been thinking about it and not sure what you'd need to make it work. I suspect Bluetooth is too local to be much help. Some kind of streaming over wifi or mobile signal maybe? Could that be done roughly in sync with the performance or would there be a real lag? Any thoughts?

[MaurysMusic]

Originally Posted by jacf

Somebody was suggesting that doing small outdoor events might be the best way ahead later in the summer and we were wondering if there was any way of streaming the audio so people could maintain a significant distance from each other and the performer (and maybe even listening in their cars like at a drive-in movie?) I've been thinking about it and not sure what you'd need to make it work. I suspect Bluetooth is too local to be much help. Some kind of streaming over wifi or mobile signal maybe? Could that be done roughly in sync with the performance or would there be a real lag? Any thoughts?

It wouldn’t solve the lag (matter of fact it would be a lot of lag) but you could stream to YouTube and have listeners watching you on you tube in their cars.

[Marty C]

Not sure how, but many churches are using an FM radio transmitter for this purpose. Everyone in their cars listens through a specific channel on their car stereo. Not sure how far the reach for this is. Maybe a few hundred feet at most, but it would probably work for your purpose.

[jacf]

Yep. I guess some kind of FM transmission could be the answer. Has anyone on the forum ever done anything like this?

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by jacf

Somebody was suggesting that doing small outdoor events might be the best way ahead later in the summer and we were wondering if there was any way of streaming the audio so people could maintain a significant distance from each other and the performer (and maybe even listening in their cars like at a drive-in movie?) I've been thinking about it and not sure what you'd need to make it work. I suspect Bluetooth is too local to be much help. Some kind of streaming over wifi or mobile signal maybe? Could that be done roughly in sync with the performance or would there be a real lag? Any thoughts?

Hi jacf

Your community opening-back-up guidelines and noise permits may be your friends.

I have a group of friends who just set their band up (musicians socially distanced) at a house with a huge yard & nice lawn…and people brought lawn chairs and appropriately distanced themselves all over the lawn. A moderate PA handled the entire affair, and people enjoyed themselves. The group was about 50 people watching at any given time.

I have not experienced any kind of streaming that doesn't have noticeable lag. When I'm zooming in one room (to the same zoom meeting) as my wife in the next room (in the same meeting), when either she or I talk, there is a substantial lag.

Would you attend a 'concert' or other outing where you had to sit in your car and experience the music on either your phone or car radio? I would NOT.

[jacf]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi jacf

Your community opening-back-up guidelines and noise permits may be your friends.

I have a group of friends who just set their band up (musicians socially distanced) at a house with a huge yard & nice lawn…and people brought lawn chairs and appropriately distanced themselves all over the lawn. A moderate PA handled the entire affair, and people enjoyed themselves. The group was about 50 people watching at any given time.

I have not experienced any kind of streaming that doesn't have noticeable lag. When I'm zooming in one room (to the same zoom meeting) as my wife in the next room (in the same meeting), when either she or I talk, there is a substantial lag.

Would you attend a 'concert' or other outing where you had to sit in your car and experience the music on either your phone or car radio? I would NOT.

Different folks and different cultures require different solutions, I guess. I'd be very happy to just stick a PA up and play, but that won't work so often where I am. And I think people will, rightly, be reluctant to be packed together in small spaces (and where I'm planning being, the places will be small). So we're looking at what other options that might at least allow us a chance to take music out to rural communities in a way that everyone feels comfortable with. It might just be too difficult but I'm getting a few useful suggestions so I'm feeling that there might be some options to explore.

[Akousticplyr]

Around me the bars are back open and gigs have resumed.

QSC mixers and speakers have a distance delay feature that allows all speakers to be synced across large venues. Might have an option like that in your particular settings?

[jacf]

Originally Posted by Akousticplyr

Around me the bars are back open and gigs have resumed.

QSC mixers and speakers have a distance delay feature that allows all speakers to be synced across large venues. Might have an option like that in your particular settings?

Here in Scotland, we're some way away from having gigs back up and running. :/

[Akousticplyr]

Originally Posted by jacf

Here in Scotland, we're some way away from having gigs back up and running. :/

Sorry to hear that. I wasn't trying to be obtuse, apologies as well.

What sound gear (mixer/PA) are you currently using?

[jacf]

No worries. It's probably for the best. In Scotland, there seems to be a general feeling that our Government is making a pretty good effort to try and keep us all safe. Not quite so sure that's the case in England.

[Akousticplyr]

You can run speakers a good distance with no issues using these :

https://www.amazon.com/XV-U3-Xvive-e.../dp/B07CNLJDST

[leew3]

Originally Posted by Akousticplyr

You can run speakers a good distance with no issues using these :

https://www.amazon.com/XV-U3-Xvive-e.../dp/B07CNLJDST

Alternately, I've used the Xvive wireless system I typically use in my mandolin. Plugged the transmitter into the hiZ out on the board, the receiver into a powered speaker at a distance and it worked well.

[MikeBmusic]

The OP question was how to do this without setting up speakers.
Amazon has lots of choices for FM transmitters. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fm+radio+...diversity_1_20

[leew3]

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

The OP question was how to do this without setting up speakers.
Amazon has lots of choices for FM transmitters. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fm+radio+...diversity_1_20

Good call Mike, I missed that detail with my post!

[Akousticplyr]

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

The OP question was how to do this without setting up speakers.
Amazon has lots of choices for FM transmitters. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fm+radio+...diversity_1_20

"Somebody was suggesting that doing small outdoor events might be the best way ahead later in the summer and we were wondering if there was any way of streaming the audio so people could maintain a significant distance from each other and the performer (and maybe even listening in their cars like at a drive-in movie?) I've been thinking about it and not sure what you'd need to make it work. I suspect Bluetooth is too local to be much help. Some kind of streaming over wifi or mobile signal maybe? Could that be done roughly in sync with the performance or would there be a real lag? Any thoughts?"

Where does he mention not using speakers?