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Compression on Live Stream with OBS?
I know I'm about one year late to the live stream bandwagon, but I was thinking about trying my hand at streaming acoustic guitar and vocals to my friends via Facebook live. I'm a little unsure on the audio setup, as I definitely want really good audio.
I'm using an analog mixer to mix together a small diaphragm condenser xy pair for the guitar, and a large diaphragm condenser for the vocals. I'm adding some of the mixer's built in reverb too. I like the mix and stereo image coming out of the mixer. I'm sending the mixer's stereo output through an audio interface into OBS, and that's where my question arises. Some of my songs are fingerpicking with soft vocals, while some are strummers with louder vocals. And I can't monitor my levels in real time. So I think I need some compression. OBS has a compressor and limiter, but I'm unsure how to set them. I'd rather not be too aggressive and sound squashed. Also I'm concerned the limiter kicking in for loud transients on the guitar could make my vocals sound weird. Any tips? My mixer has reverb but no compressor, and I don't have an outboard compressor, so I can't just compress the guitar channel before going into the computer. I tried bringing the vocals and guitar channels into OBS separately and applying a different compressor to each, but I had syncing issues between the different OBS audio channels and since there's bleed between the mics I had phasing weirdness. Thanks for the help! |
#2
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I have not fooled with any of the effects built into OBS so sadly, I can't offer any help there.
But the way I do an OBS sound check is to record with OBS. Then I go back and listen to the video on my computer, on my phone, with headphones, without and what I hear from the OBS recording is what I hear when I listen back to my live streams. It's not super convenient but they don't have to be long recordings. So when I want to fix something, use a different instrument, etc. I make some tweaks, do a short recording, listen back and repeat until I'm happy with my results. I hardly change anything with my vocals and my piano now that I have those set. When I make adjustments to my different guitars, I do so in presets that are saved in my HX Stomp. Then I can just call up the preset I need. I know that doesn't help you solve the problem of getting the effects you want out of OBS but it may help you listen to your OBS audio and play around with it until you are happy before you go live. Matt |
#3
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Do you have a pickup on the guitar?
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Give a man a fishing rod... and he's got the makings of a rudimentary banjo. |
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#5
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#6
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OBS can support VST plugins, so you can use any plugin you may have. There are lots of them out there, even free, if you want something other than the built-in compressor.
But I don't think compression is a good idea for that you're describing. Having enough compression to even out the levels between strumming and fingerpicking is likely to sound pretty bad when it's kicking in, it will squash everything and be noticeable when you're playing loud. It'd be better to just figure out what levels you need and change them. You're using a mixer, so put a piece of tape beside the channel and mark the two levels you need.
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Music: Spotify, Bandcamp Videos: You Tube Channel Books: Hymns for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), Christmas Carols for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), A DADGAD Christmas, Alternate Tunings book Online Course: Alternate Tunings for Fingerstyle Guitar |
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__________________
Music: Spotify, Bandcamp Videos: You Tube Channel Books: Hymns for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), Christmas Carols for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), A DADGAD Christmas, Alternate Tunings book Online Course: Alternate Tunings for Fingerstyle Guitar |
#9
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Instead of having an XY pair, which I think might be wasted effort anyway, maybe have a close mic (fingers) and a distance mic (strumming) and mute the one you're not using.
__________________
Give a man a fishing rod... and he's got the makings of a rudimentary banjo. |
#10
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Actually, it supports VST2 plugins. There is a module you can install to support VST3 plugins:
https://obsproject.com/forum/tags/vst-3x/
__________________
Patrick 2012 Martin HD-28V 1984 Martin Shenandoah D-2832 2018 Gretsch G5420TG Oscar Schmidt Autoharp, unknown vintage ToneDexter Bugera V22 Infinium |
#11
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I'm only using zoom, and one way or another, you have to do what you can not to hit peaks and trigger the zoom horrendous audio gremlin that lie in wait. I tend to want a lot of dynamic range, a zoom no no. So I compress with a fast attack and a slow release, a moderate ratio, say 4:1, and more threshold than I'd like. I 86ed my nice big condenser in favor of a pair of SM 81s. Zoom has a feature where you can start a meeting for yourself and record a video. Then you can play it back to assess the quality. I've also learned to back off the intensity of my performance. It sucks, but it's what we have.
__________________
2007 Martin D 35 Custom 1970 Guild D 35 1965 Epiphone Texan 2011 Santa Cruz D P/W Pono OP 30 D parlor Pono OP12-30 Pono MT uke Goldtone Paul Beard squareneck resophonic Fluke tenor ukulele Boatload of home rolled telecasters "Shut up and play ur guitar" Frank Zappa |
#12
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That should take care of the "zoom horrendous audio gremlin" problem!
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Mike My music: https://mikebirchmusic.bandcamp.com 2020 Taylor 324ceBE 2017 Taylor 114ce-N 2012 Taylor 310ce 2011 Fender CD140SCE Ibanez 12 string a/e 73(?) Epiphone 6830E 6 string 72 Fender Telecaster Epiphone Dot Studio Epiphone LP Jr Chinese Strat clone Kala baritone ukulele Seagull 'Merlin' Washburn Mandolin Luna 'tatoo' a/e ukulele antique banjolin Squire J bass |
#13
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BTW, when using Original Sound, either wear headphones or turn it off when you and someone else are both unmuted.
__________________
Patrick 2012 Martin HD-28V 1984 Martin Shenandoah D-2832 2018 Gretsch G5420TG Oscar Schmidt Autoharp, unknown vintage ToneDexter Bugera V22 Infinium |
#14
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Well I did my livestream on Saturday and the audio worked out pretty well! I ended up varying my volume using the sliders on my mixer - I marked off 2 positions on the vocal mic (loud and soft singing) and 3 positions on the guitar mics (fingerpicking, soft flatpicking, and hard strumming). I think it went pretty well! I used the record feature in OBS to do some "soundchecking" beforehand and figure out these levels. I also did try simply varying my distance from the mics, but I had to be so far away for strumming that it made the guitar sound thin in my opinion.
Here are the OBS settings I ended up with: Compressor: Ratio 3:1, threshold -25dB (about 5dB lower than where I could start to hear it), atack 6ms, release 60ms, output gain 17dB Limiter: Threshold -2dB, release -60dB "Reverb Solo" VST Plugin: Knob at about 10:30, slider about 3/4 of the way towards "dry". (I didn't use the reverb on my mixer since I found it sounded better post-compression) Listening back to the recording, I'm very satisfied with the mix and also the sound of the guitar! Phew... IT ended up being a fun time livestreaming to my friends too, with this pandemic it's been a while since I played "in front of people". In case you're interested, here's a link to the recording: https://youtu.be/92Hx57sD1pQ |
#15
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Make it better yes, take care of them, no.
__________________
2007 Martin D 35 Custom 1970 Guild D 35 1965 Epiphone Texan 2011 Santa Cruz D P/W Pono OP 30 D parlor Pono OP12-30 Pono MT uke Goldtone Paul Beard squareneck resophonic Fluke tenor ukulele Boatload of home rolled telecasters "Shut up and play ur guitar" Frank Zappa |