Best Results Using Zoom as Video Platform

[srick]

Last night we had the first AGF Open Mic using Zoom as a platform. We'll be announcing them in the events section on a regular basis. Some thoughts:

• There is a mode in the settings called "enable original sound". This removes much of the compression and improves the sound quality greatly.
• As with all of these meetings, if everyone is muted (which the host can easily do), the sound quality is much better
• Using a virtual background is fun and easy to do.
• It was easy to chat in between songs. Seeing each other while playing is a real plus.
• My setup was pretty simple as I used my iPhone as a video cam (I placed it in a dashboard mount). The audio was usb from my Steinberg UR22
• Make sure you have some lighting on your face. I have a floor lamp aimed up at the ceiling and this provides even lighting in the room (essentially an umbrella reflector)

and this:zoom.jpg

[CASD57]

Originally Posted by srick

Last night we had the first AGF Open Mic using Zoom as a platform. We'll be announcing them in the events section on a regular basis. Some thoughts:

• There is a mode in the settings called "enable original sound". This removes much of the compression and improves the sound quality greatly.
  
• As with all of these meetings, if everyone is muted (which the host can easily do), the sound quality is much better
  
• Using a virtual background is fun and easy to do.
  
• It was easy to chat in between songs. Seeing each other while playing is a real plus.
  
• My setup was pretty simple as I used my iPhone as a video cam (I placed it in a dashboard mount). The audio was usb from my Steinberg UR22
  
• Make sure you have some lighting on your face. I have a floor lamp aimed up at the sealing and this provides even lighting in the room (essentially an umbrella reflector)
  

and this:Attachment 37922

My system was a little more involved, and I'm going to try just a USB mic next time instead of the Focusrite 2i2 fed by AKG Perception 200 into a Mic Mechanic for reverb.
I'm going to work on using OBS because I've added VST2 filters Into it. We will see,
Overall everyone sounded great.

[LakewoodM32Fan]

Did you also disable these two settings?

• Suppress persistent background noise
• Suppress intermittent background noise

If so, did you find they made a difference?

[srick]

Originally Posted by CASD57

My system was a little more involved, and I'm going to try just a USB mic next time instead of the Focusrite 2i2 fed by AKG Perception 200 into a Mic Mechanic for reverb.
I'm going to work on using OBS because I've added VST2 filters Into it. We will see,
Overall everyone sounded great.

I think that MartinGitDave ‘s got us all Jonesin’ for our very own ‘HypeMic‘!

[srick]

Originally Posted by LakewoodM32Fan

Did you also disable these two settings?

• Suppress persistent background noise
• Suppress intermittent background noise

If so, did you find they made a difference?

I don’t believe that any of us touched those settings. Besides, considering what my performance sounded like, ‘suppress persistent noise’ would probably end up muting me!

[LakewoodM32Fan]

Originally Posted by srick

I don’t believe that any of us touched those settings. Besides, considering what my performance sounded like, ‘suppress persistent noise’ would probably end up muting me!

They're enabled by default I believe (unless that "enable original sound" disables that). That's why I inquired if you touched those settings.

[Br1ck]

I've been using my Track 16 (MOTU) digital mixer and taking the analog out into the Line in of my MacMini. I use the Track 16's internal compressor with a fast attack, slow release, meduim ratio, and low threshold. This heavy compression does not trigger the Zoom compression. It sounds better.

[srick]

Originally Posted by Br1ck

I've been using my Track 16 (MOTU) digital mixer and taking the analog out into the Line in of my MacMini. I use the Track 16's internal compressor with a fast attack, slow release, meduim ratio, and low threshold. This heavy compression does not trigger the Zoom compression. It sounds better.

Similarly, MartinGitDave was using an Apogee 'Hype Mic' with 'medium' compression (built into the microphone) and it sounded great.

[Methos1979]

I think for the next one we're going to 'simplify' by just playing acoustically but into a really nice and expensive mic that my professional sound tech son loaned me, an AKG C414 XLII. He actually gave me two! So that will be interesting. Going to experiment with it this week and then give it a go at the next one.

[LakewoodM32Fan]

Originally Posted by Methos1979

I think for the next one we're going to 'simplify' by just playing acoustically but into a really nice and expensive mic that my professional sound tech son loaned me, an AKG C414 LXII. He actually gave me two! So that will be interesting. Going to experiment with it this week and then give it a go at the next one.

Assuming it's the XLII...always wondered what $2400 worth of microphones sounded like.

[Methos1979]

Originally Posted by LakewoodM32Fan

Assuming it's the XLII...always wondered what $2400 worth of microphones sounded like.

Yes, fat fingers!