Professional Concert Streaming

[Captain Matt]

Hi all!

I am a student at a music conservatory and there has been a push to get some of the events, namely large ensemble concerts, live streamed! Really exciting stuff! But there's a whole host of issues to work out. I was wondering if people could make some suggestions regarding...

 

Platform:
What streaming sites do NOT play ads (or allow COMPLETE control) during your streams? I was thinking Twitch would do fine... but I can't remember if they ever played ads during my own streams awhile back... Something more professional and music oriented would be great.

We also are seeking a platform that would allow us to charge admission for ticketed events. It would be silly to live stream (for free) an event that has tickets if you go in person.

 

Software:

I was thinking OBS/x-split would do fine. I personally know how to work OBS better but could probably learn x-split... Is there any other super high end software someone might recommend?

 

Setup:

There is already a high end microphone setup in each auditorium. I was thinking:

Mics -> mixer -> compressor -> output from mixer to computer -> into streaming software

 

Have a person working live stream with hotkeys... flip through cameras, etc. 

 

Am I missing anything for the most high FIDELITY streaming experience?

I do NOT need build recommendations. Please do not post them.

[roastduck]

OBS is good because it's free. Youtube will probably be a good stream platform, but someone from your school's faculty will need to get in touch with them about advertising. There might be an issue with sound delay between your camera and the audio going through a bunch of hardware. Testing before the first major event will be a must.

From a business perspective, you might not want to livestream an event for free that people will be charged to see in person. People will find out and just start going online to watch it. If you want performances available online, stream free events, but have high quality recordings available after the fact

ignore that. i severely misinterpreted. I don't know any pay-per-view streaming platforms. Maybe have a private stream URL in a VIP area of a custom website?

[manikyath]

twitch allows you full control of ads, except for the preroll ads, that are hard coded into the web player.

 

as for platform that can charge to view, i'm no help there.

 

OBS would probably do just fine, set up the different scenes beforehand to make work easier.

aside from OBS and Xsplit, we're talking $10K+ professional hardware to do stuff like this.

 

make sure you have a BALLIN' ADC (opposite of DAC) to record that signal tho, this is the place where regular old on-board audio doesnt suffice. (i'm pretty sure you know this tho, just making sure)

[Captain Matt]

twitch allows you full control of ads, except for the preroll ads, that are hard coded into the web player.

 

as for platform that can charge to view, i'm no help there.

 

OBS would probably do just fine, set up the different scenes beforehand to make work easier.

aside from OBS and Xsplit, we're talking $10K+ professional hardware to do stuff like this.

 

make sure you have a BALLIN' ADC (opposite of DAC) to record that signal tho, this is the place where regular old on-board audio doesnt suffice. (i'm pretty sure you know this tho, just making sure)

They've got the money. Please name all the hardware/software/websites you know of.

[manikyath]

They've got the money. Please name all the hardware/software/websites you know of.

well... the only reason i know about it was because a livestreamer (probably waffle or sev) was talking about how LoL tournaments get streamed.

 

but its like... beyond sane pricing.

 

https://livestream.com/studio pretty sure this was the exact thing he was on about.

[Whaler_99]

Sorry, this sort of stuff is not something i have any experience in, not being a streamer at all.

 

I will move this into the Photo and Video section, may get better response there from the group.

[Captain Matt]

Sorry, this sort of stuff is not something i have any experience in, not being a streamer at all.

 

I will move this into the Photo and Video section, may get better response there from the group.

You rock Whaler!

[Tsuki]

twitch is mostly for gaming, so i dont know how well a concert is going to go over.. also, if their autodetection decides the music is copywritten, your entire stream might get muted. youtube wont be much better for dmca crap..

[ALwin]

Doesn't your conservatory have an AV technician/support/supplier who can advise you on setting things up.

• Hardware
• Software
• Perhaps even your own website

[Captain Matt]

 

Doesn't your conservatory have an AV technician/support/supplier who can advise you on setting things up.

• Hardware
• Software
• Perhaps even your own website

 

Well... It's not so much that the university doesn't have someone, it's that they have many people but they're very split up into different departments.

It's my job to figure out this stuff and then put names to the people needed to pull it off second.

[ALwin]

Well... It's not so much that the university doesn't have someone, it's that they have many people but they're very split up into different departments.

It's my job to figure out this stuff and then put names to the people needed to pull it off second.

Ok what sort of streaming or live broadcast do you want to do? How many audio and video sources? Only a single location (auditorium), I mean do you want the setup to be usable in a fixed location or do you also want to be able to broadcast/stream with a portable setup if the performance happens somewhere else, like a field outside the school buildings?

Obviously the live stuff will only happen when something is happening, the rest of the time do you want to offer non-live playback, a.k.a recorded stuff?

[Captain Matt]

Ok what sort of streaming or live broadcast do you want to do? How many audio and video sources? Only a single location (auditorium), I mean do you want the setup to be usable in a fixed location or do you also want to be able to broadcast/stream with a portable setup if the performance happens somewhere else, like a field outside the school buildings?

Obviously the live stuff will only happen when something is happening, the rest of the time do you want to offer non-live playback, a.k.a recorded stuff?

Streaming live music concerts.

Mics are already in place. 

Maybe 3 or so static, satellite cameras. The cameras would not be fixed but could be detached from the setup when not in use.

 

Portable system(s).

 

No stream going on when no concerts are going on, but I want to be able to broadcast the input of multiple mics to the stream (and the stream is being archived) and to recording software where it can be mixed later.

 

[ALwin]

Streaming live music concerts.

Mics are already in place. 

Maybe 3 or so static, satellite cameras. The cameras would not be fixed but could be detached from the setup when not in use.

 

Portable system(s).

 

No stream going on when no concerts are going on, but I want to be able to broadcast the input of multiple mics to the stream (and the stream is being archived) and to recording software where it can be mixed later.

Ok I'm on the road right now, when I get to my office I will give you an example of a setup you can use.

 

EDIT:

 

Ok to make the setup portable, you will need a case or cases. For example, something like this: http://www.gatorcases.com/c/29201/standard-audio-racks

 

Now here is an example of the hardware you will need, and I'll assume you already have the cameras and microphones.  I am using these products as an example to give you an idea of what you will need, it is better to talk to a pro AV equipment supplier/specialist to get an exact list of what you will need.

 

​1. Blackmagic Design ATEM Television Studio

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/atemtelevisionstudio

• Up to 6 video inputs
• Comes with the software for free

2. You'll need some monitors

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/smartview

 

3. You will need to monitor and mix the audio somehow, here is a device for monitoring audio and you will need to get a mixer

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicaudiomonitor  (this audio monitor is optional)

 

4. Recording at the same time while you are broadcasting

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/hyperdeckstudio

 

These items can be mounted into the portable case and can be powered by a portable power supply.

 

Your cameras will connect to the ATEM TV studio, which in turn will be connected to the monitors and to the controller's computer.  There will also be a feed connected to the Hyperdeck studio so that it can record onto the inserted drives.  Microphones will be connected to the ATEM, mixer and audio monitor.

 

When you connect to the Internet for streaming, make sure you have enough bandwidth to support the resolution.

 

This kind of setup can be worked by one or two people.

[Captain Matt]

Ok I'm on the road right now, when I get to my office I will give you an example of a setup you can use.

 

EDIT:

 

Ok to make the setup portable, you will need a case or cases. For example, something like this: http://www.gatorcases.com/c/29201/standard-audio-racks

 

Now here is an example of the hardware you will need, and I'll assume you already have the cameras and microphones.  I am using these products as an example to give you an idea of what you will need, it is better to talk to a pro AV equipment supplier/specialist to get an exact list of what you will need.

 

​1. Blackmagic Design ATEM Television Studio

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/atemtelevisionstudio

• Up to 6 video inputs
• Comes with the software for free

2. You'll need some monitors

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/smartview

 

3. You will need to monitor and mix the audio somehow, here is a device for monitoring audio and you will need to get a mixer

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicaudiomonitor  (this audio monitor is optional)

 

4. Recording at the same time while you are broadcasting

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/hyperdeckstudio

 

These items can be mounted into the portable case and can be powered by a portable power supply.

 

Your cameras will connect to the ATEM TV studio, which in turn will be connected to the monitors and to the controller's computer.  There will also be a feed connected to the Hyperdeck studio so that it can record onto the inserted drives.  Microphones will be connected to the ATEM, mixer and audio monitor.

 

When you connect to the Internet for streaming, make sure you have enough bandwidth to support the resolution.

 

This kind of setup can be worked by one or two people.

You sir, freaking rock. This is the help I needed. Thank you SO much.

This is an incredibly streamlined solution from what I was originally piecing together. Thank you thank you.

[ALwin]

You sir, freaking rock. This is the help I needed. Thank you SO much.

This is an incredibly streamlined solution from what I was originally piecing together. Thank you thank you.

 

As I said this is just an example of some products that you might likely need, I still recommend you talk to a specialist in your area to find the correct setup for your needs.

 

PS: Yes there are cheaper solutions like getting a video capture device that allows multiple inputs, but then you may be placing a lot of load on the connected computer to do the encoding the video (e.g. H.264), managing inputs, mixing audio, broadcasting, etc.  I believe having dedicated hardware to take some of the load off the computer (e.g. ATEM television studio) lets the computer do other things like sending the captured video onto the live streaming server (e.g. Youtube).

 

So with this kind of hardware, you can use any computer or laptop as long as the proper software is installed and be portable to use in the University or in outdoor concerts, etc.

[Captain Matt]

Hi all!
Thanks for all the help so far. I was actually informed a few days ago our school has an AWESOME broadcasting/video production department already in place... Despite being part of the school, they are paid on a job by job basis and it would cost money for us to utilize their expertise and equipment. BUT, I did meet with them today for about an hour and I talked to them about what I wanted to do and they were all for it!
 

The only hurdle I need to jump through on this plan is how to get multiple cameras with SDI OUTPUTS converted from an ANALOG signal to DIGITAL without using 4 D/A converter boxes (concern is that that would be too many points of failure) and solving how to do long cable runs. ~200 feet...

I found this today:
http://devtek.com.tr/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?pId=1063

Yet to touch on a little more research with it...

 

So outside of Black Magic... does anyone know how to get 4 different cameras converted and sent to a computer?

[ALwin]

What cameras are you using now? If it is a simple matter of connecting the cameras' SDI OUT to something with SDI INPUTS, look at Black Magic ATEM Television Studio. This can handle up to 4-6 inputs and process HD video.

[Captain Matt]

What cameras are you using now? If it is a simple matter of connecting the cameras' SDI OUT to something with SDI INPUTS, look at Black Magic ATEM Television Studio. This can handle up to 4-6 inputs and process HD video.

Be sure to read through all  of the text on my last post.

 

They want to avoid the Black Magic gear because it almost always uses proprietary software. I am aware of their solutions and they are great.. but not as perfectly suited to this solution as some other devices.

[ALwin]

Be sure to read through all  of the text on my last post.

 

They want to avoid the Black Magic gear because it almost always uses proprietary software. I am aware of their solutions and they are great.. but not as perfectly suited to this solution as some other devices.

 

Well have you asked your AV people about a device similar to the Blackmagic ATEM television studio?

 

And what's wrong with Black Magic's software?  It comes free with the devices.

 

You can try something like this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1115158-REG/datavideo_se_1200mu_6_input_hd.html

 

or this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1052049-REG/datavideo_hs_2200_hand_carried_mobile.html

 

or even this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1103262-REG/vmix_scsi_vmgo_go_production_unit.html

 

 

You're entering the world of broadcasting, all these devices will use software designed for them.

[ALwin]

I think I found the perfect solution for your needs, and it's not Black Magic.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1063224-REG/newtek_fg_000829_r001_live_sports_8000_solution.html