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Audio compass for remotes

How About "Free"?

Why not just use Skype, or Microsoft Netmeeting?

You can find out more about netmeeting here.

If you're using XP, you can run Netmeeting, if it's installed, by going to Start-Run and typing in conf.exe. If it's not installed, you can download it here. Do not be alarmed that it doesn't list Windows XP as "compatible". Netmeeting 3.0 is the version that normally comes with XP.

If you're going to use Netmeeting, you may want to check out this information.
 
Skype sounds good as well. I was looking at Audio Compass mostly because it was recommended. Is anyone successfully using Skype for quality remotes? I would be using either program for voice only remotes, such as sports broadcasts or other remotes.

If Skype or Audio Compass is great for remotes, why would folks be spending $$ on Tieline or Comrex equipment.

What am I missing? Those using Skype or Audio Compass please weigh in.

Thanks!
 
ChiefOperator said:
Skype sounds good as well. I was looking at Audio Compass mostly because it was recommended.
Click to expand...

I saw one thing on the Audio Compass website which says users connect direct to the host computer's IP address instead of going through a intermediate server such as happens with Skype and most other IP two-way talk programs. I use Skype and iChat on Macs (and of course communicate with Windows machines using Skype) and with the right mike plugged in you can get some pretty good quality audio and with the two-way programs you have the advantage of being able to have the studio talk back to the person at the remote. iChat has a mute function so the studio operator's mike can be turned off when not needed.

I am getting ready to do some tests using iChat for remote audio and video. I have a client in Arizona who makes flutes and we need some new audio for the website. He will sit at his computer in Arizona and play his new flutes and I will use Audio Hijack at my end to record them live, and use the talk-back function to direct the sessions. I may even be able to get video good enough to use for the website, but that's a lot tougher than getting very good live audio over IP.

I certainly think using voice over IP for remotes is worth a couple of tests: it's something you can do without having to spend much if any money using free software.
 
Direct PC to PC connections should help reduce latency. Audio Compass sounds like it offers a wider variety of codecs, depending on your application.

D-Voicer also looks like it has a lot of features for a lot less money.

Since they both offer free trial versions, why not try them both and see what happens?
 
Rob Stutson said:
gunterm said:
It looks like good software, however if you'd like to save money just buy D-Voicer, appears to be the exact same software minus that noise suppression feature: http://www.d-voicer.com

$35 for each end.
Click to expand...

FWIW - according to http://www.d-voicer.com/order.shtml - the best quality is a GSM codec at 80 kb/sec, 22kHz. Should be more than fine for voice but probably won't work for STLs and such.
Click to expand...

where 'codec' is one of:
speex_8khz - SPEEX at 8 KHz (16 Kbps)
speex_11khz - SPEEX at 11 KHz (18 Kbps)
speex_16khz - SPEEX at 16 KHz (24 Kbps)
speex_22khz - SPEEX at 22 KHz (20 Kbps)
speex_32khz - SPEEX at 32 KHz (32 Kbps)
ilbc_8khz - iLBC at 8 KHz (32 Kbps)
ilbc_11khz - iLBC at 11 KHz (40 Kbps)
ilbc_22khz - iLBC at 22 KHz (64 Kbps)
g711_8khz - G.711 at 8 KHz (64 Kbps)
g711_11khz - G.711 at 11 KHz (88 Kbps)
g711_22khz - G.711 at 22 KHz (176 Kbps)
gsm_8khz - GSM at 8 KHz (32 Kbps)
gsm_11khz - GSM at 11 KHz (40 Kbps)
gsm_22khz - GSM at 22 KHz (80 Kbps)
lpc10 - LPC10 at 8 KHz (2.4 Kbps)

Actually best for speech is to use speex at 32khz, still no 44.1 khz option. Based on the codec selection I see here it's not suitable for music. I'm pretty sure GSM is 8bit sampling which would wreck audio quality.
 
Well, lets see, here are a few:

-Broadcast equipment companies offer free, unlimited, support. No matter how stupid or ignorant you are they will stay with you till it works.

-A closed environment means that the system won't suddenly stop working because your OS gets a patch, or someone installed some new software.

-Usually far more rugged than the typical laptop. Not to mention rack mount models.

- Professional grade inputs outputs (e.g. balanced, pro quality analog, plus AES).

-(usually) down to earth unnecessarily complicated user interface. Since they offer free support it behooves them to make sure the thing is easy to use.

-etc

Just a few reasons. But feel free to use any old software...


ChiefOperator said:
<snip>
If Skype or Audio Compass is great for remotes, why would folks be spending $$ on Tieline or Comrex equipment.

What am I missing? Those using Skype or Audio Compass please weigh in.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
RealityCheckr said:
Well, lets see, here are a few:

-Broadcast equipment companies offer free, unlimited, support. No matter how stupid or ignorant you are they will stay with you till it works.

-A closed environment means that the system won't suddenly stop working because your OS gets a patch, or someone installed some new software.

-Usually far more rugged than the typical laptop. Not to mention rack mount models.

- Professional grade inputs outputs (e.g. balanced, pro quality analog, plus AES).

-(usually) down to earth unnecessarily complicated user interface. Since they offer free support it behooves them to make sure the thing is easy to use.

-etc

Just a few reasons. But feel free to use any old software...
Click to expand...

Usually I don't agree with the "reality checker", but the main point I would like to echo is DO NOT USE SKYPE. The Comrex units that feature internet connectivity have been used successfully across the public internet with very few problems, when set up it just works. However, I realize people don't want to pay the super high price tag for these boxes (I don't), but I would advise against using Skype for two reasons:

1. Despite how reliable you think it is, remember Skype's backend is Peer-To-Peer, so you are probably bouncing your broadcast across someone else's crappy DSL connection that could be overloaded at anytime...

2. While the quality seems pretty good, it's not as good as the AAC+ or MP3 coders used by the expensive boxes. The good middleground is to buy Audio Compass which uses Speex at 44.1khz which I would consider more than broadcast quality (just don't transmit music).

If you are someone who plans on sending music across during your remote you'll need to buy those boxes or purchase AudioTX. If you need a really cheap solution with no error correction then use EddCast and mp3 encoding to a shoutcast server (or AAC+ if you know what you're doing you can add this capability). On the studio end there is a program called RX (found here: http://www.burnill.co.uk/rx.html ) That will connect to a shoutcast or icecast server and play back the stream, in case of buffer underrun it will slow the audio playback speed gradually until the buffer fills again so there is SOME protection against dead air with this solution.

Now to respond to his points:

1. Yes it's great free support however keep in mind these units cost $3500 PER END so they had better give free support for that price. As an internet station I don't have that kind of money and I would assume that small market radio doesn't either?

2. The software I use would only break if someone messed with the soundcard drivers. I would recommend not allowing anyone to touch your dedicated remote laptop (and test it before leaving). If you don't have anyone at the station who is really good with computers you will probably just have to bite the bullet and buy those expensive boxes. It's basically a trade off: if you are good with computers you can make your own little cheap and reliable solution.

3. Yep, be careful with it!

4. This being the age of cheap quality digital recording studios you can easily find USB or Firewire powered interfaces with pro-grade connections (what I use).

5. If set up correctly beforehand, all that needs to be done on the remote end with this audio compass software is to boot the computer and connect to the internet. My solution mentioned earlier is a little more complicated but that is mainly because there isn't anyone at the studio and I have to put myself on the air with remote control...
 
Just got off the phone with Audio Compass. They offer great tech support. The bad news is they have too, because there is practically no documentation with the software at all. This thread has more info than you get with the program. But they will walk you through everything and its pretty much bullet proof once you get it working.
 
I downloaded the trial version and was able to get really nice 44khz audio back to the studio with a laptop connected to the in-house internet system through our wireless router, but when I try to use the Verizon card I can't get it to connect. I'd love to be able to present this to the powers that be when it comes budget time, but I can't demonstrate it anywhere but inside the building, which, obviously, is not where we do our remotes. I tried turning off the firewall on the laptop to no avail, any other thoughts?

Has anyone tried Audio Compass with a Verizon broadband card?

I've got an email into Audio Compass support, but I'm guessing that since I'm using the free trial for the time being, I'll be at the bottom of the pile for help.
 
youdbeshocked-

I,too, am playing around with a demo.

It may be something to do with the port assignment. Make sure the studio codec is "listening" on a specific port (5007 I believe) and set to auto-connect. In addition, make sure you have enabled port forwarding on your router. Also, I've had good results with the speex 32kHz codec--it is definitely "studio quality."

Probably it's best to just call the developer directly and let him know what you're trying to do. I've talked to him a couple times and he's helpful and VERY serious about his product. One time we talked for over an hour!

Developer for Audio Compass: Sam Bushman (sp?) 801-756-9133

Last, I know that several people are interested in using this software with a broadband card. Once you have done so, please post a review and your thoughts. We would be interested in your results. I don't have a card to test it myself.

Thanks and good luck.....
 
I've been working with Sam over at Audio Compass for awhile trying to get everything to work right with our Verizon card, and as it turns out the errors were all on my end. I had our IT guy in here today and he set up the port forwarding, and Sam worked with me on the command lines to get everything right on both computers, and the bottom line is that I just had really nice 32khz audio back to the studio while driving down the road across town. I can't recommend that, because the left hand on the phone to the studio, right hand on the mic and the computer makes steering difficult, especially with a manual transmission, but it worked and it was spectacular.

Our next remote is scheduled for Friday midday, and I plan on using Audio Compass for it. I've still got 10 days left on the trial, and I think if I can prove it works from the field we'll definitely be buying a few licenses.

I'll let you know how the actual 2 hour broadcast goes, but so far all signs are pointing to success with the Verizon broadband card.

The one caveat here is that I'm told (and believe) that everything depends on the quality of your connection. So, getting out of town like we will be on Friday, should tell the tale.
 
I have the Audio Compass and it works absolutely great from a wired internet connection. With my Verizon card it breaks up like crazy. It broke up badly when I connected directly to Sam at AC. They say many people use it with great success. Maybe its my local Verizon service but it's unuseable with the laptop and the wireless card. Hooked up to a standard router its A-Ok with any of the codecs at any speed.
 
Thanks for the evaluations. Yes, please send your results on Friday's remote. I know many people (including myself) are interested in this program.

Thanks!
 
I did use the free trial version on Friday at a remote for 2 hours with the Verizon card with pretty good success. Initially I had everything set up for 48khz audio, but I think that it was wishfull thinking with the connectivity provided on this particular day by the Verizon card. We had a 3 of 4 bar signal, so not perfect. I was a cloudy, rainy, dismal day so I think our connection might be a little suspect. We ended up dumping down to 22khz, with the laptop set to only send and the studio computer set to only receive, and we set process priority to Audio Compass on both computers. We had just a little garbled audio on one of the breaks, and a couple of momentary dropouts throughout the 2 hours, but nothing that would make me go back to using the cell phone. I have every reason to believe that when connected with full connectivity to the Verizon network or an actual wired internet connection that Audio Compass can deliver great audio back to the studio. The problems that we had are the result of our connection to the internet, not Audio Compass, and I'm certain we'll be purchasing in the next couple of days.

On another note, Sam w/Audio Compass was very helpful throughout my testing. I had many conversations with him while evaluating, and he even connected remotely to my studio computer to send me audio and had me send him some back as well so that he could explain everything about the program. I can't say enough good things about the support, and I was even on the free trial version. I expected to get stuck on the back burner because of that, but the reality was the complete opposite. It couldn't have been a better experience.
 
For around 25-30 bucks with shipping, you can get an antenna for your aircard, most have this jack on them, that will improve signal enough to make a good solid connection inside of buildings and such.

I didn't get to test audio compass much, I played for a few minutes after installing, and by the time I got around to a real test it turns out my timer expired for the free trial!!! Oh well, does someone know how to reset this because an uninstall and reinstall doesn't work.
 
I bought this software 2 days ago and have since been trying to contact Sam via the Contact box on the Audio Compass website. We're having a huge issue as the software won't accept the registration details provided in the email.

We need to use it tomorrow so I'm hoping to hear from him soon but is there another email address I should be contacting? Is there really 24/7 support provided as 2 days seems a bit excessive... I sent 2 enquiries in case the first one went missing..

I just tried using his email address directly which was in the registration email... hopefully he gets the message this time and can help!
 
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