2024 Zoom # 2, January 20 or 21

[John M]

Sunday, Feb. 4th is O.K. for me.

 

[dak]

4th should be fine with me, 3rd would actually not work. So I am lucking out on the alternation scheme.

 

[colinm]

They should work just fine for Zoom using either Bluetooth or cable, but for doing Jamulus, cable would be superior.

Lots of software wants ASIO4All (or better, a soundcard with a native ASIO driver, ASIO being a low-latency sound system for Windows). The ASIO4All driver itself is free I think (I use Linux myself, so cannot speak with confidence), so there may be a temptation by freeloaders to bundle it with crapware you don't want. Might be worth trying to figure out a sensible source. I'd expect that if http://jamulus.io gives you a link, that should be clean.

Managed to download ASIO4All, now it has several variables in the sound system to be set up and a list of servers to choose from, are there preferred options for these ?

 

[Tom]

Managed to download ASIO4All, now it has several variables in the sound system to be set up and a list of servers to choose from, are there preferred options for these ?

I think you will be best off just experimenting with the variables, (but ask here anyway) and choosing the server that is closest to you seems to be the General recommendation. You’re probably too far away for me to try, but I would if you would like.

 

[dak]

Managed to download ASIO4All, now it has several variables in the sound system to be set up and a list of servers to choose from, are there preferred options for these ?

Well, the list of servers usually is sorted by network delays to you, so something from near the top is better when you are playing yourself. If you are just listening (be sure to click the "mute yourself" button in order to mute yourself to everyone, not just the mute button on your mixer strip which only concerns what you hear yourself), large latencies are a non-issue. Similar with the network settings: you can let them be determined "auto" in which case you get a compromise between latency and dropouts. With regard to network buffer size, I'd not use more than 128 for either network or soundcard buffer size (that may be in the ASIO settings, don't quite remember as I don't have Windows). I remember that on some Windows computer I helped with, the soundcard buffer size was doing reasonably well with 48 samples regardless of the network buffer size.

For first impressions, I'd use the "Listener" icon and "Mute yourself" (those are really completely independent settings). That way you can do session-hopping without really disturbing anyone. Once you want to join, things get more complicated. There is no echo compensation: you'll need to use headphones or you'll get unpopular fast (and "but it works fine" is no excuse since echoes affect everyone except yourself). And you'll want to find settings where your overall latency (from when you play to when you hear yourself) is below 80ms (which already takes getting used to). There is no noise suppression either: laptop mics that are picking up harddisk/fan noise will give a constant background whirr. Essentially you want equipment that would be good for recording (though usually just mono).

 

[colinm]

Well, the list of servers usually is sorted by network delays to you, so something from near the top is better when you are playing yourself. If you are just listening (be sure to click the "mute yourself" button in order to mute yourself to everyone, not just the mute button on your mixer strip which only concerns what you hear yourself), large latencies are a non-issue. Similar with the network settings: you can let them be determined "auto" in which case you get a compromise between latency and dropouts. With regard to network buffer size, I'd not use more than 128 for either network or soundcard buffer size (that may be in the ASIO settings, don't quite remember as I don't have Windows). I remember that on some Windows computer I helped with, the soundcard buffer size was doing reasonably well with 48 samples regardless of the network buffer size.

For first impressions, I'd use the "Listener" icon and "Mute yourself" (those are really completely independent settings). That way you can do session-hopping without really disturbing anyone. Once you want to join, things get more complicated. There is no echo compensation: you'll need to use headphones or you'll get unpopular fast (and "but it works fine" is no excuse since echoes affect everyone except yourself). And you'll want to find settings where your overall latency (from when you play to when you hear yourself) is below 80ms (which already takes getting used to). There is no noise suppression either: laptop mics that are picking up harddisk/fan noise will give a constant background whirr. Essentially you want equipment that would be good for recording (though usually just mono).

Thanks dak

 

[colinm]

I think you will be best off just experimenting with the variables, (but ask here anyway) and choosing the server that is closest to you seems to be the General recommendation. You’re probably too far away for me to try, but I would if you would like.

Ok Tom, I will let you know when I have set up as advised by Dak, and will get in touch again later

 

[Tom]

Ok Tom, I will let you know when I have set up as advised by Dak, and will get in touch again later

Sounds good, Colin. If Dak is into it, it will probably work better since he’s a lot closer.

 

[colinm]

Tom, looks as though i have to confirm my headphone output and my microphone input, then select s server, microphone is difficult because it is connected camera, do not know how to contact you but all may be revealed.

 

[TimeSwan]

I'll be out of town that weekend, visiting Atlanta

 

[JerryPH]

So, one way to go would be alternating Saturday and Sunday, every other week, keeping with 18:00 UTC. This would put us at Sunday, Feb 4, 2024. What do you all think?

My work schedule unfortunately being as it is, I work from Sunday to Thursday, so I would not be able to make it... but don't let me drag things down... if a Sunday works for the majority, that is the important part.

 

[Tom]

My work schedule unfortunately being as it is, I work from Sunday to Thursday, so I would not be able to make it... but don't let me drag things down... if a Sunday works for the majority, that is the important part.

Thanks for letting us know Jerry. Right now we’re alternating Saturday and Sunday, so you will be able to get in. I still haven’t identified the best day for the most people. Maybe we’ll try a Friday one week. Anyway, hope we have a good zoom on the 4th. I’ll start a new thread.

 

[JerryPH]

Would anyone that attends the meetings be able to record them? I would be cool to watch at a later time, maybe?