Question / Help Massive hiss on feeds

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Kyle1974

New Member
Hi

So as previously mentioned, I have bought two fairly inexpensive webcams to stream with - however, I am getting the most horrendous hiss when monitoring the broadcast through Periscope.

I have tried reducing the microphone level to eliminate the hiss but then people can't hear me on the scope?

I have also tried the noise filter and noise suppression which sounds better but does bring the hiss back when I pause for breath.

I think I should have spent more on the webcams but is there anything I can do to mitigate my situation before I return the cameras?

(NB, during my trials with OBS, I was using an old PS2 and a PS3 webcam and I had no sound issues whatsoever)

Thanks
Kyle
 
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Kyle1974

New Member
Yup I think so. The picture quality is amazing but the sound makes them unusable. My own fault for buying cheap I guess. Just plugging in my old PS cameras and if the sound is ok, then I have fixed the problem (but will buy a decent camera next time)

Edit: Interestingly I can get sound through my old (!) PS 2 cam but not through the PS3 one (although the picture quality is amazing)
 
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Kyle1974

New Member
I can go privately live on Peri now if anyone can hear what I mean or suggest what I need to change? I'm going to have to pay for Studio Switcher if I can't do this - or abandon the live stream :(
 
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Kyle1974

New Member
But then people can't hear the music I play between chat? I have the tab with periscope on silent so I can view what people say but it doesn't create a feedback loop. Normally I speak through my mixer so people can only hear what I am saying whilst the show is going on, then I lift speakers whilst record is on so periscopers can hear it. Didn't have any issues when using studio switcher so I think it probably is these cheap webcams picking up noise and amplifying it - sounds dreadful though :(
 
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sebix

New Member
It it is back couping, then the speakers as emitting the microphone signal. Otherwise it's not back-coupling. So I recommend to turn off one of the microphones at all, so only one records. And make sure that you do not monitor the signal of the microphone, but only record it.
 
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Kyle1974

New Member
Kyle1974 said:
But then people can't hear the music I play between chat? I have the tab with periscope on silent so I can view what people say but it doesn't create a feedback loop. Normally I speak through my mixer so people can only hear what I am saying whilst the show is going on, then I lift speakers whilst record is on so periscopers can hear it. Didn't have any issues when using studio switcher so I think it probably is these cheap webcams picking up noise and amplifying it - sounds dreadful though :(
Click to expand...

Sorry should have said, when my mic is up the speakers are cut off so that doesn't create feedback. I managed to get it all working for past two weeks but have moved to OBS. Previously I used Switcher Studio via iPad managing my iphones for the video stream and sound (whilst music was playing in background). Those videos are still online as reference.
 
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Kyle1974

New Member
I think I know what you mean about back coupling - I don't think it is that now. So, if do a test Peri now with no music or anything playing, the camera will sound very hissy. I will try it now - I don't get hiss if I lower my mic volume so I am wondering if it is a combination of the cheap webcams? Or whether I've mucked something up on my Linux Mint Volume controls?

My peri name is ReclaimedRadio. (Sorry, and I really do appreciate all your help - I'm trying to sort before next week's show)

No other speakers - I realised early on that I needed to have mute on anything showing Peri that was near me as that would create a feedback loop
 
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Kyle1974

New Member
Just firing it up to check and even sat here with no external noise going on - the meter is flickering on the audio feed at about 50% like its getting some audio from somewhere? I have taken a snapshot but don't know how to send it to you?

(I'm genuinely sorry for wasting your time if it's just me being stupid)
 
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Kyle1974

New Member
Thank you, yes that's my station... That recording was with my ipod/itouch last week. I am just trying a different webcam now (which sounds less hissy than my cheapy options but still not ideal).

Trying to send you a pic but it's asking for a URL? Is there a service I need to use to include it here?

In OBS, I don't think I can take the sound directly from Mixxx? (I wish I could as people could hear the music and callers then)

Basically I just do online radio using Mixxx and a shoutcast server and I thought it would be a nice bonus if people could see what's happening when the show is going out

(Edit, found pic send, sorry - I am an idiot)
 
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Kyle1974

New Member
Screenshot at 2018-01-07 21-23-03.jpg
 
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sebix

New Member
Looks noisy. But as you want the output of the radio itself, using the mic isn't an option anyway?
Kyle1974 said:
In OBS, I don't think I can take the sound directly from Mixxx?
Click to expand...
I don't know Mixxx. OBS can take e.g. the Desktop Audio (Output) or any microphone in. So if you can output the full audio out to (non-existing or not turned on) speakers, you can just use that. Or feed any final signal into the microphone jack of your PC.
 
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Kyle1974

New Member
Mixxx is an odd one - it seems to take over the entire PC soundsystem and then outputs to streaming server. I've just checked all the Mixxx settings and I can't see an option to switch it.

My work around for the past two weeks was to have my mixer set up with xlr mics, fed into Mixxx. People listening online could then hear me and callers clearly.

I had the (daft) idea to also peri the show at the same time so people could see what was happening between records. I'd put the speakers up during those bits so people could hear the music and they could also hear me through the webcam. When I was going 'live' I would take the speakers off again. Sorry if that was long winded!

So in terms of the noisiness you could see (which was worse on those cheaper webcams), is there anything else I could do? Would buying a higher end webcam help or am I pretty much stuck?
 
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Kyle1974

New Member
So oddly, in a second hand shop today they had a logitech webcam - and that was much better audio and video quality - so it was the cheap nasty cameras that were not helping matters. I've also ordered a second soundcard for PC which hopefully means one will feed OBS and one will feed into Mixxx...
 
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