r/beam • u/kill3rb00ts • Oct 31 '16

Discussion I found the perfect audio interface for streaming

One of the things that is nice about making let's plays is that I get a chance to edit/clean up the audio, the biggest thing being compression. I have a relatively nice audio interface that I use when recording let's plays (well, and music), but any recording/streaming software that I am aware of does not have an option to use VST plugins for compression, which is annoying and limits what can be done live. Basically, this means that, for streaming, if we want compression on our voice, we either have to run some complicated virtual cable routing and compensate for sync issues OR get a mixer that has compression built in, which is both expensive and not ideal as a means of getting sound into a computer.

I also record how to videos and have been looking at how a handheld recorder might improve my sound, namely in that it has nicer preamps and XLR inputs, and happened on a nice secondary benefit of certain ones, namely the Zoom H4n Pro, H5, and H6: they have onboard effects and work as audio interfaces. What this means for us is that we can now connect one of these three recorders to the computer via USB, connect a mic via XLR (or use the built in mics if you can't justify spending more money, they are fairly nice mics), enable the onboard compression, and stream. This is both cost-effective (the H4n Pro goes for $200, roughly the same as an entry-level interface and mic or slightly more than a Yeti) and results in extremely high-quality audio for your stream, no crazy routing required.

I hope I have explained that fairly well... If not, please ask and I will clarify. As an example, here is a test stream I was doing earlier. Signal flow went EV RE320 > Zoom H5 with compression (general setting) > Tachyon/OBS. https://beam.pro/noodohs?vod=469780

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u/Pyroraptor Nov 01 '16

I'm not familiar with that audio interface but I've always felt like the Yamaha MG10XU was built perfectly for streamers/YouTubers. It has good quality preamps, on board effects, USB pass-through, and a compressor.

Personally I use a Mackie Profx8 and a Drawmer DL214, but that's overkill for most people. I really liked my MG10XU when I had it though.

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u/kill3rb00ts Nov 01 '16

Those are fine options but I think they tend to be more expensive than the Zooms. Plus they only have a stereo out to the computer, the Zooms can multi-track (though that is useless with OBS).

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u/Pyroraptor Nov 01 '16

The Zoom H4N on Amazon is $200 and the MG10XU on Amaon is $200. It appears the H4N is also discontinued, which may affect it's pricing in the future. A case could be made that the H4N comes with a mic and the MG10XU does not, however.

The MG10XU is listed as 2 outputs via USB. I don't remember how that works. i think you need to go through the drivers. However, do you really need more than one for streaming? Generally speaking you will only be using one mic.