There are many factors to consider when using AudioCompass™ for connectivity applications: computer specifications, sound card quality, remote broadcasting needs, and stability & speed of your internet connection. Please consider the below equipment as a starting point for a successful broadcast with AudioCompass™.
Hardware: AudioCompass™ will run on any PC provided the following minimum specifications are in place:
• Any Pentium 266 or better with at least a 1GHz processor or better
• At least 1GB of RAM (memory).
• OS: Windows 7 or better, with the latest updates. Audio Compass is compatible with the Mac using Parallels Desktop, VMWare Fusion, or similar virtualization software.
• Hard Drive is not as crucial. Obviously, with you working in the broadcast field, audio files are numerous and large.
However, to actually run Audio Compass requires an insignificant amount of hard drive space (10MB).
• Monitor, mouse, and keyboard are standard. Most standard on-board sound cards can work just fine. However, on very low end computers, there are anomalies that will make audio skip, have a high noise floor, or other undesirable effects. At a minimum
you'll want a specific line-in port (usually blue) in addition to the
mic port (usually pink). The line-out port will usually be green.
See Sound Cards below for our top picks.
• You don't want a computer
with a really loud fan, as it may get picked up by the mic or soundcard
and interfere with your audio quality. Desktops are usually better
and cheaper for this purpose, though laptops and netbooks may be your
choice if using AudioCompass™ in the field.
Any laptop or Notebook running Windows 7 (with latest service packs and updates) or better, will work with AudioCompass™. Many portable computers have poor sound cards which generate computer noise that may end up in the audio. Please refer to the below suggestions for USB devices that can significantly improve audio quality.
Devices that have internal flash storage, rather than hard drive storage, may run quieter and much faster. For example, many thin client devices work great with AudioCompass™ and have no moving parts. AudioCompass™ will even run on a thin client running a true Windows OS.
We do not have recommendations of
specific manufacturers because all models are different and their
offerings are changing too fast to keep up with.
Please insure that startup software is severely reduced (games, messaging clients, quick-time / real-audio, skype) for it may interfere with Audio Compass. Typically, this software can be found in the start-up folder and/or system tray (right-click on the taskbar, choose properties, and uncheck "hide inactive icons' in the notification area).
AudioCompass™
is capable of delivering high quality, low-delay, live audio over any
IP-based network that a Windows based computer can access. In short,
AudioCompass™ can utilize a variety of wired and wireless data
networks, including: LAN, WAN, Intranet, Internet, DSL, Cable, Wireless
Networks-802.11(B)(G)(N), WiMax, 3G (EVDO/UMTS), Satellite, and WiFi,
including hotspots .
Remember, AudioCompass™ will only
perform as well as your Internet Connection. On a LAN, you should have
virtually perfect audio. Many people look for the fastest internet
connection they can get, in terms of raw speed. For AudioCompass™,
this is not necessary. However, a broadband wired or wireless connection
is required.
We are actually looking for Quality of
Service over raw speed. Low delay and minimal or no packet-loss
connecti ons, will serve your broadcasting needs best.
Sound Cards
An on-board soundcard may work just
fine as you start broadcasting with Audio Compass. Most likely, you’ll
find your audio quality suffers and you’ll want something better. If
that’s the case, consider the following Sound Cards:
• The Delta44 from M-Audio ($150-$200).
• The FastTrack USB card from M-Audio, MSRP $130
USB Devices
You can use the below USB devices for remote broadcasts, using a laptop or any other thin client solution. These devices appear in Windows as just another sound card. AudioCompass™ allows you to select which sound card you’d like to use; these devices are simply Plug and Play.
The top picks below consist of a
microphone or XLR jack (for the microphone of your choice), a headphones
output and game/trim knobs for fine tuning.
• Rode Podcaster USB MIC
• MicPort Pro
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