I’m getting the itch to start up a regular show on mixcloud and would love some help sorting out what additional hardware I need to buy to get going.
I found a few threads talking about broadcast mode in Denon hardware but as I can’t find it anywhere in the Prime 4+ menus, I’m assuming I can’t just USB it right into my laptop and get going that easily? (Chalk up another reason I regret moving from Traktor)
So, other threads are talking about a 20 quid Behringer UCA202 and an RCA to USB or jack converter.
Most threads around this are quite old though so I’d love to know if things have moved on or improved recently to make this easier/less extra money outlay.
I don’t know how mixcloud works but one of the cheapest solutions for live streaming is to use software like OBS installed on a computer.
OBS can receive an external audio signal through the computer’s sound card input and you can for example add one or more video sources (camera, screen capture etc…).
You can then easily connect to a streaming server by setting up this server in OBS which will send the stream when you start broadcasting.
If mixcloud allows live streaming I think it can work. But I’m not sure if mixcloud allows anything other than uploading a pre-recorded mix. Finally I may be making a mistake here because I don’t use this streaming service.
If your computer does not have a decent sound card for streaming, you can get a small external sound card but check that it has audio inputs.
Then a simple cable between the rec output and the audio input of the sound card should be enough to recover the audio signal in OBS.
I do not have a Prime 4+, so I do not know if there is something hidden in the settings that enables sending audio via USB … in the manual I could not find any info about it.
But I know broadcast mode, it is a feature of the x1800 and 1850 mixers. I have an x1850 mixer and I love it a lot. But you can use many other mixers as well, anything that can send USB audio for example to OBS. DJ mixers tend to be quite a bit more expensive than studio mixers, which come in all sizes … check out Mackie mixers, they are quite cool and affordable. I like them a lot.
One of the benefits of having a mixer is that you can plug in more stuff, maybe a synth or use an external effect unit via a send/return loop (if the mixer offers this). As far as I know, the Prime 4+ does not have send/return connectivity …
Depending on the model, the mixer may offer a limiter or compressor, and an additional EQ is always welcome. I would probably go for a 10 or 12-channel channel Mackie mixer or a Yamaha mixer … and I would not expect miracles from a “20 quid” interface, but for streaming it might be ok.
Jordan has some good points for using a mixer:
I use the x1850 mixer for streaming via OBS, plus an MX-1 performance mixer from Roland connected via send/return, because it is just so much fun. You cannot have too many mixers.
And if you go for a mixer, beware of the phantom power … not all phantoms are evil, but the 48V phantom powers are from a different cosmos …
OP, Mixcloud offers streaming via their Pro Sub. I believe it’s $15 USD per month. With that said, look up an iRig Stream and that’s all you’d need to connect the Prime 4+ via booth (or master) output into the iRig. You can plug the iRig into a computer (PC or Mac), Android phone/tablet, or iOS phone/tablet and you’re good to go. For Android and iOS I would suggest using Streamlabs broadcasting software they offer on those platforms. It’s very simple and easy to do. You could always stream on Twitch and not have to pay a dime though, same thing with Youtube. Good luck…
The issue with Twitch is they now have a “DJ Program” which, when you opt in, specifically prohibits you from playing any track not on their “Allowed” list. Which means you have to check every single track before you play it.
No thanks
I’ve been on mixcloud at the free tier for a while so I’m happy upgrading with them.
I bought the updated Behringer UCA222 and while I also bought an RCA to USB, that wasn’t needed. Plug the UCA222 into the laptop and it just works. It shows up as a source in OBS.
