Audio clipping on the Ustream live blog

[DrGeoff]

Lots of clipping today Dave, what's the audio setup?
Sounds like you need a compressor/limiter in the audio chain after the mic pre to get good volume level without the clipping problems.
You may be able to insert a plugin software compressor/limiter if your audio software allows this.

[EEVblog]

Just my standard Samson USB studio podcasting mic.
Sorry about that, I was going by the VU meter on Ustream.
For the recorded version I should be able to use the audio form my Rode VideoMic on the blog camera.

Dave.

[DrGeoff]

Either way you should still have a compressor/limiter in the audio chain, probably a software plugin. It will make life easier for you and sound a whole lot better.

There's some good free ones around like these:
http://www.acoustica.com/plugins/vst-directx.htm

Some are direct-X and some are VST, depending on what your audio software supports for plugins.

[EEVblog]

Either way you should still have a compressor/limiter in the audio chain, probably a software plugin. It will make life easier for you and sound a whole lot better.

There's some good free ones around like these:
http://www.acoustica.com/plugins/vst-directx.htm

Some are direct-X and some are VST, depending on what your audio software supports for plugins.

I don't have "audio software" for the live show, I use the Ustream web based system. So if the filter does not work at the windows microphone driver level then I suspect it's not going to work.

Dave.

[DrGeoff]

OK, do you know if you are using an ASIO driver or a directX driver for the USB microphone?

[EEVblog]

OK, do you know if you are using an ASIO driver or a directX driver for the USB microphone?

No idea, I plug it in and it works 

It apparently just uses the standard windows USB microphone driver, I did not install any drivers for it.

Dave.

[DrGeoff]

It might be MME.
You can try vsthost (free vst host that supports asio and MME drivers)
http://www.hermannseib.com/english/vsthost.htm

Now you can load VST audio effects (compressor/limiter etc) and route the audio through it.

Not sure if it is going to work with your setup, however if you have more problems with audio it may be worth a try.