Hey FTL...

[vox_monitor]

I was just poking around your site, motivated to do so by the many lively forum discussions - and I happened to click on your press section.

I couldn't help but notice that there's no mention of the fact that Vox Monitor reviewed your show! I looked right above USA TODAY, where I'd naturally expect us to be, but no Vox Monitor! Tsk tsk. :wink:

eric

[Ian]

Fix your audio, re-review, you get posted, and featured on the front page. 8)

I had considered it, but decided the mic issues you had made it too difficult a listen.

[vox_monitor]

If I might ask the following. Can you listen to a minute of a recent cast and let me know if the audio is adequately fixed? I remain curious about that problem you pointed out, and have yet to understand exactly what you were hearing.

I still record in mostly panned stereo - I have improved the mic set up and preamp, however.

thanks,

eric@popgoeslethal.com

[Ian]

Ack. My bad. I didn't take what you said about the panning issue and internalize it correctly. When I opened your audio in Adobe Audition and looked at the waveforms, I realized I was only listening to your left channel audio... no wonder you couldn't figure out what the problem was.

I'm probably the only person who ever listened that has had this problem, and it's because of the way I have my studio set up.

That said, someone with a pair of speakers of which one is not working would experience the same issue.

I suggest that you pan both mics back to center, and encode in mono. There's really no reason for talk to be in stereo unless you're obsessed with having your music beds in stereo. Encoding in mono would allow you to cut the bitrate in half, and still have the same audio quality. Same show, same quality, half the bandwidth requirements.

Now that I know what is wrong, I can correct the review of FTL, and post it.

[Ian]

Good things come to those who ask. You're on the front page, and I've put you in the podcast.

Thanks again,
Ian

[vox_monitor]

big thanks man, you're the coolest!

[radioclash]

I also found the panned vocals a bit heavy going, and the low quality (although you seem to have improved from 11 to ahem 16 where my podcast is reviewed :-D). But still, hard panning left/right is difficult to hear in headphones...ouch.

Also you bed music seems a bit loud - although that might be because that's centre and you're both not...and some of the stings are a bit loud - but again that might be hard l/r panning and straining to hear them...

[vox_monitor]

After the episode in which we reviewed ftl, I did the next one in mono because I figured that probably others would encounter the single channel problem.

And I just really missed the panning. I don't know, maybe I'm crazy, and maybe most people either wouldn't notice or care, but I really like the panning.

But of course, you're probably right. I mean it would save bandwidth and eliminate a few problems like this one if I went mono. I don't do stereo for the music, although certain specific songs might demand stereo, so I dunno...

It's a good subject for a thread actually. Panning.

[vox_monitor]

I also found the panned vocals a bit heavy going, and the low quality (although you seem to have improved from 11 to ahem 16 where my podcast is reviewed :-D). But still, hard panning left/right is difficult to hear in headphones...ouch.

Also you bed music seems a bit loud - although that might be because that's centre and you're both not...and some of the stings are a bit loud - but again that might be hard l/r panning and straining to hear them...'

I wonder how many people listen to podcasts in headphones.

Because I think it would probably bug me a bit in headphones too..

One advantage of the panning is the levels need to be less perfect. Each voice has it's own space and can be clearly heard easily. Of course, if I let that let me be lazy, then I end up with the problem you describe, where the music is too big or small....

Bottom line is these shows take me a long *** time to make, and I'm trying to hurry and get them done more quickly, and sometimes audio things get under attended to. Plus I've got no means of adequate monitoring here at my house. I need some transparent monitors bad.

[Ian]

I wonder how many people listen to podcasts in headphones.

I would guess the majority! :lol:

[jeffoest]

I think I said this in another forum somehwere, but I would seriously consider nixing the panning of voices. If you truly feel compelled to do it, a compromise might be to only pan a bit and maybe make sure you have some reverb coming in the opposite channel to offset. In headphones especially, most folks pefer the voice to be front and center (though panning can be used very effectively for certain effect or emphasis)....

If you are trying to distinguish the voices more clearly, perhaps a bit of different EQ applied and/or different branded mics may be the ticket...

anyway - it doesn't mean that much - just another opinion for your consideration....

[vox_monitor]

You guys convinced me. No more panning, at least for a couple of shows, to see if I get used to it all centered, maybe I'll even come to prefer it.


thanks for all the input,

eric

[justSue]

You guys convinced me. No more panning, at least for a couple of shows, to see if I get used to it all centered, maybe I'll even come to prefer it.


thanks for all the input,

eric

Aw, man! I liked having Eric in one ear and Chory in the other. It was.... well...kinda... nevermind. awww, man!!

[insert LOL here]