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Live Vorbis Streams Over 802.11b From SXSW.com
chupacabra writes "SXSW.com in Austin, Texas has a group of computers in various music venues around town. The ices/icecast stream is sent over 802.11 to a main server at SXSW. There are 6 venues running as of this moment. Thanks to the folks at Vorbis and their CVS we are rocking.
See sxsw.com/music/livestreams."
I have to have a 802.11b receiver to listen, why not use an FM transciver?
I know it's cool and everything, but there's a fine line between being cool and useless (see flushing toilets vs. Thomas Jefferson's two documents at once copier)
Ultimately, it doesn't come down to the medium used, it doesn't come down to the neat technology, or the gentoo Linux. it all boils down simply and only to this:
Does it provide something people will pay enough for?
Yes, it's neat. I get to hear musicians play music that's not well mixed (it never is "live" unless you spend serious dough) and has alot of background music. (Plates clattering, etc)
But live music is best served... live! Right in front of you!
Live music is when you can experience the sights and smells. It's the sparkle in the eye of your wife (or hopefully, at least girlfriend) as you eat a delicious plate of Italian food, whilst a musician plays to your left.
It's the look of giddy happiness on my lovely 11 y.o. daughter, dancing at a "Concert in the Park" held downtown on a hot summer eve.
It's seeing the attempts by the musician to truly communicate with the audience. It's an interactive, feedback-driven experience.
Recorded music is canned, and attempts to compensate with impeccable mixing and special effects.
One of the most memorable renditions of music I've seen recently was a bum on the street. He appeared to be mildly intoxicated, but had an old catgut guitar. He asked for alms, we agreed but demanded a tune.
I then heard one of the most intense renditions of "Candle in the Wind" I've ever heard. It was unpolished, rough, and a few of the chords were simply wrong. But he played with heart and soul, and gave it all he had.
He earned a few bucks from me, but you could never capture soul and feeling like that if you played it through speakers.
-Ben
I have no problem with your religion until you decide it's reason to deprive others of the truth.
To me, any time we start developing a technology which can be freely used by all without worry of the letter in the mail, its cause for celebration.
They are testing it, and the better the tools we have in the box, the better we can do a job. And thats the end result isn't it? Getting from here to there with a minimum of effort.
I use the efforts of others daily, and it is my hope that before I leave this planet, I can leave something for others.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
valid point, for streaming mediums other than wired point to point setups, (or basically wireless broadcast to the masses, a stateless streaming setup would be much more scalable, with minimal if any client return data)
To each his own. I hate "live" music. It's so... imperfect. I have a friend who swears up and down that live jazz sounds better, but all the jazz shows I've gone to see (a good number since my wife loves jazz) have pretty crappy production values. On the other hand, give me any album by Lyle Mays and I'll be on cloud nine. There is just something wonderful about well produced music that retains artistic integrity.
Actually, you're both right. :) That's what makes the two completely different mediums thrive.
A Concert in the Park is one of the most exhilirhating experiences I've ever had, personally, (and yes, when you come from Texas, you have a lot of sex). Evening at town lake is a beautiful place, and to add music to the mix along with all the friendly drunk Texans. It's just a great thing. Hell, even the stupid 4th of July fireworks at town lake is cool, even with the stupid symphony playing.
There's also quite a few stupid little bars that have nothing but a bar, a few tables, and a stage. Literally half the joint will be the stage. Then they get some stupid blues guys up there that don't give a shit, just want to make some music and take a few tips. Warmest music I've ever heard. Or you can check the The Jazz, if they're still around. That's a pretty entertaining place. Good drinks, I never ate the food there.
On the other hand, there are all kinds of flaws in the sound of live music. That's the nature of the medium. With recorded music, you lose the atmosphere (or you create your own), you lost any chance the artist has at creating an atmosphere for you, and it's just you and the music. Luckily, there's plenty that can be offered here.
I used to prefer recorded music myself, because live music is such a pain in the ass to see. Then I found myself down in the middle of the mosh pit when Anthrax opened for that stupid Texas metal band and I finally got a good, strong understanding of what live music is all about.
Like what I said? You might like my music