Hi everyone,

I have been mobile streaming for events and for Soundcamp (as TUMP53 chorus) but new to setting up a more permanent offgrid-WI-FI stream, and generally unfamiliar with all things PI, so excuse the simple questions in bold if you can bear to read on, this is updated from the last one that I don't think was posted to the list.

Working out a streambox solar powered to install in a nature reserve (an open area surrounded by trees) in the UK to which only I have access but is a couple of miles from my home, so once installed just needs to run and be checked regularly on condition. The solar panel stands will be mounted on a pallet on wheels with a dri-box attached which will contain the equipment, and the mics will be sticking from that (although need to work out the distance). Have Primo EM272 mics Omni module, Stereo with 3.5mm plug*, to plug directly into the Codec?*

Other equipment so far: Raspberry Pi 0 WF (PI will ultimately power directly into the 5V usb Solar controller) / IQ-Codec Zero / Mini SD / 100w eco solar panel / Lithium iron battery 12V 18AH / Solar charge controller. (double insulation copper wire for connections, will need more waterproofing)

Teltonika 240 WI-FI Router have a mini usb to Ethernet to plug into the PI - *Tektonika has 9v plug no USB so do I need to get an Inverter as well to power it?* *12 month WI-FI SIM contract to get v aoon - Would 50mb per month be ok if potentially on all the time? Sounds like unlimited better, if that is the case would 2mb per second be ok or 10mb per second for audio streaming?*

*I am planning to set up the software PI / Codec* * with the streambox (Streambox unstable version 4.0-dev or the 3 stable version?), then connect it to the router and check with the mic if the stream works, then move onto powering it all with the set-up above, then transfer to the reserve, am I missing anything here?*

Any help is very much appreciated.

Calum

On Behalf of J D Swann Calum F Kerr Performance / Film - www.vimeo.com/calumfkerr

Listen to Thamesmead's Best Beaks with J D Swann online series on RTM - https://rtm.fm/listen/thamesmeads-best-beaks/ Supported by a bursary from a-n The Artists Information Company and Arts Council England Calum's Road to Ao-no-domon (Scotland / Japan) - www.calumsroad2aonodomon.com Society for the Preservation of Admirable Rubble (S.P.A.R) - www.preserveadmirablerubble.com http://www.preserveadmirablerubble.com Flange Zoo - www.flangezoo.bandcamp.com Lonesome Cowboys from Hell - www.youtube.com/lonesomecowsfromhell

On Fri, 20 Aug 2021 at 12:09, Grant Smith grant@soundtent.org wrote:

Hi Aidan

Thanks very much for the new streaming project and letting us know.

Listening in now I hear a lot of electronic noise, as you say.

Can you give more details on the installation / streambox, and I'm sure we can troubleshoot

bw grant

On 18 Aug 2021, at 08:45, aid oootini@yahoo.com wrote:

Hi, I have installed a streambox on Sherkin Island off the coast of Cork, Ireland. When I installed it, it was very windy, and I didn't get to do a proper sound check in situ.

Stream is here: http://locus.creacast.com:9001/sherkin_north_shore.mp3 There is some quiet digital noise in the background. the streambox is mounted distant from the mics. I have SSH access. is there anything I can tweak remotely to address this noise?

Thanks!

Aidan _______________________________________________ Locustream / Locus Sonus Streaming Project http://locusonus.org/ To unsubscribe, send a message to locustream-request@nujus.net with unsubscribe in the subject or follow instructions here https://nujus.net/cgi-bin/mailman/options/locustream _______________________________________________

---

Locustream / Locus Sonus Streaming Project http://locusonus.org/ To unsubscribe, send a message to locustream-request@nujus.net with unsubscribe in the subject or follow instructions here https://nujus.net/cgi-bin/mailman/options/locustream _______________________________________________

hi Aidan,

guess you're using Primo Em272 mics? Try to move things, cables etc., but there's a chance that iqaudio zero doesn't work well with Primo Em272 mics. I've tried many configs for many hours, also voodoo (aka expensive audio cables and others). Sometimes it helps ;) Primo EM172 are working better, though Primomic told me that there's virtually no difference. But there is. My advice: use PUI AOM5024 microphones with Pi/Iqaudio.

bests, Udo

aid:

Hi Grant,

I see the following error in journalctl:  "[locusonus@sherkin-streambox ~]$ journalctl | grep errorAug 22 22:07:42 sherkin-streambox alsactl[227]: alsa-lib main.c:1405:(snd_use_case_mgr_open) error: failed to import hw:0 use case configuration -2Aug 22 22:07:54 sherkin-streambox audio.sh[317]: alsa-lib main.c:1405:(snd_use_case_mgr_open) error: failed to import hw:1 use case configuration -2 "

The install is a rpi zero, iquadio soundcard, over a huawei 3372 4g dongle. The noise is intermittent, and is much louder at night. At this point, I'm very much out of ideas as to how to handle this, or whether anything can be done. I suspect that there is EMI from the dongle. Annoyingly, I had the set up running for weeks in my backgarden with no issues. The streambox is installed on an island, so maybe the 4g signal is weaker there. Maybe the iqAudio + rPi isn't such a good combination if it results in such noise in the field?  Aidan On Friday, 20 August 2021, 12:02:12 GMT+1, Grant Smith grant@soundtent.org wrote:

Hi Aidan Thanks very much for the new streaming project and letting us know. Listening in now I hear a lot of electronic noise, as you say. Can you give more details on the installation / streambox, and I'm sure we can troubleshoot bwgrant

On 18 Aug 2021, at 08:45, aid oootini@yahoo.com wrote: Hi, I have installed a streambox on Sherkin Island off the coast of Cork, Ireland. When I installed it, it was very windy, and I didn't get to do a proper sound check in situ.

Stream is here: http://locus.creacast.com:9001/sherkin_north_shore.mp3%C2%A0There is some quiet digital noise in the background. the streambox is mounted distant from the mics. I have SSH access. is there anything I can tweak remotely to address this noise?

Thanks! Aidan_______________________________________________ Locustream / Locus Sonus Streaming Project http://locusonus.org/ To unsubscribe, send a message to locustream-request@nujus.net with unsubscribe in the subject or follow instructions here https://nujus.net/cgi-bin/mailman/options/locustream _______________________________________________

---

Locustream / Locus Sonus Streaming Project http://locusonus.org/ To unsubscribe, send a message to locustream-request@nujus.net with unsubscribe in the subject or follow instructions here https://nujus.net/cgi-bin/mailman/options/locustream _______________________________________________

Thanks Grant. I'll respond on the thread if I figure anything out.  Aidan On Monday, 23 August 2021, 16:10:58 GMT+1, Grant Smith grant@soundtent.org wrote:

Hi Aidan Thanks for the update. Udo could be right on the mics, but I've found the Primo EM272s work fine with the iq card, and it seems the stream has sometimes been running well. On possible noise from the 4G, I find that taking the dongle out of the box using eg a 1.5m male < > female USB extender usually resolves interference issues, and may take advantage of a better signal higher up. I'm sorry that I can't offer a useful interpretation of the log. Maybe somebody else can. If the Pi can't access the device and there is no evidence of damage to the hardware, maybe it is a good idea to re-install the software. Good luck with troubleshooting bwgrant

On 22 Aug 2021, at 22:39, aid oootini@yahoo.com wrote: Hi Grant,

I see the following error in journalctl:  "[locusonus@sherkin-streambox ~]$ journalctl | grep errorAug 22 22:07:42 sherkin-streambox alsactl[227]: alsa-lib main.c:1405:(snd_use_case_mgr_open) error: failed to import hw:0 use case configuration -2Aug 22 22:07:54 sherkin-streambox audio.sh[317]: alsa-lib main.c:1405:(snd_use_case_mgr_open) error: failed to import hw:1 use case configuration -2 "

The install is a rpi zero, iquadio soundcard, over a huawei 3372 4g dongle. The noise is intermittent, and is much louder at night. At this point, I'm very much out of ideas as to how to handle this, or whether anything can be done. I suspect that there is EMI from the dongle. Annoyingly, I had the set up running for weeks in my backgarden with no issues. The streambox is installed on an island, so maybe the 4g signal is weaker there. Maybe the iqAudio + rPi isn't such a good combination if it results in such noise in the field?  Aidan On Friday, 20 August 2021, 12:02:12 GMT+1, Grant Smith grant@soundtent.org wrote:

Hi Aidan Thanks very much for the new streaming project and letting us know. Listening in now I hear a lot of electronic noise, as you say. Can you give more details on the installation / streambox, and I'm sure we can troubleshoot bwgrant

On 18 Aug 2021, at 08:45, aid oootini@yahoo.com wrote: Hi, I have installed a streambox on Sherkin Island off the coast of Cork, Ireland. When I installed it, it was very windy, and I didn't get to do a proper sound check in situ.

Stream is here: http://locus.creacast.com:9001/sherkin_north_shore.mp3%C2%A0There is some quiet digital noise in the background. the streambox is mounted distant from the mics. I have SSH access. is there anything I can tweak remotely to address this noise?

Thanks! Aidan_______________________________________________ Locustream / Locus Sonus Streaming Project http://locusonus.org/ To unsubscribe, send a message to locustream-request@nujus.net with unsubscribe in the subject or follow instructions here https://nujus.net/cgi-bin/mailman/options/locustream _______________________________________________

Thanks, Aidan The difference with the 2 capsules per channel can be heard clearly. There are some notes on a way to do that here: https://paper.dropbox.com/doc/Streambox-with-Focusrite-Soundcard--BRAr2xM4le...

I haven't tried it with Plug in Power

I got the idea from Vicki Powys' notes on her amazing DIY SASS at caperteebirder https://caperteebirder.com/?page_id=284

bw g

On 23 Aug 2021, at 16:51, aid oootini@yahoo.com wrote:

For future experimentation. There is an interesting comment here regarding wiring elecrets in parallel for better noise reduction and signal gain:

https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/324450/can-i-connect-multipl... https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/324450/can-i-connect-multiple-electret-microphones-for-better-gain

" You can increase sensitivity, gain, and signal to noise ratio by running multiple electrets in PARALLEL-not series. This works because:

1. each capsule has an onboard JFET. When combining noise from multiple FETs, some of it cancels. Two amps= -3dB, four amps= -6dB of noise reduction [see Small Signal Audio Design by Douglas Self, Routledge 2010].
2. Multiple elements will have lower output impedance, which can mean less noisy makeup gain down the line.
3. More diaphragm area means more sensitivity, which makes sense. It also means less self noise, for reasons that I don't really understand - but that's the principle behind the $3500 Audio Technica AT5047 (FOUR diaphragms!).

If you end up with a signal that is too hot and distorts the next stage, put a 10ohm resistor on the audio output of each capsule before wiring them in parallel. This averages rather than sums the outputs. "

On Monday, 23 August 2021, 16:26:05 GMT+1, aid oootini@yahoo.com wrote:

Thanks Grant. I'll respond on the thread if I figure anything out.

Aidan

On Monday, 23 August 2021, 16:10:58 GMT+1, Grant Smith grant@soundtent.org wrote:

Hi Aidan

Thanks for the update.

Udo could be right on the mics, but I've found the Primo EM272s work fine with the iq card, and it seems the stream has sometimes been running well.

On possible noise from the 4G, I find that taking the dongle out of the box using eg a 1.5m male < > female USB extender usually resolves interference issues, and may take advantage of a better signal higher up.

I'm sorry that I can't offer a useful interpretation of the log. Maybe somebody else can. If the Pi can't access the device and there is no evidence of damage to the hardware, maybe it is a good idea to re-install the software.

Good luck with troubleshooting

bw grant

...

On 22 Aug 2021, at 22:39, aid <oootini@yahoo.com mailto:oootini@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi Grant,

I see the following error in journalctl:

" [locusonus@sherkin-streambox ~]$ journalctl | grep error Aug 22 22:07:42 sherkin-streambox alsactl[227]: alsa-lib main.c:1405:(snd_use_case_mgr_open) error: failed to import hw:0 use case configuration -2 Aug 22 22:07:54 sherkin-streambox audio.sh[317]: alsa-lib main.c:1405:(snd_use_case_mgr_open) error: failed to import hw:1 use case configuration -2

"

The install is a rpi zero, iquadio soundcard, over a huawei 3372 4g dongle. The noise is intermittent, and is much louder at night. At this point, I'm very much out of ideas as to how to handle this, or whether anything can be done. I suspect that there is EMI from the dongle. Annoyingly, I had the set up running for weeks in my backgarden with no issues. The streambox is installed on an island, so maybe the 4g signal is weaker there. Maybe the iqAudio + rPi isn't such a good combination if it results in such noise in the field?

Aidan

On Friday, 20 August 2021, 12:02:12 GMT+1, Grant Smith <grant@soundtent.org mailto:grant@soundtent.org> wrote:

Hi Aidan

Thanks very much for the new streaming project and letting us know.

Listening in now I hear a lot of electronic noise, as you say.

Can you give more details on the installation / streambox, and I'm sure we can troubleshoot

bw grant

...

On 18 Aug 2021, at 08:45, aid <oootini@yahoo.com mailto:oootini@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi, I have installed a streambox on Sherkin Island off the coast of Cork, Ireland. When I installed it, it was very windy, and I didn't get to do a proper sound check in situ.

Stream is here: http://locus.creacast.com:9001/sherkin_north_shore.mp3 http://locus.creacast.com:9001/sherkin_north_shore.mp3 There is some quiet digital noise in the background. the streambox is mounted distant from the mics. I have SSH access. is there anything I can tweak remotely to address this noise?

Thanks!

Aidan _______________________________________________ Locustream / Locus Sonus Streaming Project http://locusonus.org/ http://locusonus.org/ To unsubscribe, send a message to locustream-request@nujus.net mailto:locustream-request@nujus.net with unsubscribe in the subject or follow instructions here https://nujus.net/cgi-bin/mailman/options/locustream https://nujus.net/cgi-bin/mailman/options/locustream _______________________________________________

ok great did you also try setting the soundcard inputs via the web interface at streambox.local? you can temporarily enable wifi to do that (and turn it off afterwards, as it can be a source of noise..) if on site, you can use a phone wifi hotspot (with basic characters and no spaces)

b g

On 23 Aug 2021, at 17:13, aid oootini@yahoo.com wrote:

Wow the Vicki Powys thing looks interesting! Will investigate. I might try this on the next iteration.

One other thing, which I've just tried out, is disabling the onboard (default) soundcard. On the pi zero, this shows up as HDMI in alsamixer. It's mentioned in the manual https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0174/1800/files/iqaudio-product-brief.pdf https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0174/1800/files/iqaudio-product-brief.pdf Of course, then you have to change to soundcard="0" in boot/streambox.txt. This seems to have much reduced the noise I was experiencing - I think.

Aidan

On Monday, 23 August 2021, 17:05:35 GMT+1, Grant Smith grant@soundtent.org wrote:

Thanks, Aidan The difference with the 2 capsules per channel can be heard clearly. There are some notes on a way to do that here: https://paper.dropbox.com/doc/Streambox-with-Focusrite-Soundcard--BRAr2xM4le... https://paper.dropbox.com/doc/Streambox-with-Focusrite-Soundcard--BRAr2xM4leef2fdJJKjcDmcXAg-y6K4xLUHuP31BKqhINoND

I haven't tried it with Plug in Power

I got the idea from Vicki Powys' notes on her amazing DIY SASS at caperteebirder https://caperteebirder.com/?page_id=284 https://caperteebirder.com/?page_id=284

bw g

...

On 23 Aug 2021, at 16:51, aid <oootini@yahoo.com mailto:oootini@yahoo.com> wrote:

For future experimentation. There is an interesting comment here regarding wiring elecrets in parallel for better noise reduction and signal gain:

https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/324450/can-i-connect-multipl... https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/324450/can-i-connect-multiple-electret-microphones-for-better-gain

" You can increase sensitivity, gain, and signal to noise ratio by running multiple electrets in PARALLEL-not series. This works because:

1. each capsule has an onboard JFET. When combining noise from multiple FETs, some of it cancels. Two amps= -3dB, four amps= -6dB of noise reduction [see Small Signal Audio Design by Douglas Self, Routledge 2010].
2. Multiple elements will have lower output impedance, which can mean less noisy makeup gain down the line.
3. More diaphragm area means more sensitivity, which makes sense. It also means less self noise, for reasons that I don't really understand - but that's the principle behind the $3500 Audio Technica AT5047 (FOUR diaphragms!).

If you end up with a signal that is too hot and distorts the next stage, put a 10ohm resistor on the audio output of each capsule before wiring them in parallel. This averages rather than sums the outputs. "

On Monday, 23 August 2021, 16:26:05 GMT+1, aid <oootini@yahoo.com mailto:oootini@yahoo.com> wrote:

Thanks Grant. I'll respond on the thread if I figure anything out.

Aidan

On Monday, 23 August 2021, 16:10:58 GMT+1, Grant Smith <grant@soundtent.org mailto:grant@soundtent.org> wrote:

Hi Aidan

Thanks for the update.

Udo could be right on the mics, but I've found the Primo EM272s work fine with the iq card, and it seems the stream has sometimes been running well.

On possible noise from the 4G, I find that taking the dongle out of the box using eg a 1.5m male < > female USB extender usually resolves interference issues, and may take advantage of a better signal higher up.

I'm sorry that I can't offer a useful interpretation of the log. Maybe somebody else can. If the Pi can't access the device and there is no evidence of damage to the hardware, maybe it is a good idea to re-install the software.

Good luck with troubleshooting

bw grant

...

On 22 Aug 2021, at 22:39, aid <oootini@yahoo.com mailto:oootini@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi Grant,

I see the following error in journalctl:

" [locusonus@sherkin-streambox ~]$ journalctl | grep error Aug 22 22:07:42 sherkin-streambox alsactl[227]: alsa-lib main.c:1405:(snd_use_case_mgr_open) error: failed to import hw:0 use case configuration -2 Aug 22 22:07:54 sherkin-streambox audio.sh[317]: alsa-lib main.c:1405:(snd_use_case_mgr_open) error: failed to import hw:1 use case configuration -2

"

The install is a rpi zero, iquadio soundcard, over a huawei 3372 4g dongle. The noise is intermittent, and is much louder at night. At this point, I'm very much out of ideas as to how to handle this, or whether anything can be done. I suspect that there is EMI from the dongle. Annoyingly, I had the set up running for weeks in my backgarden with no issues. The streambox is installed on an island, so maybe the 4g signal is weaker there. Maybe the iqAudio + rPi isn't such a good combination if it results in such noise in the field?

Aidan

On Friday, 20 August 2021, 12:02:12 GMT+1, Grant Smith <grant@soundtent.org mailto:grant@soundtent.org> wrote:

Hi Aidan

Thanks very much for the new streaming project and letting us know.

Listening in now I hear a lot of electronic noise, as you say.

Can you give more details on the installation / streambox, and I'm sure we can troubleshoot

bw grant

...

On 18 Aug 2021, at 08:45, aid <oootini@yahoo.com mailto:oootini@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi, I have installed a streambox on Sherkin Island off the coast of Cork, Ireland. When I installed it, it was very windy, and I didn't get to do a proper sound check in situ.

Stream is here: http://locus.creacast.com:9001/sherkin_north_shore.mp3 http://locus.creacast.com:9001/sherkin_north_shore.mp3 There is some quiet digital noise in the background. the streambox is mounted distant from the mics. I have SSH access. is there anything I can tweak remotely to address this noise?

Thanks!

Aidan _______________________________________________ Locustream / Locus Sonus Streaming Project http://locusonus.org/ http://locusonus.org/ To unsubscribe, send a message to locustream-request@nujus.net mailto:locustream-request@nujus.net with unsubscribe in the subject or follow instructions here https://nujus.net/cgi-bin/mailman/options/locustream https://nujus.net/cgi-bin/mailman/options/locustream _______________________________________________