Sonocast Live Streaming: Complete User Guide

Welcome to Sonocast live streaming by Sonorous Arts! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create a stream, manage your broadcast studio, and tune in to listen to others.

Table of Contents

  1. Phase 1: Creating Your Stream
  2. Phase 2: Accessing the Broadcast Studio
  3. Phase 3: Using the Broadcast Studio Web App (For Streamers)
  4. Phase 4: Using Open Broadcaster Software (For Streamers)
  5. Phase 5: Using the Listener Page (For Audience)

Phase 1: Creating Your Stream

Before you can go live, you need to register your stream session in the system.

  1. Head over to the Sonocast Menu and select the Livestream link.
  2. Streaming Allowance: Take a look at the "Your Streaming Allowance" region to make sure you have enough time available to proceed.
  3. Title Field (Required): Type a name for your stream in the "Title" edit box.
  4. Description Field (Optional): Feel free to add some details about what you'll be talking about in the "Description" text area.
  5. Proceed: Press Enter on the "Start stream" button to generate your session and move to the Credentials page.

Phase 2: Accessing the Broadcast Studio

Great! You've created your stream. Now you'll land on the Stream Credentials page.

Quick start streaming using the Broadcast Studio web app

  • Locate the WHIP (Browser/WebRTC) radio button and select it.
  • Find the link labeled "Open Browser Broadcast Studio" and press Enter. This is the easiest way to stream directly from your microphone without needing any extra software.

Phase 3: Using the Broadcast Studio (Web Browser)

The Broadcast Studio is your command center. This is where you manage your audio, go live and chat with your listeners.

Important: Initializing the Audio Engine

To comply with browser security rules, the audio processing engine starts off "asleep" when you first enter the page. Once the page loads, your browser will ask for microphone permission. Please make sure to allow this! If you don't, the system won't be able to hear you.

Note: The Effects Rack buttons (for adding real time effects) won't open or work until you interact with a primary audio button. We recommend pressing the Monitor (Loopback) button first to "wake up" the studio.

Button Descriptions and Functions

1. Main Controls

  • Go Live Button:
    • What it does: Starts sending your audio to your listeners.
    • Status: When clicked, the badge at the top changes from "OFFLINE" to "LIVE" and your timer begins.
  • Mute Button:
    • What it does: Toggles your microphone on or off.
    • Status: Your screen-reader will announce if the microphone is currently active or muted.
  • Monitor (Loopback) Button:
    • What it does: Lets you hear exactly what you sound like through your headphones.
    • Pro Tip: Use this to check your volume levels before you click "Go Live."

2. Live Chat & Listeners

  • Live Chat Panel:
    • Enable Chatting: A switch to turn the chat feature on or off completely.
    • Chat Visible to All: This switch hides or unhides the chat for everyone.
      • How it works: If you set this to Not checked (invisible), the chat area disappears for your users. You (the host) can still send messages while it is hidden, but your audience won't see them yet. When you check this checkbox, (visible), all the messages you sent while it was hidden will appear for your users.
    • Blocking Users:
      • If you need to block a user from the chat, navigate to their message.
      • Click the More Options (three dots) button next to their name/message.
      • Select Block User. A confirmation window will appear. Once blocked, that user cannot send messages. You can unblock them using the same menu.
  • Listeners Panel:
    • You can toggle this section to see a list of registered users who are currently tuned in.

3. Audio Input Sections

  • Primary Input Select: A dropdown menu to pick which microphone you want to use.
  • Input Gain Slider: A range slider (0 to 2). Use the Up/Down arrow keys to boost or lower your microphone volume.
  • Effects Rack (Primary/Secondary/Master):
    • What it does: These collapsible regions contain professional audio tools.
    • Remember: Click Monitor or Go Live first, then click the "Effects Rack" button to reveal the options.

4. Spatial Audio (The 3D Radar)

  • Description: This feature allows you to position your sound in a 3D space (Binaural Audio).
  • How to use it: While visually it looks like a radar, screen-reader users can interact with the spatial controls to move their "voice" to the left, right, or behind the listener. This creates a really immersive experience for your audience!

Phase 4: Using Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)

If you prefer using OBS, there are two methods: using the WHIP protocol (recommended) or the RTMP protocol.

Note: When you stream using OBS, the web-based Broadcast Studio will show an "External Broadcast Detected" notice. The web audio controls (like the 3D radar) will be disabled since OBS is handling the audio, but you can still use the page to manage the Chat and view your Listeners.

Method 1: Using the WHIP Protocol (Recommended)

WHIP is great because it has very low delay (latency).

  1. First, create your stream. On the stream information page, set the radio button to WHIP (Browser/WebRTC).
  2. Copy your WHIP Endpoint URL to your clipboard using the button under the read-only edit box.
  3. Open OBS, click Settings, and select the Stream option.
  4. In the Service dropdown, select WHIP (usually the last option).
  5. Paste your Endpoint URL into the Server box.
  6. Copy your Authentication Token from the Sonocast page, and paste it into the Bearer Token box in OBS.
  7. Press OK and click Start Streaming. You're live!

Method 2: Using the RTMP Protocol

  1. After creating your stream, on the Stream Information page, select the RTMP (OBS/Software) radio button.
  2. Copy your RTMP URL to your clipboard using the button under the "Full RTMP URL" field.
  3. Open OBS, go to Settings, and select Output. Change the Output Mode from Simple to Advanced.
  4. Select the Recording tab. Change "FFmpeg Output Type" to Output to URL.
  5. Paste the RTMP URL you copied into the File Path or URL field.
    • Note: You must copy and paste this new link every time you create a new stream, as the key changes each time.
  6. Select FLV in the "Container Format" dropdown.
  7. In "Video Encoder", select Disable Encoder (usually the first option).
  8. In Audio Bitrate, enter your choice (128 kbps is standard, up to 510 kbps is supported).
  9. In Audio Tracks, make sure AAC is selected.
  10. Click OK and Start Recording. Your stream will appear on the Sonocast homepage.

Phase 5: Using the Listener Page

If you are joining someone else's stream, you will use the Live Stream Player.

Player Controls

  • Join the Stream Button:
    • What it does: Connects you to the live audio.
    • Important: Browsers often block audio from starting automatically, so you must press this button manually. Once connected, the text will change to "Leave the Stream".
  • Unmute/Mute Button:
    • What it does: By default, the stream might start muted. Press this to hear the audio.
  • Volume Slider:
    • Use the Arrow keys to adjust the volume. Your screen-reader will announce the percentage (0.1 to 1.0).
  • Stream Information Region:
    • Press the 'D' key (Landmark) or 'H' (Heading) to jump here. It lists the Streamer's name, the number of current listeners, and how long they have been live.

Chat & Interaction

  • Live Chat: If the streamer has enabled it, a chat panel will appear below the player. You can type messages here. If the streamer hides the chat, you wouldn't be able to chat and your messages won't be visible to others until the streamer unhides it.
  • Listeners List: You can see who else is listening by expanding the Listeners section.

Need Help? If the audio sounds distorted when streaming, try lowering your Input Gain Slider. If you cannot hear anything on the listener page, ensure you have clicked both Join the Stream and Unmute.