Technical requirements for the Drone Project participants:


Each site will need a minimum of two computers in this first phase of the
project, one for transmission and one for reception.  Sites will broadcast
individual streams to the project RealAudio server in North America using the
RealEncoder.  These signals will aggregated at a central mixing point in New York
City, and then rebroadcast onto the Internet.  Participating sites, along with
the Internet audience, will receive this aggregate signal via the RealPlayer by
following links on the "Finding Time" web site.


The individual sites will use this audio feedback in real time to gauge the time
delays involved, and will enter into a shared musical space that will involve
all of the sites.  Sites should have adequate audio equipment on hand to isolate
the aggregate signal from their own broadcast signal, so as to prevent feedback
loops.


All computers involved will have to be relatively modern machines -  minimum of
150Mhz Pentium running Windows95 or NT, or 120Mhz PowerPC running MacOS.  It is
also possible to use Linux or other UNIX machines if available.  Sound cards are
required for this project.


The broadcasting and receiving machines will have different requirements in terms
of connection speeds and quality.  This will really only affect sites that have
limited bandwidth options, which is, of course, more common outside of the United
States.


--  Broadcast machines generally require digital lines (ISDN, T1, ADSL) for
reliable transmissions.  Low bit-rate broadcasts have been accomplished over
analog lines, but given the complexity of this project it is almost impossible. 
We will attempt to achieve the highest broadcast quality possible, which
necessitates the presence of a digital line.

--  Receiving machines can function acceptably well over analog lines, although
if sites can use digital lines, or aggregate lines (such as T1) this is
recommended.  The RealPlayer has sophisticated buffering schemes to smooth
playback, although this is limited when attempting live broadcasts.  If analog
lines are used they should be tested extensively, particularly in receiving
broadcasts from North America, where the drone signal will originate.



The audio setup required is fairly simple -  essentially a level of equipment
required for a home studio.  Essential elements will include:


	mutli channel mixer
	instrument mics 
	headphones 
	audio cabling to and from both computers


There is a good document on the Real site that outlines technical approaches to
getting good sound from RealAudio - see link below.  I have found that generally
the most important thing to do in preparing for a broadcast is to adequately
test levels, and ensure that there is no clipping.

http://www.real.com/devzone/library/stream/audiohints.html


All software required to participate in this project is freely available from
Real, or from the project team.  We will work with sites to prepare for the
broadcast, and will be doing test broadcasts in the weeks preceding the project.


email ==> jgilbert@wesleyan.edu   for all inquiries