Live Stream Your Services and Increase Productivity with Remote Collaborations

Are you marketing your services to local bands and artists?

If you’re answer is yes… Awesome.

How about bands and artists in other parts of the world?

No? Why not?!?

In today’s world of technology and of course, the internet, it is inexcusable to not market your services abroad. Whether you produce, engineer, mix, or master, there is an entire world out there waiting. And… I’d be willing to bet that no matter your skill level, someone will find value in your services and hire you, NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE.

In a previous post I provided step by step instructions for building a remote friendly client list. In today’s post, I want to share with you an incredibly productive solution to collaborating with your clients whether they live down the street or on the other side of the world.

Meet, Nicecast.

Here’s what the makers of Nicecast say on their website:

“Nicecast is the easiest way to broadcast music from your Mac. Broadcast to listeners around the world. Nicecast can help you create your own internet radio station or allow you to listen to your iTunes Music Library from anywhere in the world!”

Not badly said, but I think I can do better… Here’s my attempt:

“Nicecast is the easiest way to broadcast a live stream out of your DAW straight from your Mac. Broadcast to listeners around the world. Nicecast can help you to simplify the review process while also adding comfort to your clients who can’t be where you are. Use Nicecast for your production, mixing, or mastering review process and serve your clients worldwide!”

Okay, so I’m no advertising guru, but you get the point. Pair Nicecast with your choice of video chat app and you’ve got a professional, high quality (320 Kbps) bonus to offer your clients. Not to mention a way to reduce the time in the revision process!

I prefer to use Google Hangouts alongside Nicecast because you can share your screen for free, but I’m told that Skype now allows this as a free option as well.

Curious as to how it works?

Download Nicecast here: https://www.rogueamoeba.com/nicecast/

Once you download the app, launch it. Open your DAW. I use Pro Tools and have had no issues at all, but this is not exclusive to Pro Tools. You can use any DAW.

From the Nicecast app, select Source. Now choose your DAW.

Next, click on Quality. Select Custom… from the drop down menu. For Bitrate, choose 320 Kbps. Make sure that Stereo is selected and lastly, I recommend sliding the quality slider up. If you experience any issues with your DAW’s performance (I haven’t) than you may experiment with this option.

Click Share and copy the internet link provided. Text, email, or share that link however you desire with your collaborator/client. They can access the stream from their smart phone, tablet, or computer. Right?!?! Pretty awesome!

It’s important to note that a unique link is created every time that you start a broadcast. This helps to prevent your other clients from having access to your streams from other projects.

Once Nicecast is broadcasting live to your client, go ahead and launch a video chat session, share your screen and BAM! You’re now collaborating in near real time. I usually experience a 2-3 second delay, but that’s a small price to pay for the increase in productivity. Obviously the delay will be determined by yours and your collaborator’s internet connection speed.

Are you working with clients remotely? Have you been using a different method similar to Nicecast? Share your thoughts below so we can grow together.