Roland - Livestreaming Studio for Content Creation on iOS Devices to Switch Dual Cameras, Display Titles, and More - WHITE

Item came in as described and works perfectly. Highly recommended.

--- SETUP --- The setup of Roland Live Streaming Studio initially takes about 30 minutes while you study what goes connected where. After your first setup, you will be able to connect everything in about 10 minutes or less. In order for this to work, you need to download the streaming app called GO:LIVECAST. You will also need to provide your own USB charger or you can use this with a traveling battery USB charger. None of my USB mics worked, so I used the embedded mic. I connected a micless pair of headphones (to test the internal mic), and I tested this product using an iPhone 12 Max Pro with iOS 14.2.1. --- FEATURES --- The key feature of this streaming studio is that you can make your live stream unique by adding video/photo transitions, music loops, sound effects, and text on screen all from just your phone, without the need of a computer. The studio also features an embedded microphone, mic monitoring, and a dedicated mute button. --- PERFORMANCE --- The performance of the studio was great. There are preset buttons that you can modify with the included video loops, music, sound effects and text. The text is editable so you can display what you want your viewers to read. From within the app itself, you can turn on both your outward facing camera and your selfie camera. This is great when you want to have a picture in picture mode that shows you and whatever it is you want your audience to see. You can also connect a second satellite camera, which requires that all devices being used be on the same Wi-Fi network. This will allow you to have a separate camera away from your mobile device to be able to aim it in a different direction other than straight ahead of where you are sitting. Using the satellite connection, you can also stream a satellite secondary mobile device, which you can use to stream a video game or whatever you are doing on that device. The mic monitoring works marvelously and so does the mute button. For picture in picture, it was great to show my audience what I wanted them to see (in this case, the Live Streaming Studio), while I talked about it. Changing from transition to transition or adding text on the screen was simple, but you are limited to the six buttons. You can always remove things you may not use, like the sound effects or music and add another video loop, transition, or text overlay, but since the buttons are pre-labeled with no way to modify them, you need to remember which button it is you relabeled. I was able to successfully stream to Facebook and Twitch from my phone, but I could not get YouTube to work even though through the app, I was able to log into YouTube. --- EXPECTATIONS --- The product has many wonderful features. However, if I am to be honest, some improvements could be made in how you plug things into the studio. For example, I own over 5 USB cameras and 4 USB microphones. Since they are all USB devices without a WiFi signal, I can’t use them. I have to rely on devices that would have access to WiFi like my iPad and my iPhone. What this means is that some ports go unused or my recording won’t be as high quality as what I can do from home. To be fair, this is meant to allow you to record away from home, but for a good quality stream, you need to buy devices that include a WiFi option to connect to and have access to WiFi wherever it is that you want to record. You are able to plug in headphones that include a microphone, so that’s one option that can work if you don’t want to use the embedded microphone on the studio itself. Additionally, you can plug in instruments or microphones that require a male to female or TS male to XLR male cables. You can also connect an alternative direct audio source, like a separate MP3/4 player with an auxiliary cable. I love the fact that I can make my own intro/exit video loops on my computer and add them to the app via my phone’s library. What I can’t do is add extra sound effects. I am limited to those in the app. There is a workaround, which is to create a sound effect and add it to your music library, but it seems like the process could have been simplified. --- VALUE --- There is definitely a value for some people in this device, I may just not be one of them, as most streams that I do are so much easier to set up with my USB mics/cameras, OBS, and a relatively cheap laptop. --- APPROVAL --- I highly recommend this product for musicians/podcasters/live-camera talk show hosts who may not be as tech savvy and want to be able to stream their work. If you are already used to doing a live-stream with your laptop, this may not be for you.

Got a chance to use the Roland Go:Livecast for smart phones. I was really interested since could be easier to do live casting for youtube. Here's my thoughts with it. In the box: Roland Go:LiveCast USB cable for Android phones USB cable for power Setup: Setup was pretty easy, just download the Roland Go:LiveCast app and it will walk you through the process but manuals are on the app itself so could be frustrating to look on your phone and then go back to the app and back to the PDF file to reread the manuals Use: The Roland Go:LiveCast was as easy as I thought it would but, you have to set up a few thing and get familiar with the buttons and definitely read the user manual on the app, wish they gave you a paper quick guide. Once you get familiar it would be easy to setup a few quick shortcuts to little task like playing an intro video or showing B-Roll video or even cut to a quick picture and sound effects. Pros: Quick short cuts to small task Cons: limited customization, especially placement of photos or videos. requires extra phone or tablet on the same wifi for satellite video feed App kept on crashing when using custom videos or sounds In conclusion, I really can't recommend this at this time.

I have been looking for a compact and easy to carry the device to do live streaming. Roland - Live Streaming Studio for Smartphones is a perfect choice. It came with GO: LIVECAST Streaming Studio for Smartphones, Lightning to USB Micro-B type cable, USB Type-A to USB Micro-B type cable, USB Type-C to USB Micro-B type cable, and QuickStart Guide. Setup is relatively easy. I have used a USB power adapter and connected a USB Micro B cable to the streaming studio and connected a lightning cable to my iPhone 11 Pro max, and connected the condenser mic via XLR input as well. There are two ways to provide the power supply. For outdoor use, it can be connected using a USB cable with a power bank. At home, it can be connected to a power outlet using the USB power adapter. All cables have been provided for iPhones or Android devices. I have downloaded Roland GO: LIVECAST app from the iOS app store. There are various buttons on the top of LIVECAST streaming studio to adjust mic sensitivity, mic effect on/off, Power indicator, adjust the pad volume, mute the mic, Satellite camera button, ON AIR button for live broadcasting or video recording. There are a set of buttons to show still images or videos, stream sound efforts, background music, etc. On the left side, there are options to connect headphones, headset, or monitor speakers. On the right side, there is a button to set 48V phantom power for condenser mics along with XLR input. If you are using a Dynamic microphone, please set it OFF. In the LIVECAST app, there are various options to set Beauty Filter, Live Set, ability to comment, Camera selection, Mic effect, Pad assign, and Broadcast. It will show the LIVE/Rec indicator, Elapsed time on the top. During live streaming, there are options to play background music, Drum roll, and Applause effects. Pad buttons can be configured with different settings. Screen orientation can be set as portrait or landscape mode during live streaming. The broadcast destination can be set as Facebook Live, YouTube, Twitch, and TwitCasting and authentication has to be done with user ID and password. In Facebook Live, there are ways to set the destination as TimeLine, Page, or Group. In YouTube Live, the options can be Public, Unlisted, or Private. I have tried live stream with Facebook Live and YouTube and the Streaming quality was outstanding with clear sound. There are tons of features in Roland Live Streaming Studio for Smartphones and the manual has very detailed information. It is compatible with many iOS and Android phones. I highly recommend Roland Live Streaming studio due to the compact factor and many built-in features.

I was thoroughly impressed by media tool. This device has so much functionality and helps streamline doing streams. While shooting video, I was able to transition to different cameras with ease and the app did prove to be quite useful in using the different features. The plastic material did feel cheap, but overall it was a great addition to help me creating web content.

Roland’s GO:Livecast can certainly take your live streams to the next level, but it is extremely hard to justify the high price they are charging. The mobile app offers support for streaming via Facebook Live, YouTube, Twitch, TwitCasting, and a Custom RTMP, but sadly they do not allow quick and easy support for streaming on Instagram - which is a huge fail. I was also shocked that the package doesn’t come with all of the accessories required. The device comes with cables to connect the Go:LiveCast to an Apple or Android phone, but it does not come with a power brick/adapter - so, technically the device cannot even power on without additional accessories - Which is astounding considering the package costs hundreds of dollars. Also frustrating is that the power cable is only 16 inches - which is too short to reach down to an outlet while it is sitting on a table. The intention appears to be for the user to use a portable battery pack to power the device, but the battery pack is yet another accessory that is not included. The Go:LiveCast is easy to use and admittedly it is convenient to have access to physical buttons to add sound effects, play video clips/animations, etc. The best feature of the Go:LiveCast is the ability to sync a second phone to allow streaming from two cameras - which you can switch between at the press of a button. The trouble is that there can be difficulty with compatibility - don’t automatically assume that you can use an old phone as a second streaming device. The 6 buttons on the face of the Go:LiveCast can be customized within the app. The application/buttons can even be set to display pictures or videos from your phone’s memory. This means that the user can play a prerecorded introduction video - which truly adds a professional look. The Go:LiveCast really can improve the quality of live streams, but the features it offers may not be worth the money. And, these features are definitely not expected, even from those who are the most popular Live-Streamers. At the current price I simply cannot recommend the Go:LiveCast. The effects are limited, video effects do not adjust to fit in both vertical and landscape formats, the device doesn’t play mic audio within the headphones, there are mobile device compatibility issues, and the package doesn’t even come with all of the accessories needed to use the device. I personally feel that the cost of this device would be better spent on a Ring Light, a tripod, and a microphone.

This device is amazing for making your casting a "one man band." You can easily add sound effects, videos, microphone effects, instruments, etc. It's the "Tonight Show" on your phone. As confusing as it may seem on paper, once you have the app installed, it becomes pretty straight forward. The buttons on the unit correlate with the screen. Touch the screen button and a sub menu appears with a default. Switch the default for whatever you like. Easy peasy. One feature that isn't mentioned enough, in my opinion, is that you can pre-record a show. So, if you want to do a really technical show for uploading at a later date, you can simply hit record, and boom, syndication when ready. The connections on the unit are fairly simple as well. The internal microphone does the trick, but can be a bit tinny if the reverb/volume isn't tinkered with before hand. For my recordings, I used the Phantom Power and connected a condenser, and I was impressed. Great little preamp on minimal power. Same goes with instruments, although if you use the preamp for a mic, and don't want to carry another mixer, you will need to use a 1/4" connecter for input. For a powered keyboard, no problem, but a guitar could be tricky. The unit itself is extremely light and can easily run on a mobile power pack if you're on the go. The buttons and build feels sturdy enough that I can toss it in my bag and go. I would have preferred a case, but not a big issue. In my casting, I usually have to carry around several pieces of equipment to replicate what this can do alone. For that, this is/can be amazing for limitless ideas. Now, why the loss of a star? Two main compatibility issues. Now these are indeed printed online, but they are not easy to find and should be more prominent. The first is no Instagram support. Being one of the top platforms in use, this should be a given, especially since Instagram TV is such a staple. I hope this is updated in the near future as this is a definite downside for the millions of Instagram content producers. Yes, you can pre-record and upload, but live is a key choice that's missing. Second, mobile compatibility. I am an Android user. I have 5 Android devices at my disposal, all manufactured within the last 2-3 years, and only 1 of them will work with this device. That is disheartening, as the use of a satellite camera will mean that you will two up-to-date, most likely current, devices. For many users, that isn't an option, which is a bit of a stalemate when wanting to use a satellite camera. Once again, this information is available if you hunt for it, but should be prominent with such limited compatibility. As a matter of fact, my phone isn't even listed, which shows the updating may be limited. For the record, I'm using a Note 20 Ultra. There's also a feature where you should be able to use both cell cameras at once. Roland states your phone may not have this feature. Other apps I have can do this on my phone, but apparently this can't…on a flagship brand new device. Odd. So, in summary, make sure your device is compatible. LG users…you're out. In closing, if you have a compatible device and the social media platforms you use are compatible, this is an amazing all-in-one producer. Just be sure all those boxes are checked before purchasing.

PRODUCT DOES WHAT I WNATD IT TO DO ITS OK. WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM BE MORE CAPATIBLE WITH MORE DEVICES. THE MIC IS LOW AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE VOLUME ALL THE WAY UP IN ORDER TO ENJOY IT TO ITS FULL CAPACITY