clap app

Getting Ready for NAMM

Getting Ready for NAMM

Super Fan

At the end of January one of the biggest shows for the business side of the business is happening. Just across the street from Disneyland at the Anaheim convention center will be the NAMM show. We will be there, will you?

Gear Matters

While we built Fan2Stage to work with just about any type of live streaming or podcasting setup, we’ve learned that some like Twitch have big delays that just don’t really work if you want a truly live response from your audience. We are going to NAMM to see if there is any new gear there and connect with the companies that make the gear we use in the Fan2Stage and CoolToys TV Studios.



While building the Fan2Stage system and the F2s.Live servers we want to be able to run the entire process on mobile devices, and the good news is you can. As with all things in the entertainment business there can also be a better way. Currently we use several systems in our studios because we are always testing. The minimum system for the OnStage performer we recommend is a good Android Tablet or iPad. From there, OBS, Black Magic, Roku, Stream Deck and Canon Cameras are all over our studios.

It’s about the Show

Everything we do at Fan2Stage is focused on making the show better. Just because fans have to stay home or you want to host a live show from the beach in Bali, it doesn’t mean you can’t connect. The whole idea of Fan2Stage is to keep the fans and performers connected. Without the human connection, what is the point. Aren’t you just talking to a camera? When the fans are more engaged you are more engaged.

Fan2Stage, a simple solution so that there is A Live Audience for Any Stage.

Fan2Stage 2.0a Screenshot

Try The New Fan2Stage 2.0a!

Scott - CoolToys TV Host

For the past year we have been working on the next version of Fan2Stage®. There are several significant improvements in overall performance and the fan experience. The Alpha release is currently in testing and you can give it a try.

The Small Screen Gets Bigger.

One of the trends over the past couple of years is that mobile device screens have gotten bigger. With the Fan2Stage 2.0a both the artist and the fan can display the video stream on the same screen as the input buttons. Now you can take the show every where you go. We could only do this with the introduction of Chunked CMAF.

For the artists side that means that you can use a single device, mobile, laptop or desktop workstation to host a show. No need to have your phone plugged in next to your computer to make it work. This also expands the places that Fan2Stage can go and where you can host or be part of a show.

Better Servers = Better Service

We have also made a major upgrade to our servers as we prepare to split out the sports version, Fan2Field. While sports events are also shows, they have different requirements so they are getting their own servers this Spring. Our new servers are based in the US and Europe to get them closer to your show and make them faster.

There are also some new features. Instead of only getting a tip at the end of the show artists can now sell tickets to the show. We are working with video streaming services to create private shows that can only be accessed by paying fans. Look for that feature soon. No more hoping for a few pennies from ads. Artists can always record the shows and post them for ad revenue later but that just isn’t the same as live and we all know it. That is why we created Fan2Stage in the first place.

If you want to sign up and take a sneak peak at Fan2Stage 2.0a and join the next episode of CoolToys®, click here to sign up as a fan and be the first to get the new Fan2Stage LiveFan® App. I look forward to hearing from you at the show.

Scott



Support live music with the Live Fan App by Fan2Stage

Support Live Music – From Home?

Super Fan

Live Music is something that brings us all together.  After a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland Ohio, I realized how much of an impact live music has on our lives.  With the introduction of high speed internet and video live streaming, live music can happen anywhere any time.  The problem is that live-streaming a show, isn’t the same as a live show. Now you can be a part of the show and support live music even from home.

An artist or performer can use a meeting program and see a bunch of tiny faces on the screen and get distracted by the chat boxes, hand raising or funny emoji’s or you can get Fan2Stage. Fan2Stage supports live music because the performers hear real cheering from real fans without distracting little screens.  How does it work?  Simple.  After building a profile and posting a link to your show on your socials, your fans start the connection.  All you need is an android or apple mobile device with an audio out connector.  Basically a headphone jack or adapter.  

The headphone jack plugs into your soundboard, speakers or however you want to hear the fans and voila, you have a live audience in the room with you.  

How Do You Hear The Fans?

The fans at the other end watching your show on a smart TV, computer or even a tablet simply use the Fan2Stage® Live Fan® app to connect to the show.  With the app they have six reactions, clap, cheer, boo, whistle, aww and laugh.  As they press the buttons faster and harder your live audience sounds grow exactly the same way they would if the fans were in the room with you.  No tiny faces on the screens and no chat boxes to try and read that distract you from the show.  Just real fan feedback that you need to be your best.

If you live stream, don’t do it without Fan2Stage.  Sign up for free and make your show truly alive! If you are a fan and want to support live music, download the LiveFan App and let your favorite live-streaming performers know you want them to hear you cheer!

Clap App CoolToys Fan Phone Screen

The Original “Clap App”

Scott - CoolToys TV Host

Nope, not that Clap, the audience clap app!

Recently I ran into a fan of CoolToys TV in the DFW airport. Admittedly our show isn’t that popular so I was a little off guard when they stopped and said hello. Since I always have a free Fan2Stage decal or CoolToys pen with me, I gave him a pen. Then he said “So how come the show isn’t on the clap app any more?”.

What App?

Walking through the airport I have a lot of things on my mind. The last thing I was thinking about was our upcoming live show schedule. Those are the kinds of things we decide in the office when I have at least our producer in the room. Because I was just thinking about getting something to eat, I didn’t quite get what he was saying. I asked what he meant and then he showed me the Fan2Stage app on his phone.

Under CoolToys TV there weren’t any scheduled shows. He said he liked that the “clap app” gave him a notice when we had a new show coming up. I looked at my phone and sure enough we had subscribers on Fan2Stage.com. That was pretty cool. I left promising to get another CoolToys® TV episode online and live soon.

Cheer App?

So is there a difference between the “Clap App” and the “Cheer App”? Well, there are three apps in the works. The first of course is Fan2Stage which you can download and use now. The OnStage app is the version for the people hosting the shows like CoolToys TV or maybe someday Garth and Trisha from their home studio. The second app is Fan2Field and I guess you could call it the “Cheer App”. We created it specifically for youth sports and it may expand into college and pro sports soon.

Until then get Fan2Stage, the original clap app and join shows live. You press the button, we hear you, because you are wherever you are, not in our studio.

Fan2Stage Intro Video

Super Fan

Ever missed your favorite singer’s concert, or a sports event you had been eagerly waiting for,

 Or in fact a Theatre performance?

Fan2Stage brings a solution to all of these problems.

Now you can attend live concerts! Sports events and even worship together through Fan2Stage system which is a two way virtual reality platform.

And no!! You are not dreaming,

 Fan2Stage is the next Astroworld! But less chaotic haha.

This Virtual Audience System was built by performers for performers and fans.

So don’t lose fans or funds because of social distancing. Bring the Fans to your Stage! 

And don’t forget to click the bell icon and subscribe for more amazing updates!

Fan2Stage ® – Because Fans Are Everywhere

Super Fan

The lesson we learned during the pandemic is that fans are hungry and fans are everywhere, but we couldn’t hear them. More importantly, we wanted to hear them. Even when they couldn’t make it to the show they were hungry for live content. But live isn’t the same without feedback from the audience. So we found a solution that made sense. We wanted to keep in simple after trying dozens of other methods for our live version of CoolToys.TV

Fan2Stage brings real feedback from real fans to any size studio or live show. Have 50 fans in the audience and want to hear from 1000 more? Fan2Stage can make that happen. Fans can be anywhere they have internet access as long as you have a truly livestream show. We did find a few of the streams are monitored or delayed like Facebook live so while Garth and Trisha did a great job with their live shows there, we don’t recommend it for Fan2Stage.

We can bring the audience to you in realtime, you will need a live stream that brings you to the audience in real time. We are currently working with vendors to cut the latency delay of their livestreams. Some are recording them, others are monitoring them so there is a built in delay that can be up to 3 minutes. We don’t recommend Facebook live or YouTube Live unless you have the pro version on YouTube and even then performance at the time of writing is not as good as most performers would like. For now the best is a simple webcam. If you want to learn about different ways to set up your studio, check out this article.

Fans are Everywhere, hear them with Fan2Stage
Real Fans are Everywhere, Can You Hear Them?

Fan2Stage brings real fans to your shows virtually. There is nothing like the live feedback from live fans when you are on stage. We know because the founders of Fan2Stage have all worked in front of live audiences, on stage and in studio. There is no greater thrill than hearing back from your fans. Get Fan2Stage today.

If you are looking for new fans, remember, fans are everywhere ® and when they get the Fan2Stage app they can find new artists and shows like yours to follow and join the audience. Fan2Stage is about keeping us connected no matter where we are in the world. Doesn’t it make sense to connect to fans everywhere from anywhere? Don’t forget your swag too. There are versions of Fan2Stage for venues and performers of all kinds of show sizes.

If you are ready to hear from more of your fans, then it is time to start using Fan2Stage.

Fan2Stage Logo on Pickle ball court

Fan2Stage Sponsors Make a Wish Pickle Ball

Super Fan

Fan2Stage joined the local community and sponsors for the Make a Wish pickle ball tournament at Newport Beach Country Club.

The OCIE chapter of the Make A Wish Foundation held a fundraiser at the Newport Beach Country Club. Fan2Stage joined the Cain Group and other sponsors as part of the nearly $70,000 raised to make wishes come true.

“Obviously with our Fan2Field app in development it makes sense to sponsors sports related events. Maybe next year the event can be live on Fan2Field to raise more money.” said Fan2Stage CMO Kelly Bourquin who also played in the tournament. Pickle Ball is a cross between tennis and ping pong according to some, but many of the players found it to be a bit more challenging.

The next event for make a wish is the Galaxy of Wishes on December 7th, 2021

About Make a Wish

The Make a Wish Foundation mission is based on the idea that “A wish experience can be a game-changer for a child with a critical illness.”

This one belief guides us in everything we do at Make-A-Wish. It inspires us to grant life-changing wishes for children going through so much. It compels us to be creative in exceeding the expectations of every wish kid. It drives us to make our donated resources go as far as possible. Most of all, it’s the founding principle of our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child.

For more information about the OCIE Chapter of Make a Wish and other events, you can visit their website.

Youth Sports

Fan2Field – The Virtual Audience For Youth Sports

Super Fan

Fan2Stage Ltd has announced the development of Fan2Field, a version of their patent pending virtual audience system specifically for youth sports.

Social distancing isn’t the only reason you might not make your kids or grand kids games. Sometimes jobs take families to far away places. Sometimes it’s health or mobility issues. Sometimes as a parent you need to be a two places at once. With Fan2Field you can still cheer on the kids no matter where they are.

Kids Soccer needs a virtual audience - photo courtesy of https://pixabay.com/users/dimitrisvetsikas1969-1857980/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=5596790

A virtual audience system is very easy to add to any sports field that has a webcam and internet access. The Fan2Field system will run on just about any iOS (Apple) or Android (Google) mobile device. With a tablet that costs less than $200, and an audio cable, the Fan2Field Game Connect Application can bring the sounds of real fans to the field virtually.

Youth Sized – Affordably Priced

The Fan2Field system is based on the original Virtual Audience Servers designed for college and pro sports. All of the same benefits with a much lower cost to implement and manage. Fan2Field brings in a Virtual Audience for Youth sports. It doesn’t matter what game your kids play as long as there is a webcam, internet access and a speaker. Fan2Field works the same for Baseball, La Crosse, Soccer, Football and Tennis. One parent recently used an iPhone and a blue tooth speaker during a test to let grandparents cheer on the kids from another state.

Let your kids know that you are watching even if you can’t be there. Be part of the live virtual audience with Fan2Field!