Gadgets, Gear & Settings
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Video Device: A laptop or desktop computer are preferred for zoom for easy access to sound settings.
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.External Microphone: For the best experience, connect an external USB microphone to your laptop. Top rated are the Blue Yeti or the Yeti Snowball. You'll still be fine without one - if you have one, then hook it up.
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Playback Device: Ideally, this will be your phone or tablet. Connect this to a blue tooth speaker for the best audio quality.
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Accompaniments: For music chosen in your lessons, your teacher will usually supply you with pdfs for sheet music, along with mp3s or links for accompaniments.
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Due to lag time, accompaniment must be played at your location.
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Sheet Music: Please print your music! Have a 3 ring binder available. If your music is not yet organized into a notebook, we'll guide you in getting that done so you can move through the musical world like a pro.
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If you have a music stand, please bring it into your music space so you can use it.
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APPS: We are currently using Zoom for voice and acting lessons. Some music skills training may take place on Google Meets.
zoom audio settings
Here's a link to a list of helpful gear and how to set things up (spacing and distance) for best sound.
https://www.nmproductionsinc.com/on-line-lessons
Getting the most out of zoom audio settings:
It is important to use a laptop or desktop for your video feed. These settings cannot be accessed from a phone. You can use a phone or ipad (connected to a blue tooth speaker for volume) for your accompaniment tracks.
1. Open audio settings. Audio settings are accessed using the arrow next to the mic/mute icon) on the bottom left of the screen. Audio Settings will appear at the bottom of the dropdown menu.
Settings:
1. Unclick Automatically Adjust Microphone box
2. Choose "Original Sound or Musicians, High Fidelity Audio and Echo Canellation.
4. Music and Professional Audio:
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Click to turn on the "Show In Meeting Option to Enable Original Sound" option.
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Click to turn on the High Fidelity Music Mode option.
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Click to turn on Echo Cancellation
All Done!
Settings for the Blue Yeti:
If you own a Blue Yeti, choose the far left setting (stereo) for singing far enough away for your sound to be enhanced by the room's natural reverb. This is the most effective setting for most female voices and for male voices when singing at a distance. Start with the gain set to 9:00 and the volume set to about 11:30.
You should then be able to turn your zoom input level all the way up, or nearly all the way up.
Leave your zoom audio settings box open, and monitor your level. The goal is for the sound to remain solidly in the "green" zone. Your teacher will give you feedback on what sounds best in terms of distance and input level.
