electa Live Best Audio Practices Content 1. Chart with recommended audio devices 2. How to speak in a live session? 3. How to switch between full-duplex and half-duplex audio mode? 4. Some recommendations 5. Best audio practices 6. Fine tuning for best performance 7. Echo Effect 8. Avoiding background noise
Recommended Audio Devices. The following table displays different audio devices you could use with electa Live. For best experience please consider using a headset or headphones with a microphone. Analog or USB headset Best Headphones and microphone connected to your computer Good External Speakers and microphone connected to your computer External speakers and webcam microphone Poor Laptop built in microphone and speakers
How to speak in a live session? First of all as soon as you enter the live session run the Audio Setup Wizard to make sure that your audio device is properly connected to your computer and adjust your mike and speakers volume to comfortable levels. To turn your microphone on click once on the Speak button (located above the participant list). Click this button one more time to turn your microphone off. There is no need to hold down the Speak button while talking. Alternatively you may use the so called Push-to-talk mode by holding down the Ctrl key while speaking. When you are speaking your mike changes from green to blue- red and the volume speak meter is moving. Inactive microphone Active microphone How do I switch between full-duplex and half-duplex audio mode. electa Live Supports both full and half duplex audio. The full-duplex audio mode allows several people to talk simultaneously in a live session while the half-duplex mode allows one talker at a time. When used for the first time electa Live is by default in a half-duplex mode which allows only one person to speak at a time. To switch to a full duplex mode you have to be a session moderator (presenter). Click on File Settings and select Audio Quality to the left.
From the drop down list to the right choose the maximum number of simultaneous talkers. You can choose any number between 1 and 5 simultaneous talkers. One talker at a time is equivalent to a half-duplex mode because only one person will be able to talk at a time. A number from two and above will put the system into full-duplex mode. Which audio mode should I use? Both audio modes have their advantages and disadvantages. The half-duplex mode is suitable for sessions of a lecture type for mid to large groups or for classes where mostly the presenter is talking. The full-duplex audio is suitable for small group discussions, one to one tutoring sessions or conversations. Since the full-duplex mode requires more bandwidth, despite of the above, you may choose the half-duplex mode if you or some of your students are running on a slow internet connection. The best approach in this case will be to speak one after another (either using the Speak button or holding down the Ctrl key of the keyboard) Best Practices In full-duplex mode we highly recommend that you use a headset or an echo- cancelling microphone during the session. When audio is transmitted from external speakers with full duplex audio, if you leave your microphone open while others are speaking, they will hear an echo as their audio is transmitted back into your microphone. There might be a slight delay in the transmission of the audio. So users may need a bit of practice to ensure that they don t talk over one another. For larger groups, define the session etiquette where users raise their hand before they begin speaking. This will ensure that the current speaker pauses allowing the next speaker to be heard. If your users speak at the same time you can control this by temporary depriving the microphone permissions for some of them by clicking the mic image next to the respective name. Fine Tuning for Best Performance Internet is not a perfect audio transmission environment. Sometimes users may hear choppiness in the audio stream from the talking person. This is usually due to inconsistent connection speed of the talking person.
The listening users can try to improve this at their end by increasing the local audio buffer. This option is available through File Settings Local Audio Settings. To increase the buffer - move the slider to the right. This will provide more fluency but will increase the delay in audio transmission. The leftmost position of the slider will reduce the delay but may increase the choppiness in the audio stream if the current speaker does not have enough bandwidth. We recommend that attendees in full-duplex mode sessions start with the left-most position of the slider and if the audio is too choppy for them then move the slider step by step while the audio becomes smooth. The default position of the slider is shown on the picture above. If it happens that the slider should be in its right most position then you should switch to half-duplex mode in other words one talker at a time. Echo Effect The Eco effect happens when there are at least two active microphones in a session and one of the persons speaking is using speakers or the volume levels are too high. In this case your voice is played out of his speakers and is retransferred by his microphone back to you. Though electa Live is using an echo-cancellation algorithm this effect cannot be fully suppressed. To to prevent the echo effect we recommend the followings: 1. Make sure your speakers are not too loud. 2. Your microphone s volume level is not too loud. (for adjusting the microphone level refer to Windows audio settings)
3. Your microphone is not directed towards your speakers. 4. Speak one after another; The echo effect often appears when using a mobile computer with built-in speakers and a built-in microphone. In this case we recommend that you switch to an external microphone and still follow the rules above. A best way to prevent the echo is to use a headset (both you and your attendees). And keep the volume levels lower. Avoiding Background Noise Run your live classes/ online meetings from a quiet location. If using a microphone, move the microphone closer to your mouth and away from competing sounds; Avoid moving or touching the microphone during your live session. A good quality headset is recommended. Webcams microphones and built-in microphones can capture background noises.