Setting Up Your Equipment

Here are instructions for:

1. Zoom
2. Video set up for our one-on-one sessions and before/after videos
3. Microphone and webcam recommendations for those who don’t have these items already.

Adjust your Zoom Settings:

1. Go to “Settings”

2. Click “Audio,” then set Suppress background noise to “Low.”  Under Music and Professional Audio, check the option to “Show in-meeting option to “Turn On Original Sound” from microphone.”  Also check the square for “High-fidelity music mode.”  Your screen should look like this:

3. In “Advanced,” set Echo Cancellation to “Auto”

Video Set Up:

1.  Have the at camera about instrument level or slightly above so that I can observe how your bow is contacting the strings.  It would be helpful as well to definitely be able to see both arms and hands at all times.
2. I’d love to be able to check your entire stance, so if possible, place your camera in place where you can walk a few feet back, if needed, for a full body image.
3. Make sure that you are adequately lit.  Avoid having a window or a bright light behind you, otherwise the camera tends to capture only your silhouette.  If necessary, put lamps behind the camera in front of you or face a window with good light.
4. Review your before/after video to check for sound quality and visibility and make sure that your device is not capturing a mirror image of you such that you appear to be backwards.

Microphone and Webcam Recommendations:

You don’t need to purchase any of these if you already have a way of attending our Zoom sessions and capturing your sound, but it was requested that I provide some recommendations.

Logitech C922 Webcam: https://amzn.to/3cuT211

Blue Snowball: https://amzn.to/2RZHqt9

FIFINE Usb microphone:  https://amzn.to/2RXQ5fK

Blue Yeti Usb mic:  https://amzn.to/306CA1S

AT4040 mic:  https://amzn.to/340ziyn (You’ll need to search for a separate xlr cable and you’ll need the preamp listed below.)

AT2035 mic kit (I have this microphone):  https://amzn.to/2G1cjLo  (You’ll need the preamp listed below)

A Preamp for connecting the latter two microphones to a computer via usb:  https://amzn.to/2Ho5Omg

If purchasing a different mic – you’ll want to make sure that it records in a cardioid or omnidirectional pattern.  In order to more accurately capture a more honest sound, you’ll also want the frequency response chart to be fairly flat (unlike microphones with a bass boost).