Please follow these steps in advance of the event to facilitate smooth running and to help you and the other participants get the most out of the session:
- Please provide us with some further information regarding your performance using the form link sent to you by email upon sign-up. If possible, please use an edition with bar numbers (or write bar numbers in your score) so that we can quickly identify a bar in question.
- You can either play live from within the Zoom meeting or share a recording you have recently made (further instructions are provided below).
Participation options
Sharing a recording
You can make a recording using your phone, tablet or computer using your preferred recording app. You can also make a recording by starting a meeting on Zoom then clicking the “record” button (when you are finished, you will have a link to the recording).
Once you have made your recording, please send us a link to download it using a file sharing service e.g. WeTransfer, DropBox or Google Drive. We will then facilitate the playback on your behalf during the session.
Live playing
Please note that if you are performing live, you need to optimise the audio settings in Zoom for music making otherwise the piano sound will be distorted. The following are some tips for ensuring that you have the correct settings for a live performance:
1. Adjust Audio Settings for High Fidelity:
- Enable Original Sound: Go to Settings > Audio and select “Original Sound for Musicians” under Audio Profile.
- Disable Echo Cancellation: Turn this off, especially if you’re using headphones, to prevent audio from being “ducked” or distorted.
- Set Background Noise Suppression to Low: The default “Auto” setting is too aggressive for music; set it to “Low” to avoid cutting out musical details.
- Check Stereo Audio: Enable this to capture a wider soundstage, which is crucial for mixing and production.
- Disable Auto-Adjusting Volume: Uncheck “Automatically adjust microphone volume” to maintain consistent musical output.
2. Optimise Your Hardware & Internet:
- Use an External Microphone: A dedicated mic or audio interface vastly improves sound quality over a built-in laptop mic. The better the quality of your microphone, the more detail we will be able to hear. We can highly recommend the Blue Yeti USB microphone which is excellent for online lessons.
- Wear Headphones: This prevents feedback loops and echoes, allowing for better monitoring of your sound.
- Ensure a Stable Internet Connection: A wired Ethernet connection is ideal for reducing latency and lag compared to Wi-Fi.
- Use a Desktop / Laptop: Avoid mobile devices for a better view of your instrument and improved audio.
3. During the Meeting:
- Enable Original Sound: In the meeting, look for the green button in the upper-left corner and click it to “Turn On Original Sound” if it’s not already enabled.
- Adjust Input Volume: Set your microphone or audio interface levels carefully to avoid clipping (going into the red); aim for the middle of the meter.