Launching Your First Videoconference

By Kurt Gartner

hether it’s a timpani pedal FireWire are common) determine your computer’s capacity to mechanism, a metronome, or • Videoconference software (many handle videoconferences are processor Wan audio recording device, programs are free) speed and internal memory (RAM). yesterday’s cutting-edge technologies • Internet connection (faster is better) Another associated variable is the quality generally represent today’s “old news,” • Ancillary audio (sound system) and of your computer’s graphics adapter— accepted as common items of daily use. video (monitor and/or projection) the circuit board that sends graphical Currently, we are in a period of growing information to your monitor. Although acceptance of the videoconference as Computer Hardware Requirements you may not need to upgrade these a viable, practical medium for musical Computer technologies overtake components, it’s often handy to know collaboration. According to dictionary. one another at an alarming rate, so it’s “what’s under the hood.” reference.com, the term “videoconference” difficult to write an article—a snapshot To see your PC’s vital signs, click on originated between 1970 and 1975. Since in time—and declare what represents an “My Computer,” then click on “View those formative years, videoconference adequate computer system to use. If your system information” (under “System technology has become far more affordable computer’s processor, memory, and other Tasks”). There, you will see your processor and technically accessible. components are robust, your computer’s speed and amount of RAM. You can see a performance will be of higher quality. description of your graphics adapter in the Invention is the Mother of Device Manager. Necessity On a Mac, you can view your A few years ago, Allan Molnar system information by clicking on (who recently completed a term as “About this Mac” from the Apple PAS Music Technology Committee pull-down menu. By clicking on the Chair) was racing around at “More Info…” button, you can see a PASIC with a portable DVD detailed information about the rest of player, proselytizing the virtues of your hardware, including graphics. videoconferences. Currently, Allan and others respond to requests Compatible Camera and for videoconference information Microphone at an ever-increasing rate. Allan Many new computers are deserves the lion’s share of credit manufactured with built-in for increasing the awareness and camera/microphone combinations. use of this technology among PAS Personally, I prefer the flexibility of membership (and beyond). external cameras and microphones, The purpose of this article is to since I often need to aim the camera provide the information necessary Dr. Julia Gaines (University of Missouri) observes a Kansas in a direction other than that of the to launch your first videoconference. State University jury performance. computer monitor (such as in lessons Keep in mind that this is not a or concert performances). Most PCs discussion of high-end, broadcast- have USB ports, which connect with quality technology, but technology that can You may want to start by using most “webcams,” which can sit on your be implemented in the home, studio, or your existing hardware and testing its desktop or clip to the top of your laptop. classroom. performance before running to your Of course, you get what you pay for, but favorite computer store for a completely you can certainly have a decent camera at Quick Start Checklist new system. If you simply want to use minimal expense. Before reading the rest of the article, you the videoconference as a platform for Many PC cameras are sold with small may want to refer to this basic checklist of discussions with peers, one-on-one microphones, which typically plug into videoconference requirements and work lessons, and the like, you may be satisfied the 1/8-inch microphone jack on your on your own: with your existing gear. If you plan to computer. As a musician, the odds are • Computer (this article refers to both participate in “high stakes” projects such good that you already own a microphone PC and Mac platforms) as public performances, you may wish to that’s better than the one you get with an • Compatible camera and microphone, invest in newer equipment. entry-level USB camera. A good rule of which connect to your computer (USB or The primary variables that will thumb is that any microphone with a 1/8- percussive notes 56 DECEMBER 2007 inch connector should connect successfully Speaking anecdotally, the most reliable selecting a buddy and clicking on the with your computer’s standard sound connections that I have experienced were videoconference button within your card. Mac-to-Mac iChat connections. messenger software. In the case of iChat, Most Macintosh computers have Once you have your software this appears as a highlighted camera icon FireWire (IEEE 1394) ports, which offer downloaded and installed, you will next to the screen name of the person you connectivity with many digital movie be prompted to establish your account wish to contact. cameras as well as the iSight camera— and confirm the presence of peripheral which is already out of production. hardware such as your webcam. The Internet Connection The above info represents the “screen name” that you create will be the It’s important to remember that simplest options. The next step in better identifier that others will use to find you videoconferences are real-time, two-way audio quality could include the use of online. While setting up your account (or more) communication, which means professional microphones and an audio preferences, you’ll also establish a “buddy that massive amounts of data are traveling mixer, sending line level outputs to the list,” which is the online equivalent to the between your computer and those of computer’s 1/8-inch line input jack. Of speed dial function of your telephone. others with whom you connect. To some course, these steps may lead you to the use Also, most software allows you to restrict extent, the quality of your videoconference of even more peripheral hardware such your online visibility to the screen names is only as good as the bandwidth (data as a digital audio interface, but that gets of others whom you specify, such as those transfer rate) of the slowest point of beyond the scope of the basic approach of on your buddy list (or a more restricted list connection. Most consumer-grade Internet this article. of screen names, which may be changed services such as DSL (digital subscriber at your discretion). When you’re running line) and cable offer sufficient bandwidth Videoconference Software your software, your buddies who are for a decent video image. Faster means Videoconference software exists for currently online will be specified on your of connection, such as ISDN (integrated both PC and Mac platforms, and some buddy list, which is constantly updated. services digital network) offered in software actually allows PC-to-Mac If your camera is connected correctly, corporate and university environments, videoconferences. In my experience, you can initiate a videoconference by provide even greater bandwidth. success comes most easily when all participants in a videoconference are using the same software on the same platform (i.e., PC or Mac). Yahoo Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, and AOL Instant Messenger are examples of downloadable software. To get started, visit the Website of your chosen software company, download the software, and follow the prompts to set up the software and establish your account. Many messenger programs (and account access) are free, and many are offered in both Mac and PC formats. Questions to ask include: • What platform am I using, and what platform are my collaborators using? • What are the computer requirements of the software I wish to use? • Will the software allow full-screen video of my collaborator on my monitor, or other features such as multi-point conferences? iChat software was developed for use on Macs, but it is designed to connect with other users of iChat as well as users of AOL Instant Messenger (IM), whether on PC or Mac platform. iChat users may log in via their Instant Messenger (free) or .mac (subscription-based) accounts. In other words, you can (theoretically) use either iChat or IM on a Mac to connect with either PCs or other Macs. Due to many variables—often beyond the understanding of the author—connections between PCs and Macs are less reliable than PC-to-PC or Mac-to-Mac connections.

percussive notes 57 DECEMBER 2007 percussive notes 58 DECEMBER 2007 Videoconferences may be conducted messenger software. Most computers can rewards of establishing videoconferences using wireless Internet connectivity (such be easily connected to projectors or large can return rewards of great value. as a wireless router), but given the choice, monitors to allow more people to see the Eventually, you will stop asking yourself, you may prefer the relative stability of videoconference. “How can this technology really help me?” a hard-wired connection. It’s always a and you will begin asking yourself, “How good idea to test your wireless connection Other Tips did I ever get along without this?” ahead of time and have the hard-wired As percussionists, we are used to the option available. As this article is being notion of arriving at any performance far Dr. Kurt Gartner written, companies are developing better, ahead of the scheduled start time. Take this is Professor of Percussion more stable wireless platforms, including attitude into all of your videoconferences, at Kansas State University. As a 2006–2007 wireless broadband services, which are not since you may have connectivity issues Big 12 Faculty Fellow, he collaborated with tied to physical transmission points such as associated with your buddy list, the the percussion studio and jazz program the wireless routers found in many homes compatibility of software, your cameras, at the University of Missouri. There, he and offices. etc. Therefore, it’s very handy to maintain provided instruction and performances telephone contact as you establish in Afro-Cuban music and applications Ancillary Audio and Video computer contact. of technology in music. He received his In its most basic form, you may Of course, it’s very handy to conduct Doctor of Arts degree from the Univer- conduct a videoconference using a simple your first videoconference with someone sity of Northern Colorado (Greeley) and microphone plugged into your computer, who’s already familiar with the process. received the Graduate Dean’s Citation for along with your computer’s monitor and Sometimes, connectivity of the actual video Outstanding Dissertation for his research internal or desktop speakers. If you need portion of your “chat” may be blocked of the late percussion legend Tito Puente. to transmit the audio and video to more by settings of firewalls, routers, or other In association with this research, Gartner persons in a larger space, you may want to variables beyond your control. Lowering also studied percussion and arranging at incorporate a video projector and a sound firewalls on your own should be a last the Escuela Nacionál de Música in Havana, Cuba. He serves PAS as Music Technology system. You can run the line-level audio option, exercised at your peril. Often, you PN out of your computer to a mixer or directly can solve the connectivity problem by Editor for Percussive Notes. to an amplifier to get a bigger sound simply restarting the messenger software to your audience. In this situation, you (or rebooting the computer entirely). If may need to take measures to reduce the you’re in a school setting, the firewall may feedback effect that may be produced by be set at an institutional level, which means the sound of your amplifier running back that you’ll have to use your people skills through your microphone. to convince the right person(s) to help you The three most basic solutions to through the process. Like any other skill, the feedback problem are (1) adjusting you will become increasingly comfortable the proximity of the microphone and in working through your technical speaker(s); (2) reducing the volume level of checklist as you launch a videoconference. your amplifier; (3) adjusting the feedback- Climbing to the summit of any technical defeating component offered in some hill can seem to be a daunting task, but the

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