Lesson Pods are Ready to Make Music!

We've Been Busy!

Over the summer, we've developed a plan to create physically distant but synchronous lessons for music students at Elizabethtown College. Students will be able to take their lessons in "Lesson Pods"- rooms specifically set up to create high-quality, peer-to-peer connections between students and their applied teachers.

In each Lesson Pod are air filtration units (HEPA-certified), computers, webcameras, and microphones. We'll be using a service called ZipCall.io to connect the Lesson Pod computer to your teacher's computer directly... MUCH better than Zoom!

The set-up isn't perfect and we will need to adjust as we go, but it is a GREAT first step toward one-on-one lessons in a remote enviroment. Check out the instructions and video below. If you have questions, please let me know! See you soon!!!

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General Tips

  • Use a good pair of headphones PLUGGED IN to the Yeti Mic (port is adjacent to the USB cable on the MIC)
  • Adjust the GAIN knob on the back of the Yeti MIC so that the other person can hear you
  • Leave the PATTERN dial set to CARDIOD (see image on left)
  • Adjust the volume (coming through your headphones) so you can hear the other person...
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Instructions and advice for STUDENTS using Lesson Pods

  • Be sure to go to your assigned "Lesson Pod" for your lesson
  • Log on to the computer with your Etown credentials (username and password)
  • Launch Safari, Chrome, or Firefox browser (Safari should be in the Dock)- HINT: Press and hold the "Command" key then press the space bar. Type the name of the browser you wish to use and it will pop up as an option

For the next step, it is important that your teacher has already initiated lesson via ZipCall. If they don't appear on the call when you complete the next step, click the "Hang up" icon and try connecting again.

  • Type in: zipcall.io/join/[yourname] Example: zipcall.io/join/JohnMulaney
  • The first time you use ZipCall, you'll need to select a webcamera and the Yeti Microphone. These settings depend on the browser you choose (Chrome, Safari, Firefox).
  • Adjust the gain on the back of the Yeti Mic... Higher the gain, the louder you'll be!
  • Plug in your headphones in to the "Phones" jack on the Yeti microphone
  • Adjust the volume (coming through your headphones) using the "Volume" knob on the Yeti Mic
  • Have a GREAT lesson!!
  • When all done, log out of the computer! Easy peasy!

Instructions and advice for FACULTY using Lesson Pods

  • Log on to your computer
  • Launch Safari, Chrome, or Firefox browser
  • Go to ZipCall.io

For the next step, it is important that the teacher initiates the lesson via ZipCall FIRST. If a student logs on before you, it may not work properly. Hang up the initiated call and try again.

  • At the bottom of the page, look for a white box next to the button "Go to my call"
  • In the white box, replace the contents of that box with your students first and last name (with no spaces): e.g. PaulBunyon
  • Click "Go to my call"
  • The FIRST time you use ZipCall, you'll need to select your webcamera and your microphone- The webpage should prompt you to do this
  • Once you've completed those steps, your student should appear on screen (assuming they've logged on with the same name you entered earlier in the setup process

Some notes: You will have FAR better sound with an external microphone and headphones. Also, the latency will also be dramatically better if you connect your computer (home users, that is) directly to your router via an ethernet cable. WIFI is great BUT it stinks with peer-to-peer networking...

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