Getting Set Up for Online Lessons

To get the most out of our time together, we need to bypass the standard “noise cancellation” features used by video conferencing software. These features are designed for speaking voices and often treat the trumpet as “background noise,” causing the sound to cut out or sound distorted.

All online lessons are conducted via Zoom. Please follow the steps below to enable “Original Sound” before our lesson begins.

🎧 Essential Hardware Tips

1. Recommended Setup: Earbuds with Built-In Mic The easiest way to get great sound is to use wired earbuds or wireless ones (like AirPods) that have a built-in microphone.

  • Why? This automatically places the microphone behind the trumpet bell. This prevents the sound from distorting while you play, but keeps the mic close enough to pick up your speaking voice clearly.

2. Alternative Setup: USB Microphone If you prefer to use a high-quality USB microphone (like a Blue Yeti or Zoom H series):

  • Placement is key: Do not point the bell directly at the microphone. Aim slightly off-axis or place the microphone a few feet away to prevent the signal from clipping (distorting).
  • Headphones are mandatory: If you use an external mic, you must wear headphones to prevent feedback loops.

How to Enable “Original Sound”

On a Desktop/Laptop:

  1. Open Zoom and go to Settings (Preferences) > Audio.
  2. Under “Audio Profile,” select Original Sound for Musicians.
  3. Check the box for High Fidelity Music Mode.
  4. Important: Once you are in the meeting, look at the top-left corner of the window. You will see a button that says “Original Sound for Musicians: Off/On.” Click it so it says ON.

On Mobile / iPad: Note: The mobile app uses slightly different wording than the desktop version.

  1. Enable the Button: Before joining the call, open the Zoom app and tap Settings > Meetings. Scroll down and toggle the switch for “Use Original Audio” to ON.
  2. Turn it On: Once you are in the lesson, tap the screen to see the controls. Tap the ... (More) menu or the Original Sound icon and select Enable Original Sound.

Connection Stability

Video is helpful, but audio is the priority.

  • If possible, connect your computer to your router via an Ethernet cable.
  • If you must use Wi-Fi, try to sit near the router and close other tabs or apps that might be using bandwidth (like Netflix or large downloads).