Specifications for Virtual Open Mic Performers
Our open mic sessions are currently being conducted virtually using Zoom. You may need to make changes to the settings in your Zoom app to turn off echo cancellation and auto gain controls. Standard Zoom settings support voice for meetings, not susatined sound, such as musical instruments and singing. BEcause you need to alloe "Original Sound" in Zoom, you will need tp wear a headset or earbuds plugged into your computer's audio output jack. Please do not use a smart phone becausse manipulating Zoom controls is more difficult on small screens.
Sign Up to Perform:
Please sign up to perform prior to the Open Mic Session by contacting Kim at kimg@wildhoginthewoods.org. Each performer will be given time for two songs. If there is time left after each has had their turn, we may ask for a third song.
Be sure to promote the Open Mic to all your friends, inviting them to attend. Link will be available at wildhoginthewoods.org
Audio Source:
A webcam's microphone is the easiest way to capture your instrument and voice, but might not the best quality as the webcam microphone is designed to pick up voice, not singing or instruments.
- For best pickup of your music, we suggest (if you have) using a USB microphone or the output from a mixer to a USB audio capture device which connects to your computer. Note: if using a mixer, there are many audio capture devices available. Examples are mixers with USB output that are available at many local stores or online at Amazon and other retailers:
Zoom Settings:
Adjust Zoom settings to use "Original Sound" to turn off echo cancellation and auto gain. Please know that you will need to wear headphones or earbuds connected to your computer. The settings for music will turn off echo cancellation which will cause audio issues if you have sound from Zoom playing on speakers that your microphone can pick up. Echo cancellation is used when you are in a Zoom meeting so that you don;t need to wear headsets, but when performing music, the echo cncellatio is off. Open the Settings window in your Zoom app:
- Click on the Audio tab.
- Uncheck the "Automatically adjust microphone volume". You can now adjust the Microphone level manaually. Test your audio setting while singing or playing your guitar so that you get peaks around 75%.
- Select "Low" in the "Supress background noise" section.
- In the "Music and Professional Audio" section, select "Show in-meeting option to enable Original Sound". This will cause a button to appear in the upper left corner of your Zoom video window. The button will indocate that "Original sound is off" which is what you use when in a Zoom meeting where only speech (talking) is happening. When performing a concert via Zoom, you will turn Orignal Sound on. (You will need to be listening to Zoom on headsets or earbuds.)
- In the next section, "Enable these options when original sound is on", check "High fidelity music", uncheck "Echo cancellation" and uncheck "Stereo audio". (Note that turning off echo cancellation improves music quality, but you will need to hear the other participants over headphones or erabuds.)
- At the bottom of the window, click the"Advanced" button.
- You may have to try each setting while testing for the "Signal processing by WIndows audio device drivers", depending on your computer and microphone source. When we test with you, we can find he best setting. We recommend starting with it turned off (or RAW mode). Zoom's Support web site says, "Controls the audio signal processing performed by Window's audio drivers. Can be disabled, which will provide Zoom with the raw audio from the audio device. This may help with microphone issues on some devices."
- Set Echo cancellation" to "Auto".
- Or watch this YouTube video by Greg in the Box.
Donations (Tips)
Probably, you are familiar with Phillup, our ceramic piggy bank that collects donations to the performer. We have setup a virtual Phillup using PayPal while we are physically closed. The donations received during Open Mic Sessions will go to the Coffeehouse.
Supporting Folk Music During the Pandemic
Technical, financial, publicity, and mindfullness support for the Wild Hog's Virtual Concert Series provided by:
- Local and regional singer/songwriters and musical artists
- Many volunteers too numerous to name
- The Madison area community members who enjoy folk music
- Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center staff, Gary and Stahcee
- Members of the Wild Hog in the Woods Coordinating Committee: Ron Dennis, Ben Doran, Kim Genich, Tom Gross, Joe Loesch, Lisa Johnson, Jamie Poindexter, Stephen Lee Rich
We thank you all!
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