MET CAPTURE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SOUND

EQUIPMENT SET-UP
Audio elements include:, 2) audio mixer, 3) student mic, 4) teacher mic (transmitter; the smaller of the two), 5) teacher mic receiver, 6) three connecting cables. laptop (Although you probably know what a laptop looks like, see pretty photo at right.) audio mixer

student mic teacher mic (transmitter, the smaller of the two, at right) teacher mic receiver

Most of the audio elements are likely attached already. But below is how to connect each item, if needed. CONNECTING 1) CONNECT LAPTOP TO MIXER a. Connect the coiled cable, which is attached to the audio mixer, to the laptopsmicrophoneinput. (Input is on the side of computer, directly to the left of camera USB slots.)

2) CONNECT TEACHER MIC RECEIVER TO MIXER a. Insert the three-prongedXLRcableintoaudiomixersthreepronged input port. b. Connect the other end of the cable to the output port at the top of the teacher mic receiver.

3) CONNECT STUDENT MIC TO MIXER a. Insert the auxiliarycableintotheaudiomixersAUXinput. b. Connect the other end into the line-outportontheleftside of the student mic.

AUDIO MIXER SETTINGS Make sure: 1) Left and Right knobs are turned all the way to the right. 2) The three knobs on theleftsideofmixerarepointeddownwardtomic, s,andmic.Youmayneedtoremovetapetemporarilytocheckthis.

STUDENT MIC SETTINGS Make sure: 1) Batteries are charged and inserted before capture. Batteries are inserted by unwinding and detaching the stand at bottom and sliding open the battery door.

2) Micisturnedonforcaptureandturnedoffaftercapture.(Itsaneasy mistaketoleavemiconanddrainbatteries.)Theonswitchisontheleft side of mic. 3) Volume, which is controlled on left side of mic, is set from 80 to 100.

4) Gainonrightsideofstudentmicissettom(medium).

5) On the front display of mic (you may need to temporarily remove tape), click single right arrow until SURROUND isat4CH.In other words, the red dot is lit above 4 CH on the front mic display. This is recommendation, and not something that will render the capture rejectable. 6) Monitorissettoon.Ifthestudentmicisnotrecordingproperly,youneedto check the monitor setting. To do so: a. Take off tape temporarily on front of screen (if applicable) to use controls. b. ClickMenu. c. Click double right arrows (to right of red button) untilyouseeMonitor. (Click right arrows five times to get to Monitor.) d. Click red button in middle to select. e. Click right arrow untilonisselected. f. ClickMenuagaintoexit. g. Put tape back on.

TEACHER MIC SETTINGS Make sure: 1) Batteries are charged and inserted before capture. Batteries are placed in the right side of mic and receiver by detaching door in a squeeze-and-pull out-motion.

2) Micandreceiverareturnedonforcaptureandturnedoffaftercapture.(On switch is on right side of both devices.) 3) Teachermicissettomic,NOTlineattheverytopofmic. 4) Frequency on mic and receiver match. (See details below.)

FREQUENCY RANGES First, please check the back of each device to make sure they are both on the same frequency range. The model we use has two ranges: One set has frequency range: 566.125 - 589.875 MHz(30-33) The other: 638.125 - 661.875 MHz (42-45) ReplacePartIfRangesDontMatch If ranges don't match on the back of receiver and mic, they will not read each other. You will need to replace either the mic or the receiver so that the two match frequency ranges. The most common one we use is the 566.125 - 589.875 MHz (30-33).

HOW TO CHECK FREQUENCY SETTINGS If frequency ranges match on back, go ahead and make sure the exact frequencies on the teacher mic and receiver match. To Check Frequency On Teacher Mic 1) Turn on teacher mic. 2) ClickontheSetbuttonontheteachermicuntilyouseethenumber in the XXX.XXX format. The frequency is usually at the default setting of 566.125 or 638.125. 3) Note number.

To Check Frequency On Receiver 1) Turn on receiver. 2) ClicktheSetbuttonuntilyouseethenumberinthe XXX.XXX format (should be close to number 566.125 or 638.125). 3) Confirm that it exactly matches the number on the teacher mic. HOW TO MATCH FREQUENCY SETTINGS If numbers are not the same, manually match the number on the receiver to the one on the teacher mic. (The receiver is easier to manually change.)

How To Adjust Frequency on Receiver 1) Note frequency number on teacher mic. 2) Match that number on the receiver by: a) Holding down the Setbuttonuntilthenumbersflashonandoff. (Hold down for a few seconds as opposed to quick click when you just checked settings.)

b) Numbers should be flashing. c) ThenclicktheSetbuttonagainuntilyouseenumberintheXXX.XXX format (should be close to number 566.125 or 638.125). d) Change frequency to higher or lower number by pressing the - or + buttons totherightoftheSetbutton. e) HitSetonelasttimetoexitandcomplete. Teacher mic and receiver should now match. But in case you need to adjust frequency on teacher mic as well as receiver, follow these steps: How To Adjust Frequency on Teacher Mic 1) HolddownSetbutton.AsyouareholdingSetdown, turn on device. (This is different than with the receiver where you just holddowntheSet button.) 2) You should see numbers flashing. 3) TapSetagainuntil you see the frequency (XXX.XXX format). Tap the - or + buttons until the frequency number exactly matches that of the receiver. 4) HitSetonelast time to exit and complete. Ifyourestillunabletogetthefrequenciestomatch,thencheckthebackagaintomake sure the frequency ranges are the same. (See beginning of this section for details.)

TWO RIGS IN SAME SCHOOL NEED TO BE SET AT DIFFERENT FREQUENCIES When a school has two rigs, it would be beneficial for each rig's teacher mic/receiver to reflect two different ranges, so that there's no danger of interference. In other words, it wouldbegoodifonerigsmic/receiverwere566.125, the other 638.125. But even if the two rigs have mics with the same frequency range, you can and should reset the frequency on each so that they do not catch interference. Use the instructions above to reset, so that the frequency for mic/receiver each rig is set to a different number. Now that the equipment is set up properly, there are settings that need to be checked on the laptop.

COMPUTER SETTINGS
ALL RECORDING DEVICES ON LAPTOPS MUST BE DISABLED EXCEPT MICROPHONE/LINE IN If other recording devices in the laptop are enabled, they can take the place of the audio signal coming from the student and teacher microphones, putting the capture at risk of rejection. To ensure that sound from the teacher and student microphones is recording properly, all recording devices on your laptop must be disabled EXCEPTMicrophone/LineIn. Hereshow: RIGHT-CLICK SPEAKER ICON Right-click on the speaker icon at the bottom right of the computer screen (by the date and time).

Whenthewindowatrightpopsup,selectRecording devices.

MAKE SURE MICROPHONE/LINE IN IS THE ONLY ACTIVE DEVICE The recording device box will appear. The only active device (indicated by a white check mark in a green circle) should be Microphone/LineIn.*** If any other Windows recording device is active, please disable it by right-clicking on the device and selecting disable..ThenclickOK. Some of the more common names for other recording devices you want disabled: Dock Mic Microphone Array Internal Mic Desktop Microphone HP Laptop Users ***If you have a gray HP laptop, as opposed to the black Dell, you will see two separate labelsintherecordingboxforMicrophoneandLine In.Microphone is the only one that should be active.LineInmustbedisabled.Teach for America and those who have received a replacement laptop are likely to have the gray HP model. EVERY TIME CAMERAS ARE REATTACHED TO LAPTOP, REPEAT STEPS ABOVE! If you detach and then reattach the MET cameras to the laptop, there is a good chance it will enable other recording devices. So every time you plug the cameras into the laptop, repeatthestepsaboveandmakesuretheonlyactivedeviceisMicrophone/LineIn (or Microphone in the case of the HP Laptop.)

NOTE ABOUT STUDENT AND TEACHER MIC SOUND INDICATORS The indicators at the top right-hand corner of the capture screen in the MET software represent the teacher and student audio.

SPCs often make the observation that the student audio is represented by a longer green bar than the teacher mic, and therefore appears stronger. This is not a problem because:

1) The student microphone is more sensitive. It is designed to capture sounds from all over the classroom. The teacher microphone is designed only to pick up the sound coming from the teacher afewinchesaway,soitdoesntneedtobeas sensitive.
2) The green bars are not exact level indicators. It is best to gauge levels yourself

by selecting Listen in Microphone/LineInand listening through headphones.

HOW TO CHECK SOUND BY LISTENING WITH HEADPHONES The best way to check if sound is working and levels are sufficient is by listening yourself through the laptop. To Listen: 1) Right-click on speaker icon (as above). 2) ClickRecording devices. 3) Double-clickintoMicrophoneLineIn (orMicrophone onHP Laptop). 4) SelectListentab 5) CheckboxtoListen. 6) Make sure headphones are plugged into headphone jack on laptop. 7) Test student and teacher mic sound by speaking into them. 8) Adjust levels if needed, including microphone line in input level on computer and volume on student mic.

ALWAYS HAVE AUDIO DEVICES CONNECTED AND TURNED ON BEFORE ENTERING MET CAPTURE SOFTWARE
Turn microphones on before doube-clicking into the MET Capture software.

Please contact the MET Help Line with any questions or to walk you through any of the above steps. 1-877-562-3093 support@teachscape.com. Thank you!