Hello and Welcome to the third issue of Triumph, the video-bulletin designed by the Virtual Collaboration Team of the Area of Knowledge Management and Communication (KMC) to help you master the tools and methodologies of virtual collaboration available in the Organization.

Every Tuesday, we will provide “in less than five minutes” some tips for best practices in the implementation of the PAHO Methodology for Communities or Practice and the use of Elluminate Live. 

Today, we will focus on the audio features and configuration during virtual meetings held on Elluminate Live! We hope this would be helpful.

Thank you for your time,

The Virtual Collaboration Team of KMC

Every time you enter a virtual session on Elluminate Live, you MUST verify that the audio is properly configured.   We recommend using the Audio Setup Wizard to easily set up the devices and volume levels of your interface; it will only take a very few minutes.

From the “Tools” menu, select “Audio” > “Audio Setup Wizard” and follow the indications.  

First, select the Audio Output Device from the list given in the first window.  If you are planning on using a device different than those listed in the window, plug it in and click “Refresh;” after a few seconds, the system will recognize it.  Select that device and click “OK.”   In the next window, click “Play” to hear a prerecorded message that will allow you to adjust the volume level on your speakers.  Click the “Yes” button to confirm you were able to hear the audio.

Next, select the Audio Input Device to define the microphone device you will use.  If you are using a USB device, plug it in, click “Refresh” and wait a few seconds for the system to recognize it; select it and click “OK.”  To test your microphone, click “Record” and adjust the volume level while speaking normally into the microphone; slide the volume level up until it reaches the Green light. 

The Red light indicates that your audio is too loud or your microphone is too close to your mouth.  The Yellow light indicates that you may be sending a weak signal to the other participants.  Click the “Play” button to listen to your recorded voice.  If you are comfortable, click the “Yes” button to confirm and then, click “Ok.”

While we strongly recommend running the Audio Setup Wizard EVERY TIME you participate in a virtual meeting, you could also re-adjust the audio these settings from the “Audio” options of the “Tools” menu.

Additional Audio Preferences

There are several audio options available in the “Preferences” settings that my allow you to improve your audio experience.   For instance, you could setup automatic gain control in the volume levels, boost the microphone signals or mute the speakers while you are talking. 

Audio breakups are common problems that may arise during virtual meetings due to issues that are not related to the audio setting; for instance, systems that share audio devices among different applications or just bandwidth and connectivity problems could cause those audio breakups.   If that occur to you after your have properly configured your audio, you can reduce or cancel those breakups by reducing the sample rate of the transmission signal.  

Go to the “Tools” menu and select “Preferences.”  On the “Audio” session, select “Sample Rate” and then choose the device that is showing the problems and reduce the rate to the next level. 

The Audio Window

• The Audio Window contains the audio controls and indicators of voice exchanges during an Elluminate Live session.
• In order to speak, click the “Ctrl+F2” (Talk) button, in the left-side of the Audio Window, and release it as soon as you finished speaking.
• In addition, the Audio Window allows for quick audio adjustments should you need to change your microphone and speakers volume during a session.

Other Useful Tips

• Always run the Audio Setup Wizard after login in a virtual session
• We recommend using headset for better quality in the audio.
• On Simultaneous Talkers, participants using desktop speakers and microphones should mute their speakers while they are talking and release the microphone while they are not.
  

Thank you for reading the third issue of Triumph, the Tuesday’s virtual collaboration video-bulletin dedicated to helping you master Elluminate Live.