Set up your camera, microphone and sound for a music class

Wear headphones and allow your browser to use your camera and microphone. Then apply the microphone settings for online music lessons below: voice processing off, and the microphone at the right distance from your instrument or voice. Test it all a day before your first KalaSudha class.

Choose your device

Use an up-to-date browser on a computer, phone or tablet. See Which browsers and devices work for KalaSudha classes?

Allow the camera and microphone in your browser

1. When kalasudha.com asks to use your camera and microphone, choose Allow.
2. Pressed Block by mistake? In Chrome or Edge, press the icon to the left of the web address and set Camera and Microphone to Allow.
3. In Firefox, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Permissions and allow Camera and Microphone.
4. In Safari on a Mac, open Settings > Websites and allow Camera and Microphone.
5. Reload the class page.

Wear headphones

Without headphones, your instructor's playing leaks from your speakers into your microphone, and they hear themselves a moment late. Headphones stop that echo. Wired ones add less delay than Bluetooth.

Set up your microphone for an instrument or voice

• Switch off voice processing. Turn off any noise reduction or voice isolation setting on your device or headset. These settings treat a held note or a tanpura drone as background noise and cut it.
• Mind the distance. Keep the microphone about an arm's length from loud instruments such as tabla or harmonium. Sit closer for voice, flute or violin.
• Use your best microphone. Plug in a USB microphone before you join. In the class room, press the gear icon in the bottom bar to open Settings and choose it under Microphone.

Add a second microphone from your phone

A phone or tablet can join as a second microphone, for example beside your tabla, while your laptop carries the camera. It sends sound only and plays nothing. Students with an account can use it; guests cannot.

1. Join the class on your main device.
2. On the second device, sign in to the same KalaSudha account on the sign-in page.
3. Open the class there and press Join from another device on the Ready to Join page.
4. Pick the microphone and press Unmute. Keep your main device in the class.

Another route starts on the main device: in Settings, press Copy link under Companion device, then open that link on the second device.

If your instructor hears the same sound twice, try muting one of the two microphones.

Set up your camera

• Frame your face, both hands and your instrument, so your instructor sees fingering and strokes.
• Face a window or lamp. A bright window behind you turns you into a silhouette.
• Rest your device on something firm.

Test before your first class

1. A day before, record a minute of playing on your device and listen back. If loud passages crackle, move the microphone further away.
2. On the day, join as soon as the room opens, 5 minutes before the start. See Join your video class.
3. Once inside, press the gear icon and check the Camera and Microphone lists. If no Speaker list shows, choose your headphones in your device's sound settings.
4. Ask your instructor whether they can see and hear you. To write instead, open the chat, type your message and press Send.

If this does not work

If sound or picture fails in class, follow Fix sound or video problems during a class. For anything else, email [email protected] or use the contact page, and name your device and browser. We reply within one working day. See Contact us.