Thursday, August 20, 2015

Hi Everyone, I finished my hangout and I'm thrilled with how fun and easy it was. I have a couple questions.

Hi Everyone, I finished my hangout and I'm thrilled with how fun and easy it was. I have a couple questions.

1. Throughout the hangout I had an audible clicking sound occurring. Do you have any idea what may have caused this?

2. For the last 14 minutes of the broadcast, my microphone must have gone on mute, so although my lips are moving, you can't hear what I am saying. Do you have any idea of what may have caused this and how to prevent it from happening again?

Thank you,

Andrea

13 comments:

  1. Andrea Amador 

    Did you have any one in the Filmstrip / Guests / Panelist ?

    What type of headset, if you used on, did you use?

    The Mute button in an Hangout is pretty obvious in 2 places, at the top (Red Mic) and in the filmstrip, a White Mic.

    If you had a USB or earbud headset, some of inline mute buttons

    Do you have a link to your HOA? I might be able to tell from that IF it is recorded.

    Russ

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  2. Andrea Amador No idea about #1 except the possibility that it may have been something other than the actual headset - were you typing or doing something with your hands that the mike could have picked u the sounds?

    As for #2...Does your headset mike have an inline mute control you could have accidentally engaged. I know I do that sometimes with mine.

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  3. Andrew Hatchett about #1 - No. I wasn't typing or doing anything with my hands that could have picked up the mic interference.

    #2 - I do think that it is a distinct possibility that I could have engaged the inline mute control that is on the right side of the mic wire. If that is the case, how can I test that to be certain that is a possibility?

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  4. Andrea Amador 

    Two indications that you muted yourself with the Inline Mute button. (been there, done that)

    1) the Light on the Inline Mute button

    2) and the most obvious, is the Green dots in the lower part of the HOA screen, to the Left of the Start/Stop Broadcast button.

    Things that you need to be aware of all of the time.

    Again, Did you have anyone in the Filmstrip or on the Panel?

    What type of headset are you using? or are you using ear buds?

    Did you check your Settings in the top of the HOA screen, to make sure that DEFAULT was NOT your settings. I ALWAYS check my settings as soon as I enter an HOA. Default is NOT the right selection. You should verify your Settings.

    Russ

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  5. Andrea Amador easiest way to test is just start a practice HOA- start broadcast and then mute with inline mike control. unfortunately there is nothing that shows on screen to tell you you have used the inline mute. It becomes a matter of training yourself to give enough slack in the mike wire so you can get it out of the way without the danger of accidentally muting yourself.

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  6. Andrea Amador 

    I hear the clicking

    To a test, but move your mike down, below your chin. The clicking, from what I saw and hears was when you moved your head.

    Oh, and I think you DO have your Headset selected in the Setting.

    It may be that the cord going into the headset was hitting the mike boom.

    You were moving your arms when you went mute. Not that you hadn't moved them before, but you might have hit that inline Mute button. Watch those green dots moved.

    I recorded a whole Video and I didn't watch nor see the green dots. I had to re-record that video.


    Oh, and turn off that extra stuff, like close the Hangout messenger and.or smart phone.

    Russ

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  7. Andrea Amador 

    I agree with Andrew Hatchett about the muted inline button, I can only suggest that you watch for those green indicators that you are speaking.

    Totally agree with Andrew Hatchett about running your own test, Try our our suggestions. And, if you want us to help you, please invite is or let us know in advance that you want to practice.

    Good luck,

    Russ

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  8. I do recall you had the same clicking when in the hangouts with Michael Daniels the last two weeks (which by the way were fabulous tutorials weren't they!?).

    My kids have been taking online classes for five+ years now, and I recall they used to get a clicking sound with certain types of headsets when we first started. We haven't had that problem since using Microsoft LifeChat LX-300 and have stuck with them for over three years now - not that I'm suggesting you need to buy those, I am just mentioning what we use and have no problems with.   (I've only done test HoAs with friends and family here in New Zealand and worldwide, but enough to say that the headphones don't mind when I move or bang them.)

    Andrew Hatchett and Russ Worthington certainly have given great pointers.  My only suggestion is to perhaps try a different headset and run a test HoA for yourself to listen back to?  

    {I left a comment on your event page after watching the recording.  You did a superb job - I love the recovery with the phone call. :)  Look forward to your next HoA!!!}

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  9. This community rocks! Good luck, Andrea Amador​! Russ Worthington​: why not "Default " for Settings?

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  10. Sally Sue

    In many cases, the Default setting is NOT your headset and mic. If you are using Built in Mic / Speakers you may be OK, but if you use a headset, coming into an Hangout Video Call or HOA and you want your headset, you need to Check the Settings.

    We always have people in the filmstrip / on the panel, and we remind them to always check. We take the valuable "green room"  time to get everyone to check.

    Russ

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  11. Thanks, Russ Worthington!  You may have just helped me solve the mystery of the awful audio in my recent HOAs! I will check on Wed. to see if it recognizes my headset!

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  12. Sally Sue Ember In case you do look for another headset, I'd strongly recommend the Microsoft LifeChat LX-300. I've been using them for 4 years with no problem.

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  13. Thanks, Andrew Hatchett : that's what #crowdfunding is for, I hope! 
    I'm attempting to get some support for upgrading my HOA set-up that way, on patreon. We'll see!

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