Page 40 - June 2020
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FIELD NOTES
Step 6 – Kill the Cat!!
Ken Coomes. PM1
What steps? Kill the cat? Why? Recorder for Skype works well for Mac users;
OK, you don’t have to kill the cat to improve my cat told me this, so it must be true).
the quality of your online videos. More about 4. Upgrade your microphone. The computer’s
that in step #6; let’s address the reasons for built-in microphone is a low-cost accessory,
making improvements first, then go through providing basic functionality. The headset
the first five steps. After that, we can talk about that came with your phone is typically no
the cat. better. A gaming or call-center headset
Meeting online is part of the “new normal.” changes the optics. The Blue Yeti is one
Creating a Podcast is an elective in EVERY Path excellent choice. TV Toastmasters hosts use
in Pathways, and it’s a great way to reach others the PV510+ lavalier microphone. Click here
in our digital world. But what if you have glitches to learn more about the microphone
in your audio, grainy images, and a distracting 5. Improve your webcam. Like the built-in
background? The following are six easy steps microphone, the built-in webcam is basic.
to create high-quality video interviews (drawn Dave Shrein recommends the Logitech C920,
from 4 Essentials for Creating High-Quality or the Logitech C930 Click here for the link.)
Video Interviews written by Dave Shrein in 2018, 6. Upgrade your environment. If your location
(adapted for Toastmasters from TV Toastmasters has mostly hard surfaces you’ll get echo
experiences.) You can click here to read Dave’s and reverb. Lots of extra pillows, blankets,
article. and sound-absorbing items make for an
inexpensive fix. Lighting is key, natural
1. Hook your computer directly to the router. lighting best. Inexpensive desk lamps, with
irect connection router is more reliable diffusers or lampshades can help. At least
A d
than wifi. one light behind the computer, offering “fill
2. Restart your computer and turn off lighting” for your face, is almost a necessity.
applications you aren’t using. This will Remove clutter and distracting elements from
preserve bandwidth and avoid resource your background, and make sure it doesn’t
conflicts. clash with you and your clothing or make you
3. If you like recording your calls, consider disappear (such as wearing white in front of
upgrading from Zoom to Skype. Skype offers a white wall.) And if you aren’t going to kill
more control over audio. Click here to learn the cat, at least keep him out of your video
about recording Skype calls. (Ecamm Call recording “studio,” so you won’t get distracted
40 ONE COMMUNITY
