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My adventure in distance teaching continues. I'm learning about what works and what doesn't, and I'm also learning that there is a definite market for teaching by distance. In order to teach by distance successfully, however, there are certain minimum equpment requirements. I have found that I've been able to set up my distance studio with relatively inexpensive equipment. Microphones One of the microphones I use is a very inexpensive microphone that I bought several years ago. I use it for vocal miking. Just about any type of microphone (even a cheap computer microphone from Walmart) is fine for speaking (unless you're teaching voice lessons). Skype transmits voice signals very well, and I've always been impressed with the "proximity" of voice over Skype. The second microphone - for the piano - is a Blue Ball Dynamic Microphone. I bought it because of the great reviews, and because it is very affordable. To mic the piano, I lift the lid to the fullest height, place the ball on a boom mic stand , and center the mic about equally spaced from treble to bass strings, and from the end of the piano to the pin-block. 
Mixer For simple voice phone calls over Skype, one microphone is fine. But for piano lessons, it really is necessary to mic the piano and voice separately. But then, how can you route both signals to the computer? Most computers only have one miniature mic input jack, and I'm using two standard-type microphones with XLR cables. I had been using my E-MU 1616 audio interface docking station for the mic inputs, because it has two XLR inputs; but I found that it was limited for this use, partly because the docking station connects to my laptop via a very short (and thick) EIDE cable. So I purchased a low-cost mixer to do the job, and have been very happy with the results. I bought a Behringer XENYX 802 Mixer , which has all the inputs and outputs I need for this purpose, and for less than $60, you can't beat the price. It allows me to control both the piano and voice mic signals, monitoring them directly through my headphones from the computer. The sound is very clean, and I couldn't be happier. I also have flexibility as to where to place the mixer without being limited by a short cable. 
Video I've mentioned in previous articles that I decided to use my current Sony HandyCam with software that converts it into a high-end webcam. This has worked very well - all of the high-quality features of the video camera are available as a webcam, including the ability to zoom in occasionally (when I remember to keep the remote handy). The software is WebCamDV from Orangeware . It works flawlessly, and the license fee is only $20. You can try it for free on a limited basis before purchasing. Sound Card Although the built-in sound cards on most modern computers have excellent sound, I decided to use a high-end audio card that I purchased for my laptop a while back. It is the Echo Indigo IO Stereo 24/96 Laptop Cardbus audio interface. The E-MU 1616 is also a great interface, but has no inputs other than on the microDock, so the Indigo has come in handy. It has excellent sound quality, and an external volume control that comes in really handy (in addition to the controls on the mixer).  So that is the extent of the equipment I'm currently using for my distance studio. The total investment I've made for microphones, mic stands, and mixer amounts to about $170, if you don't include the optional Echo sound card. In the next article I'll talk about some of the online features I've been using to augment the distance lessons, including the Moodle LMS and Joomla CMS. |
