1on1 Piano handles audio differently than other apps.
- While most video calling apps use voice isolation filters by default to accommodate noisy environments such as offices and coffee shops, we have no filter by default so that the tone of your instrument can be heard without changing any settings.
- 1on1 Piano uses a bitrate that is high enough to capture the overtones of a piano.
- 1on1 Piano enables you to control microphone gain so that participants can consistently hear dynamic changes once the microphones are in place.
- On hardware that has high quality microphones built in (most Apple devices), you will likely find that you do not need any additional audio equipment for great sound!
Below are our recommendations for the essential audio equipment you need for clear sound on Windows and Chromebook
Audio Interface (Sound Mixer)
You need this to mix your voice and your piano at correct levels. Without a mixer, your voice may be the right volume but your piano too quiet, or your piano will be right but your voice will be too loud. A mixer also allows you to control the levels rather than auto gain control (AGC), which is where the computer adjusts the levels depending on how loud it detects the ambient sound to be. The problem with AGC is that it detects crescendos as increased sound volume and responds by lowering the gain (quieting the output sound), thereby greatly reducing dynamic contrast. This is one significant reason that online music lessons leave so much to be desired, and it can be easily overcome with a mixer and an app like 1on1 Piano that allows the user to control gain.
Our favorite audio interface that can be used to mix your voice and your piano for a call is the M-Audio M-Track Duo. It has exactly the controls you need and nothing else. It is about $70, and is robust, with no need for software to make it work correctly.
Microphones
We do not recommend that you get a Yeti, or other USB microphones designed for podcasting because they have built in gain control and noise cancelling. Get two XLR microphones, one for your voice and one for the piano, and get a mixer that has a USB output. XLR mics connected to a mixer are affordable and will guarantee that your student hears both your voice and instrument clearly. Two microphones connected to a mixer allow you to mix the level for your piano and the level for your voice to the correct ratio, so that both can be clearly heard.
Mics for Your Piano
We recommend the MXL 990 and 991 sold as a set on Amazon for around $115. The 990 can be used for your voice and the 991 picks up the piano. Their price to quality ratio is unmatched. To see how they should be set up, watch this part of our video.
Mic Stands and Cables
We recommend floor standing mic stands to put the microphone in position for your voice and the piano. You can get a set of Pyle stands from Amazon for around $45. You will also need a set of 10 foot XLR Cables, which you can get on Amazon for around $16.
Headsets
If you use speakers and you want your voice to sound very good, this headset may be worth it for $80. If you get this headset, you will not need the MXL 990 and 991 set, and we instead recommend the individual MXL 606 Instrument Mic for capturing your piano, which can be gotten on Amazon for around $65.
Output
To hear the other participants in your call, you may connect any speakers to the output of your mixer, or use headphones. If you do not have any speakers, powered bookshelf speakers usually offer the best value for online lessons. They can be as inexpensive as around $49 for this set which you would connect to your mixer with this cable. Or, for high definition sound in a small package, get the Klipsch One Plus, which can be gotten for a little $200 on Amazon, and would be connected to your mixer with the same 1/4″ to 3.5mm cable.