[Anonymous]

After using FarPlay successfully since early on today I’ve encountered the most perplexing of issues. I regularly play cello duets on Sunday a connection South of Boston to mid NH. Usually not problematic. Today however my instruments sound wouldn’t make it through. That is to say voice communication was clear and we were able to talk back and forth as if in the same room while my instrumental sound was blocked. Huh? We tried everything, all connections unchanged; settings, and equipment double checked. Nothing we could think of altered the problem. I could hear him play and talk while he could only hear a faint blip or snap when I’d play. Bafelling, is software able to hinder/block instrument sound generation while allowing voice transmission? Is someone going to patent this?

• This topic was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by David Liao.
• This topic was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by David Liao. Reason: (Edits: Added description of problem to topic title)

[David Liao]

Hi Arthur, Can you check whether you can record your voice and cello using an app other than FarPlay?

Are you using two microphones with an audio interface on your end? In the section labeled You (your name), please set Channels: to Mono Mix 1-2.

Does the mic/equipment you use for your instrument require phantom power? If so, please check that 48-V phantom power is turned on on your audio interface.

[David Liao]

Also, when you raise the Monitor: slider under You (Your Name) to the right, are you able to hear your cello in your own headphones?

[Anonymous]

KeyMaster,
I am not the brightest bulb. I had the Mic control set to voice isolation on this Mac mini. Putting it to standard resolved the issue. Amazing stuff! Thx for the work you do.

[David Liao]

Thank you for posting the solution! I’m sharing screenshots for others’ benefit:

To check/set Mic Mode on a Mac, click on the Control Center icon near the top-right corner of the screen and click on Mic Mode.

Use Standard for unprocessed audio.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by David Liao. Reason: Added tags: signal enhancements, mic mode

[Dan Tepfer 😬]

Hi Arthur,
I thought I’d add something important: if you’re given the option between Standard and Voice Isolation, this means you’re using the Mac’s built-in microphone. It’s worth noting that this mic, on Macs since 2016, adds a whopping 30ms of delay to your audio (we warn people about this in the app, and are also in discussions with Apple to address this). I highly recommend using an external mic instead. For example, using basic Apple EarPods ($17 on Amazon) will get rid of this added delay and will make a big difference in your connection. If the cord is too short, you can get an extension cable for a few more bucks.
Enjoy!
Dan

• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by Dan Tepfer 😬.

[Dan Tepfer 😬]

Hi again, Arthur —
I take it back! On the newest MacOS Sonoma, the option to apply Voice Isolation is also offered when using the External Microphone. Make sure to use Standard mode and not Voice Isolation mode, because not only does Voice Isolation mode filter out sounds other than voice, it also adds a very noticeable amount of latency!
My best,
Dan