REQUIREMENTS
FarPlay works right out of the box, with no additional setup required — you can use it with your computer’s built-in mic, and even over Wi-Fi. For the ultra-low latency needed for making rhythmically sync’d music online, we strongly recommend using an Ethernet connection. For users looking to get low-latency audio on Windows, an external audio interface is especially important. Examples of equipment are laid out below.
Questions about your setup? Email us at support@farplay.io.
| Description | Quickstart setup with headset plugged into computer’s built-in 3.5-mm audio jack | Recommended setup with USB audio interface |
|---|---|---|
| What can I do this with this? | Mac and Linux users will enjoy jamming online. Windows users have a high chance of finding latency unsatisfactory for highly rhythmic jamming online (but conversations will still feel natural). | Mac, Windows, and Linux users will enjoy jamming online. This kind of setup is great for providing music instruction that sounds professional. |
| Diagram |  |
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| Instructions | Quickstart | Setup with audio interface |
Operating system
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FarPlay requires a computer running macOS 10.13 High Sierra or higher, Windows 10 or higher (it may work on earlier versions of Windows but is untested), or Linux. We don’t yet support tablets or phones. | |
| Internet connection | Fiber internet is preferred. If you have no choice but to use cable, a business cable plan can perform better than a residential cable plan. FarPlay has been successfully tested with upload speeds as low as 8 Mbit/s. A connection with a ping consistently below 10 ms is recommended. Test your upload speed here. | |
Ethernet cable
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Please use a CAT5e or higher Ethernet cable to connect your computer directly to your router. Other lengths are available at the above link. Please see our video tutorial on setting up Ethernet. Yes, it is possible to get low-latency working over certain types of Wi-Fi, but if you don’t already have a Wi-Fi 6/6E home network properly set up, using Ethernet might be easier. | |
USB-Ethernet adapter
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If your computer doesn’t have an available Ethernet port, you’ll need a USB-to-Ethernet adapter. Check that the type of USB connector the adapter uses to connect to your computer fits the USB port you’d like to use on your computer. If you don’t have a lot of free USB ports, consider buying a hub with an Ethernet port and additional USB ports: | |
USB audio interface
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N/A (we’ll use the sound card built into your computer) | Voice teachers can consider using an audio interface that accepts 1 mic and 1 instrument input. Entry-level examples:
For professional piano broadcasts, consider an audio interface that provides two mic pre-amps (good for stereo). Entry-level examples:
For Windows users: Be sure to use a USB audio interface with reliable manufacturer-provided ASIO drivers. You need to use a low ASIO buffer size (16 samples (0.3 ms), 32 samples (0.7 ms), and 64 samples (1.3 ms) are reasonable values). You can usually set your ASIO buffer size by clicking on an icon provided by your USB audio interface’s software in the Windows system tray. Using a USB audio device without manufacturer-provided ASIO drivers typically doesn’t provide low-latency audio in Windows. |
Wired microphone
On Macs from 2016 and after, avoid using the built-in mic, which adds around 30 ms of latency. |
Use an integrated headset that includes both a microphone and headphones. These EarPods used to be distributed with iPhones, so you might already have an old pair lying around. One problem is that EarPods plug into your ears, making it hard to hear room sound. It can be annoying to sing when you can’t hear your own voice in the room. Singers should consider the alternative below. The plastic backing and foam on the Power Gear/GE headset are thin, so the headphones don’t noticeably block room sound. Wearing them feels like wearing open-back headphones—enjoyable to sing in! | If you want to be heard as you move around your studio, but you still want the mic to focus on you, rather than the air conditioner behind your computer, for example, you can try a side-address condenser microphone. Bargain-basement example: To explore a wide array of microphone options, see the demonstration videos at Podcastage. |
| Wired headphones
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To easily hear an acoustic instrument in your studio, use open-back headphones. Entry-level examples: | |
Headphones are required for preventing feedback. Bluetooth headphones add a lot of latency, so use headphones that plug into your computer.