The products discussed velow are just examples to get you started.  Be sure to do your own comparison shopping!

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Computer and Internet Connection

 

You need a PC, Mac, or Linux computer with a high-speed internet connection.  Ideally, the computer should connect directly to the router with a Cat 6 Ethernet cable.  For example:  AOFORZ - Ethernet Cable Cat6 Plus 50ft - $14.

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Audio Interface Choices

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Your setup can use the internal audio interface (built-in sound card) in your computer (low quality) –or–  an external audio interface box (much better quality).  

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Internal Interface (Sound Card)

 

With the internal sound card solution, you plug microphones and instruments into the sound card or a USB port, and plug headphones into the sound card. With an external audio interface, you plug the interface box into a computer USB port, and plug microphones, instruments, and headphones into the box.

 

Using a sound card, you can get started with a very small equipment investment.  If you become a serious Jamulus user you will probably want to upgrade to improve sound quality and latency.

 

Instrument Input

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If you play a guitar or other instrument that you would normally plug into an amp, there are a number of ways to connect them to the sound card.

 

Adaptor Plug.  Possibly fair quality to get started but you will eventually want to upgrade.  For Example:  Hosa YMP-233 Y Cable - 3.5mm TRS Male to Dual 1/4" TRS Female - $6.

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USB In – possibly better quality but not recommended due to latency problems.  For example:  Guitar/Bass to USB Link Connection Cable Adapter - $17

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External Audio Interface.  The best way.  Discussed below.

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External Microphone

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If you are a singer, horn player, or want to be able to converse during a jam, you need a good quality microphone.  You will not be happy with the results from the one built into your computer. 

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If you already have a good dynamic microphone, like a Shure SM58 (vocals) or Shure SM57 (instruments), you will need an adaptor to plug into your computer.  This will definitely improve the quality, but possibly better, but may cause latency problems.  For example:

TISINO USB Microphone Cable, XLR Female to USB Mic Link Converter Cable - 6.6 feet - $16

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If you already have a good condenser microphone, you will also need an adaptor to plug into your sound card.  This adapter will need to include a pre-amp, and will need to supply phantom power from the computer to the mic.   For example:  Blue Microphones Icicle XLR to USB Microphone Converter/Preamp - $44.  Note that for this price , you could almost get a low-end an external audio interface, described below. 

 

You can get a condenser mic and interface in one package.  These have a preamp, phantom power, and (often) an additional input for instruments.  Very handy for someone singing and playing an instrument. For example:   Samson G-Track USB Condenser Microphone with Audio Interface - $80.   

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External  Audio Interface

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With an external audio interface, you plug the interface box into a computer USB port, and plug microphones, instruments, and headphones into the box.  These typically support any kind of microphone (dynamic, condenser, ribbon) and most kinds of instrument inputs.  Some even support MIDI input and output.

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In the recording world, there is a wide range of price/performance options for audio interface products.  In the Jamulus world, a smaller set of options are relevant, and more expensive options are overkill.

 

Below are three products presented as examples (not necessarily recommendations), that illustrate the three tiers  of products available.  With any of these interfaces, you can connect dynamic, condenser, or ribbon microphones, using XML or 1/4”  plugs, and at least one instrument using a 1/4” plug.  The Presonus also supports MIDI. 

 

Acceptable Quality/Latency - Behringer M2 USB Audio Interface - $50.  If you are on a budget this is about the lowest you can go.  While it gets few good reviews in terms of quality, several Jamulus users have reported that it works OK.  Works better with Mac than PC.

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• Mic/Line In input (XML or 1/4”)

• 1/4” Instrument input

• Single 2-channel preamp

• 1/4” Headphone output

• Stereo RCA line out outputs

• Phantom power

• Sample rate is 48K (Good enough for Jamulus

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Better Quality/Latency – Presonus USB 96 - $100.  

 

• Mic/Instrument/Line In inputs (XML or 1/4”)

• 1/4” MIDI input and output (good choice for keyboard player)

• Separate pre-amps for each channel

• 1/4” Headphone output

• Phantom power 

• Sample rate is 96K (Acceptable for recording)

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Even Better Quality/Latency – Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface - $125.  

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• Mic/Line In input (XML or 1/4”),

• 1/4” Instrument input

• 1/4” Headphone output

• Separate pre-amps for each channel

• Phantom power

• Its sample rate is 192K (Better choice for recording)

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Need Multiple Headphones?

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If two or more musicians are using a single audio interface, each one will need headphones.  But these interfaces typically have only one headphone output.  In such a case, you will need a headphone amplifier to sit between the interface and the multiple headphones.  Here are several examples, at different price/quality levels.

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Adaptor Cable.  Splits single output into two.  No individual volume control for the two sets of headphones.

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One 1/4" Plug to two 1/4" Jacks

One 1/4" Plug to two 3.5 mm Jacks

One 3.5 mm Plug to two 3.5 mm Jacks

One 3.5 mm Plug to two 1/4" Jacks

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Headphone Amplifiers.  Separate volume control for each of 4 sets of headphones

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Not Completely Noiseless.  Behringer MicroAMP HA400 4-Ch Headphone Amplifier - $24.

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Best Value.  Mackie HM-4 Desktop Headphone Amplifier - $40.

 

 

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Best Performance. PreSonus HP4 4-Ch Headphone Amplifier - $140.

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ovid-19 Reality Check 

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Lots of people have the same idea.  Sweetwater recently had their biggest sales week ever. You may find it difficult to find these kinds of products in stock.  But don’t give up!  Ask around – one of your friends may have one they are not using.  Good deals can be found on www.eBay.com and www.Reverb.com, especially on earlier generations of the models described above.  And whore Amazon may have better access to inventory.