Zoom Setup for Online Bass Lessons

This guide walks you through setting up your computer, audio equipment, and Zoom for live online bass lessons . Follow the steps below to get ready for your first lesson.

Download Mac Setup Guide (PDF)
Download Windows Setup Guide (PDF)

System Requirements

Mac

• Mac OS X 10.10 or higher
• Dual-core 2 GHz or higher (Intel i3/i5/i7 or AMD equivalent)
• At least 4 GB RAM

Windows

• Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 (Home, Pro, or Enterprise — S Mode is not supported), or 11 (version 5.9.0 or higher)
• Minimum: single-core 1 GHz; recommended: dual-core 2 GHz or higher
• 4 GB RAM
• Supported browsers: Edge 12+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+

Bandwidth Requirements (All Platforms)

For 1:1 video calling:

• High-quality video: 600 kbps (up/down)
• 720p HD video: 1.2 Mbps (up/down)
• 1080p HD video: 3.8 Mbps / 3.0 Mbps (up/down)

Recommended Online Gear Setup

The diagrams below show a Mac, but the connections are the same for Windows.

1. A hardline connection from your computer (a) to your high-speed internet modem (o) using an ethernet cable (b).

   

2. A USB connection from an external webcam (c) to your computer (a). The built-in camera works, but an external webcam on a stand gives the teacher a better view.

   

3. An audio connection from your mixer (d) to your computer (a) using the USB cable that comes with the mixer.

   

4. (Optional) A connection from your computer (a) to an external monitor (e) with a DVI, VGA, or HDMI connection (o).

   

5. Your voice microphone (f) with an XLR connection (k) plugged into channel 1 of the mixer (d). This should be the only live mic during lessons so you can balance your voice volume with the other audio. A regular vocal microphone on a stand is recommended.

   

6. Plug your bass (g) into the input of channel 2 on your mixer with a standard 1/4-inch instrument cable (L), or an XLR cable (k) if you are using a direct box (n).

   

7. Plug your headphones (h) into the 1/4-inch headphone jack on your mixer (d). Adjust the volume from the Phones/Monitor knob on your mixer. Use headphones to listen to all audio during the lesson.

   

8. Connect your audio playback device (i) to the line-in 3/4 L/R input channels of your mixer (d) using a stereo-to-dual-mono 1/4-inch cable (m).

   

9. Use a separate audio playback device (i) to run apps (j) like The Amazing Slow Downer and a metronome app.

   

Audio Hookup Diagrams

These diagrams show an overview of all connections between your gear and computer. Use the equipment legend below to identify each labeled item.

Equipment Legend

(a)

Computer (Mac or PC)

(b)

Ethernet cable

(c)

External webcam

(d)

USB mixer (ART USBMix4)

(e)

External monitor

(f)

Vocal microphone

(g)

Bass guitar

(h)

Headphones

(i)

Audio playback device (phone or tablet)

(j)

Music apps (slow downer, metronome)

(k)

XLR cable

(L)

1/4-inch instrument cable

(m)

Stereo-to-dual-mono cable

(n)

Direct box (Radial ProDI)

(o)

Internet modem / video cable

Mac — Mixer View

Microphone (f) connects via XLR cable (k) to mixer channel 1. Bass guitar (g) connects via instrument cable (L) — optionally through a direct box (n) and XLR cable (k) — to mixer channel 2. Audio playback device (i) connects via stereo-to-dual-mono cable (m) to mixer channels 3/4. Headphones (h) connect to the mixer's headphone jack. The mixer (d) connects via USB to the computer (a).

Mac — Computer View

USB cable connects from the rear of the mixer (d) to a USB port on the computer (a). Both MacBook side ports and iMac rear ports are shown.

Windows — Mixer View

Microphone (f) connects via XLR cable (k) to mixer channel 1. Bass guitar (g) connects via instrument cable (L) — optionally through a direct box (n) and XLR cable (k) — to mixer channel 2. Audio playback device (i) connects via stereo-to-dual-mono cable (m) to mixer channels 3/4. Headphones (h) connect to the mixer's headphone jack. The mixer (d) connects via USB to the computer (a).

Windows — Computer View

USB cable connects from the rear of the mixer (d) to a USB port on the computer (a). Both laptop side ports and desktop tower rear ports are shown.

Computer Audio Settings

Set your computer's audio output to the USB mixer so all sound routes through your headphones during the lesson.

Mac

Open System Settings > Sound > Output and select your USB mixer (e.g. "Studio 68c").

Windows

Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound and select your USB mixer as the default playback device. You can search for "Control Panel" from the Start menu.

If your Control Panel shows the Category view, select "Hardware and Sound" to find audio settings.

If your Control Panel shows the Icon view, select "Sound" directly.

Zoom Audio Settings

In Zoom, go to Settings > Audio. Set both Speaker and Microphone to your USB mixer. Under Audio Profile, select Original sound for musicians and enable Echo cancellation .

Recommended Audio Gear

1. ART USBMix4 Mixer with USB Interface — approximately $106 at Sweetwater
2. A stereo audio connection from your computer, phone, or tablet that splits into 2 mono 1/4-inch cables to go into the mixer (available on Amazon)
3. Radial ProDI 1-Channel Passive Instrument Direct Box — approximately $130

Tips for a Better Lesson Experience

1. Mount your external webcam away and up on a stand pointing at a downward angle towards you. The built-in camera works, but has a limited field of view.
2. An external monitor (optional) lets you view PDF files and other materials while also viewing the instructor. You may need an HDMI adapter.
3. Use a hardline ethernet connection from your modem to your computer for the fastest internet. Wi-Fi usually does not work as well.
4. Use a USB hub if your computer does not have enough or the right kind of connection ports.
5. Store lesson videos and curriculum on a separate hard drive to save space on your computer.

Recommended Apps

1. The Amazing Slow Downer (Windows and iOS)
2. METRONOME Connect (Mac / iOS)
3. Tempo Metronome (non-Mac devices)
4. iReal Pro