JackTrip Connection Guide

  1. Set Up Audio - Either in advance of the scheduled connection time, or if using a courtesy server, in advance of its scheduled hours.

    1. Computer/Audio Interface
      1. Attach an ethernet cable directly to and disable WiFi on the computer; ensure a working internet connection.
      2. Connect mics and headphones to audio interface, connect interface to computer and power up (if not already), ensure local monitoring is OFF - you should not hear your mic signal in the headphones.
      3. Start qjackctl, open the setup window, and ensure your sample and frame rates conform to the server du jour (e.g., 48kHz, 128 frames); save as needed.
      4. Press "Start" in qujackctl to start Jack running.
      5. Open the qjackctl "Connect/Graph" window and confirm your audio interface's inputs ("captures") and outputs ("playbacks") are visible on the left and right respectively.
    2. JackTrip Box
      1. Connect mic and headphones to JackTrip box.
      2. Power up JackTrip box, wait for steady red lights.
      3. On any web browser, navigate and login to app.jacktrip.org - locate and select your device from the left sidebar.

  2. Connect to Courtesy Server - The host might schedule a "courtesy server" that runs at the same settings some time in advance of the actual music session, intended to help participants work out any issues with their setups/connections before the session takes place. It is a good idea to take advanatage of a courtesy server if:

    1. You are new to JackTrip
    2. You haven't connected at these precise settings before
    3. You've changed anything - even something small - in your setup
    4. You're down with OCD, yeah you know me

  3. Connect to Zoom Backchannel - Please do participate if you can in a Zoom backchannel since this helps better connect us visually through gesture and expression, plus makes some logistics easier (like calling solo breaks).

    1. Separate Devices Running Zoom and JackTrip
      1. Strongly recommended - Zoom is available on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux, so please consider using a separate device to Zoom.
      2. Start Zoom on a separate device from the one running JackTrip, test Zoom audio and video.
      3. Connect to the Zoom backchannel meeting using login information provided by the host.
      4. Locate and be prepared to use the mute microphone and "Leave Computer Audio" options.
      5. Confirm both your Zoom audio and video are enabled and sending.
      6. Open (and keep open) the Chat window; send a greeting to confirm you've arrived in the meeting.
      7. Be prepared to "Leave Computer Audio" once you have confirmed that you've connected separately via JackTrip.
    2. One Computer Running Zoom and JackTrip
      1. Check and ensure your computer's system audio is set to the built-in mic and speakers (or anything other than your audio interface).
      2. Start Zoom; ensure Zoom audio is set either to system default or to the built-in mic and speakers.
      3. Connect to the Zoom backchannel meeting using login information provided by the host.
      4. Locate and be prepared to use the mute microphone and "Leave Computer Audio" options.
      5. Confirm both your Zoom audio and video are enabled and sending.
      6. Open (and keep open) the Chat window; send a greeting to confirm you've arrived in the meeting.
      7. Be prepared to "Leave Computer Audio" once you have confirmed that you've connected separately via JackTrip.

  4. Connect to JackTrip - Connect to JackTrip during the scheduled connection time before the sound check.

    1. Computer/Audio Interface
      1. Open the terminal program to access the command line.
      2. Run jacktrip from the command line with the IP address and settings provided by the host.
        1. The host will typically provide the precise command to start JackTrip to avoid uncertainty.
        2. The command takes the form, "jacktrip -C [IP address] [options]"
      3. Confirm you've connected via the terminal window messages.
      4. Open the qjackctl "Connect/Graph" window, and patch your inputs (captures) to JackTrip sends and your outputs (playbacks) to JackTrip receives as desired.
      5. Confirm your audio is connected:
        1. Test the mic; you should hear the signal in your headphones if you're connected and patched properly.
        2. Your loopback signal will provide you with a sense of your particular latency and thus how others will hear you. (Note: The server can be configured to run without sending each client's audio back in a loop, in which case this diagnostic will not be available and you won't hear your own signal.)
      6. In the Zoom backchannel, send a chat message that you are disconnecting audio and "Leave Computer Audio". (You can reverse this if needed with "Join Computer Audio".)
      7. Greet any others already connected; troubleshoot audio with host and by consensus as needed.
    2. JackTrip Box
      1. In the JackTrip cloud app (app.jacktrip.org), on your device's page, select the appropriate server from the dropdown menu; click the green "Connect" button.
      2. The headset icon in the device page's upper left turns from blue to green when you have connected.
      3. Confirm your audio is connected:
        1. Test the mic; you should hear the signal in your headphones if you're connected and patched properly.
        2. Your loopback signal will provide you with a sense of your particular latency and thus how others will hear you. (Note: The server can be configured to run without sending each client's audio back in a loop, in which case this diagnostic will not be available and you won't hear your own signal.)
      4. In the Zoom backchannel, send a chat message that you are disconnecting audio and "Leave Computer Audio". (You can reverse this if needed with "Join Computer Audio".)
      5. Greet any others already connected; troubleshoot audio with host and by consensus as needed.

  5. Sound Check - Please be set up and connected if possible by the scheduled "sound check" time.

    1. The host calls on participants one by one to play and sing as they would with the group.
    2. All participants share feedback on the volume level and quality of each participant's audio (if there are a lot of participants, the host will call on them in order to gather feedback).
    3. Participants adjust audio as is possible to maximize quality and achieve a good volume level individually and in comparison to others.

  6. Best Practices

    1. JackTrip boxes should be subscribed to the relevant server ahead of time. Subscribing is simple; consult the host and confirm you're subscribed before any session.
    2. Audio you send to JackTrip should preferably be a moderate signal level to start with and then can be turned up if you and others agree it should be.
    3. Keep your eye on the Zoom chat, especially during troubleshooting; use the Zoom chat if you're having JackTrip audio trouble.
    4. Report to the host/group the quality of the signal you're receiving, including any specific information about the quality of each discrete client signal.
    5. Be patient with potentially less-than-ideal audio conditions as you and others continue to tweak the settings and configurations during and between sessions to maximize quality and minimize latency.
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