TeamSpeak installation and connection instructions

By Kent Blackburn

Here are instructions for getting started with TeamSpeak. It works well with Macs, Windows and Linux computers.

• I recommend using a Phoenix Duet Speakerphone if you have one. This will cut down on echos and feedback noise. As an alternative for reducing feedback noise, headphones will help.

• You can download the TeamSpeak software for free at http://www.teamspeak.com/?page=downloads . Here you will find different downloads specific to your operating system. Select the appropriate one and follow the installation procedures for your environment.

• Once you have the software installed, go into the “Preferences->Capture-> Capture Device:” and select your Phoenix Duet; it should be something like “Phnx MT202pcs” depending on the unit model you have. In the same preference subsection, I would suggest selecting the “Push-To-Talk” and selecting the “hotkey” that you press to speak. (The other options tend to either cut out your voice if you speak quietly or produce a feedback loop if there is ambient noise). I use the “SHIFT” key on my keyboard as the “hotkey”.

• NOTE: You should confirm each time connect with TeamSpeak that the preferences have still set to use the Phoenix Duet. This seems to wander a bit, possibly because of other software using speakers and microphones having been used in the interim.

• You will need to know the password to connect to the TeamSpeak server to join the meeting. LSC/Virgo members can find the server password at https://wiki.ligo.org/Main/TeamSpeak#Alternate_Server ; others, please send email to ligo-workshop-2015@ligo.org and ask for the TeamSpeak server password for zam.mit.edu.

• Now that this is set up, we can configure to connect to the TeamSpeak Server/Service setup at MIT. Under “Connections->Connect->Server Address” enter: zam.mit.edu , and for the “Server Password:” enter the server password. Be sure to specify a unique, recognizable name for yourself in the “Nickname:” text field. At this point, when you select the “Connect” button at the bottom you will be connected to the TeamSpeak service.

• This will place you in what is called the “Default Channel”. The meeting will be carried out in a different channel named "What comes next for LIGO?". You can change to that channel by double-clicking on it; no additional password will be needed.

Notes

Feature Set:

TeamSpeak is voice and chat messaging only. No video and no phone bridge are available. There is an “App” for smart devices, but I think it ranges from $1-$2 dollars as a one-time purchase depending on when you buy and your target platform.

Typically, additional information is shared via links in the chat box or the application (located at the bottom in the MacOS version)

There are no practical moderator tools, like mute individuals or all, so please be aware of your microphone status and mute if not being used.

Additional useful information:

Clicking on the Microphone symbol with the ‘X’ (red ‘X’) will mute your microphone, which has higher priority over the “press to talk” hotkey. This often catches people that think they are speaking because they pressed their hotkey, but in fact are muted because of the “X”’ed out microphone symbol. NOTE: I do find muting the microphone is helpful when using the “Press to Talk” feature as this allows me to type and use the “hotkey” without turning on and off my microphone as I’m composing text and possible confusing other participants as ambient noise is toggled on and off by my typing.

Occasionally, you will need to adjust your microphone gain and speaker volume. It is recommended that you do this in your operating system environment if needed. However, there are adjustments in the TeamSpeak “Preferences” that can do similar adjustments.

It has been reported on occasion that some labs blocks some ports, you may have difficulties and may need to request exceptions from your IT staff. These are the default ports used by TeamSpeak 3:

• Default voice port (UDP in): 9987
• Default filetransfer port (TCP in): 30033
• Default serverquery port (TCP in): 10011
• Default weblist port (UDP out): 2010
• Default tsdns port (TCP in): 41144

Another approach is to try the alternate server address/port: zam.mit.edu:80 , which might help with firewall issues

To turn off the vocal announcements you can either disable all audio notifications via Preferences --> Notifications --> Sound Pack: Sounds Deactivated, or if you want to just disable the "user joined/left your channel" messages you can modify Preferences --> Notifications --> Sound Pack: Client/Connection/Connected/Current channel and similarly Client/Connection/Disconnected/Current channel.