Instructions for setting up and using the SP-ZOOM-KIT-EZ and SP-ZOOM-KIT-EZ-PRO

Please reference the following photos when connecting your kit. We will reference ZOOM in the instructions, however, the same instructions apply if you are using a different Teleconferencing program.

If you are running your CAT program and ZOOM on the same computer, please see below.

If you are running your CAT program on one computer and ZOOM on a second computer, continue here:

1 - Before plugging in this device for the first time (and anytime you switch to a different computer), you must install the driver program on BOTH computers. Please click here to download and run the driver installation program for this product on both computers. When it finishes, please restart your computers.

2 - Plug the USB connector labeled "C" into a USB port on the computer running your real-time capture software (referred to as “CAT computer” hereinafter). Take note which USB port you are using, because you need to always use the same port on this computer for this purpose. Plug the USB connector labeled "Z" into your computer running Zoom or other video conferencing software (referred to as “Zoom Computer” hereinafter). Take note which USB port you are using, because you need to always use the same port on this computer for this purpose. If you change ports on either computer, you will need to do the following setup steps again on the new port. If you are using a USB hub on either computer, note which ports you are using on the hub and which port you plug the hub into. Windows remembers the settings for every USB port. Hint: If you also use a USB microphone for in-person situations, you can use a different port on the CAT computer for each purpose and you won't have to adjust your settings each time you plug in the USB device. Windows will remember the settings for each USB port.

2a - Optional: If you want to make an additional backup recording, plug the 3.5mm plug on the backup cable into the microphone input on your Steno writer or digital recorder. When you are ready to record into your backup device, set the recording level per the manufacturer's instructions, being very careful to keep the recording level in the recommended range and NOT overloading. Generally, a "red" indication on a recording level indicates overload.

3 - The following applies to settings made in the Audio Commander program on the CAT computer:

a. Open the Andrea Audio Commander. You can find this program by using the Windows search tool (bottom left corner of the toolbar) or by looking in your program list under Andrea Electronics/Audio Commander. This is the Audio Commander program

b. In the PLAYBACK section, on the left side, under the word "PLAYBACK", put your pointer on the blue dot and turn the large round knob to 100%.

c. To the right of the PLAYBACK knob, you will find 2 small buttons. Click on the top button:

The "Additional Volume Controls" window will open:

Set the "Microphone Array" control to 30%. Click the speaker icon on the right to unmute this control. This is what you should now see:

Click the "Close" button.

d. In the RECORD section, on the left side, under the word "RECORDING", put your pointer on the blue dot and turn the large round knob to 50%.

e. On the right side of this section, in the "MICROPHONE ENHANCEMENTS" area, leave "Noise cancellation" checked and uncheck everything else in this section. Change the Microphone boost to "0 dB".

4 - The following applies to settings made in the Audio Commander program on the ZOOM computer:

a. Open the Andrea Audio Commander. You can find this program by using the Windows search tool (bottom left corner of the toolbar) or by looking in your program list under Andrea Electronics/Audio Commander. This is the Audio Commander program:

b. In the PLAYBACK section, on the left side, under the word "PLAYBACK", put your pointer on the blue dot and turn the large round knob to 50%.

c. To the right of this knob, you will find 2 small buttons. Click on the top button:

The "Additional Volume Controls" window will open:

Set the "Microphone Array" control to 100%. Click the speaker icon on the right to unmute this control:

Click the "Close" button.

c. In the RECORD section, on the left side, under the word "RECORDING", put your pointer on the blue dot and turn the large round knob to 100%.

d. On the right side, in the "MICROPHONE ENHANCEMENTS" section, leave "Noise cancellation" checked and uncheck everything else in this section. Change the Microphone boost to "0 dB".

Important: All levels are a starting point and may need to be adjusted as needed. View the recording level meter in your CAT software to know where to adjust the RECORDING LEVEL in the Audio Commander so that it gives you a strong recording without exceeding the maximum recording level (usually indicated by red lines in the recording level meter). Setting your recording level so that your meters goes into the "red" will result in a scratchy, distorted audio recording.

5 - In the Zoom program, make sure that you select the "Andrea" device for “Microphone”  and the "Andrea" device for “Speakers”. In your CAT program, make sure you select the "Andrea" device as your recording input device.

6 - We recommend that you open a ZOOM conference with a friend and experiment with the levels. Please adjust your levels so that you are able to hear the other ZOOM participants, they can hear you and everyone is recorded clearly. Please do this well in advance of your first important ZOOM meeting.

Please follow these steps if you are running your CAT program and ZOOM on the same computer:

1 - Please go to www.soundprodrivers.com and download the driver program on your computer. After it finishes downloading, run the program that downloaded. After it finishes installing, restart your computer.

2 - Plug the USB cable labeled with the letter “C” into a USB port on your computer. Take note of the port you are using because you will need to always use the same port for the USB cable labeled “C“. This cable corresponds to the USB device that will be used for CAT program functions.

3 - Open the Andrea Audio Commander. You can find this program by using the Windows search tool (bottom left corner of the toolbar) or looking in your program list under Andrea Electronics/Audio Commander. This is the Audio Commander program

4 - Look in the playback section for the word “Andrea“ in blue text

5 - Left-click on the word Andrea in blue. This will open the windows Sound configuration box on the playback tab. In the list of devices, look for the word "Andrea":

6- Double left click on the word "Andrea". This will open up the "Speaker Properties" window:

7- You will notice that the title of the device is already highlighted so that you can change it. Please change this highlighted area to “CAT USB SOUNDCARD”.

8 - Click OK, then click OK again to close the Windows sound box and return to the Andrea Audio Commander.

a. In the PLAYBACK section, on the left side, under the word "PLAYBACK", put your pointer on the blue dot and turn the large round knob to 100%

To the right of this knob, you will find 2 small buttons. Click on the top button

The "Additional Volume Controls" window will open

Set the "Microphone Array" control to 30%. Click the speaker icon on the right to unmute this control

Click the "Close" button.

b. In the RECORD section, on the left side, under the word "RECORDING", put your pointer on the blue dot and turn the large round knob to 50%

c. On the right side of this section, in the "MICROPHONE ENHANCEMENTS" area, leave "Noise cancellation" checked and uncheck everything else in this section. Change the Microphone boost to "0 dB"

d. Unplug the USB cable labeled with the letter "C"

9 - Plug the USB cable labeled with the letter “Z” into a different USB port on your computer from the one you used in the previous steps. Take note of the port you are using because you will need to always use the same port for the USB cable labeled “Z“. This cable corresponds to the USB device that will be used for ZOOM program functions.

10 - Open the Andrea Audio Commander and look in the playback section for the word “Andrea“ in blue text

11 - Left-click on the word Andrea in blue. This will open the windows Sound configuration box on the playback tab. In the list of devices, look for the word "Andrea"

12 - Double left click on the word "Andrea". This will open up the "Speaker Properties" window

13 - You will notice that the title of the device is already highlighted so that you can change it. Please change this highlighted area to “ZOOM USB SOUNDCARD”.

14 - Click OK, then click OK again to close the Windows sound box and return to the Andrea Audio Commander.

a. In the PLAYBACK section, on the left side, under the word "PLAYBACK", put your pointer on the blue dot and turn the large round knob to 50%.

To the right of this knob, you will find 2 small buttons. Click on the top button

The "Additional Volume Controls" window will open

Set the "Microphone Array" control to 100%. Click the speaker icon on the right to unmute this control. This is what you should now see

Click the "Close" button.

b. In the RECORD section, on the left side, under the word "RECORDING", put your pointer on the blue dot and turn the large round knob to 100%.

On the right side of this section, in the "MICROPHONE ENHANCEMENTS" area, leave "Noise cancellation" checked and uncheck everything else in this section. Change the Microphone boost to "0 dB"

15 - Plug the USB cable labeled "C" back into the USB port you designated for this cable.

16 - Optional: If you want to make an additional backup recording, plug the 3.5mm plug on the backup cable into the microphone input on your Steno writer or digital recorder. When you are ready to record into your backup device, set the recording level per the manufacturer's instructions, being very careful to keep the recording level in the recommended range and NOT overloading. Generally, a "red" indication on a recording level indicates overload.

Important: All levels are a starting point and may need to be adjusted as needed. View the recording level meter in your CAT software to know where to adjust the RECORDING LEVEL in the Audio Commander so that it gives you a strong recording without exceeding the maximum recording level (usually indicated by red lines in the recording level meter). Setting your recording level so that your meters goes into the "red" will result in a scratchy, distorted audio recording.

17 - In the Zoom program, make sure that you select the "Andrea" device for “Microphone”  and the "Andrea" device for “Speakers”. In your CAT program, make sure you select the "Andrea" device as your recording input device.

18 - We recommend that you open a ZOOM conference with a friend and experiment with the levels. Please adjust your levels so that you are able to hear the other ZOOM participants, they can hear you and everyone is recorded clearly. Please do this well in advance of your first important ZOOM meeting.

Troubleshooting

If you need assistance, please contact us here.