Instructions for setting up and using the SP-BUILD-ZOOM-KIT-EZ and SP-ZOOM-SYSTEM-2-COMPUTERS

You may want to watch this setup video before proceeding:

Please reference the following photos when assembling your kit. We will reference ZOOM in the instructions, however, the same instructions apply if you are using a different Videoconferencing program. On all connections, make sure they the male plugs are fully inserted into the female jacks.

NOTE: If you are using only one computer for both ZOOM and your CAT program, when instructed in the steps below, plug both USB devices into the CAT computer and following the same steps. You can use a USB hub if needed. IMPORTANT! Take note which ports you are using for the "C" USB device and the "Z" USB device, because you will need to always use the same ports for the USB devices labeled "C" and "Z".

Reference photo for SP-BUILD-ZOOM-KIT-EZ:

Please follow these steps:

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 both computers.

Use step 2 or 2a to make your connections (if you purchased a complete kit, these may already be connected for you):

2 - If you are making a backup recording into a digital recorder or steno writer, make the following connections per the photograph above:

2a - If you are NOT making a backup recording into a digital recorder or steno writer, make the following connections per the photograph above:


Audio Level Setup

If you are running your CAT program and ZOOM on the same computer, please click here

1 - 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 what the Audio Commander program looks like *before* making any changes (Note: The words in blue may differ from what you see on your screen):

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 the 12 o'clock position so that it looks like this:

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

The "Additional Volume Controls" window will open and it looks like this:

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 the 10 o'clock position, like this:

e. (Andrea USB adapters only) 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".

2 - 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 what the Audio Commander program looks like *before* making any changes:

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 the 12 o'clock position, like this:

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

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.

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 the 5 o'clock position, like this:

e. (Andrea USB adapters only) 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 ONLY 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.

3 - 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.

4 - 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.

This completes the necessary steps to use your ZOOM kit. If you need assistance, please contact us here.