Technology

An introduction to online platforms for virtual music rehearsals, including SonoBus, JamKazam and Jamulus

What is a rehearsal platform?

These are websites or software that allow musicians to meet up in a virtual music room to play together using their internet connection. All of the platforms listed in this resource use specialist techniques to minimise 'latency' which is the delay heard on online video conference platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams etc), making it impossible to keep in time when playing music.

Many leisure-time music groups are now using Zoom for their rehearsals, performances and other activities, and are finding that some of their members are having issues with the audio – either they can’t hear, or they can’t be heard, or both!

These issues are down to a mixture of reasons. Zoom works by picking up sounds at certain frequencies, and cuts out when the frequencies go outside of these limits. As we all continue to work and socialise even more online, our internet connections and devices struggle with the demands being placed on them. 

Musical director of St Helens Ladies’ Choir, Patricia Lewis, describes her journey from having very little technological knowledge to running her choral group on Zoom during the pandemic.

Background

After early retirement from running a busy school music department and working with operatic societies, in 2011 I started a daytime weekly ladies’ choir in St Helens where I live. Many of our members do not read music and were technically inexperienced. From within the big choir we have a smaller choral group which also performs separately.

Usually in advance of the concert date you will receive a hyperlink to a webpage you'll visit to view the performance. Do check that you have this and click the link to confirm that it works ahead of the concert. You'll most likely be guided to a page indicating that you're in the correct place and to return on the date / time that the performance is scheduled for.

Take it away work with music retailers to provide interest-free finance for the purchase of musical instruments and equipment, helping to ensure that more people can access instruments and learn to play.

Jonathan Gillams, chairman of promoter group Radlett Music Club, tells us about their experience hosting an interactive Zoom concert.

It's one of the most well-known pieces of editing software, but how exactly do you use Shotcut? In this easy-to-follow video guide you'll see the main features in action as we walk through the full process of editing a virtual performance using the free software

Making Music have created a project plan to provide a bite-sized approach to building and designing your Platform. As each group is different this is by no means a rigid plan but aims to provide structure, a timeframe, as well as a clearer understanding of who is responsible for each part of the process. This plan has been designed specifically for those with the full website and not those who are using the members area only, however, some parts of the plan are applicable to both.

With socially-distanced rehearsals and performances set to continue for some time, livestreaming is an alternative option that can help you reach as many people as possible. In this webinar, we take a look at the process of livestreaming, talk through the different technology, platforms and software available, and discuss how to get the most from the experience.

The webinar covers: