Technology Guidelines

Zoom Video Conferencing is a free application available to download on your desktop computer or mobile device. For the purposes of this symposium, we recommend the web software due to its gallery view, setting manipulation, and the ability to use external microphone and speakers.

If you don’t already have a Zoom account, download Zoom Client for Meetings and login (or create a new login) in order to optimize your settings for lessons or workshops.

For Live Presentations

To ensure a smooth streaming experience over the Zoom platform, we recommend that presenters DO NOT embed their media examples (video and/or audio) into their presentation slides. 

If you are going to operate your own presentation slides, be sure to queue up all necessary files before you begin sharing your screen through the Zoom video-conferencing platform.

If you would like a member of the organizing committee to operate your slides and multimedia examples, please let us know no later than 16 October 2020. Please submit your presentation slides and your media examples as separate files with clearly marked slide cues for when to load the media examples.

For Pre-Recorded Presentations

Below are some resources and tips on how to prepare and record a presentation adapted from guidelines provided by the Society for Ethnomusicology and the American Musicological Society:

Using Zoom to Record a Presentation

Zoom allows you to record either audio or video narration and has different layout options. Watch a video tutorial (up to the 5-min mark) or read a guide on how to record a presentation using Zoom.

Basic Guidelines:

  • Create a Zoom meeting where you are the only attendee. 

  • Ensure your presentation materials are queued up and share your screen using the “Share Screen” button and be sure to select “use computer audio” and “optimize for video.”

  • When you are ready, press the “Record” button at the bottom of the Zoom window. Select “record to computer” if given the option.

  • When you are finished recording, select “stop.” Zoom will produce a .mp4 file that will be saved to your computer.

  • You can edit this video using any video editing software if you desire. For example, you may choose to edit in video examples instead of sharing over Zoom. Either is acceptable.

Using Powerpoint Narration to Record a Presentation

  • Prepare your slide presentation in Microsoft Powerpoint and record narration by going to “Slide Show” and selecting “Record Slide Show.” When you are finished recording narration, you should export your Powerpoint as a video in mp4 format.

  • Watch a video tutorial (6min) or read a guide on how to prepare your presentation using PowerPoint.

Using a Screen Capture Tool to Record a Presentation

If you don’t use PowerPoint or Zoom, or if you want to switch between different programs during your presentation (e.g. slides, browser, music), you can use a screen capture software like OBS Studio (free). Watch a video tutorial (10min) or read a guide.

Note that, on a Mac, you will need an extra app to capture your desktop audio (e.g. audio examples on your slides). If you prefer video tutorials, watch this video (10min) to learn the basics, and then this video (up to the 10min mark) to set up your desktop audio capture.

 

Additional Resources

Information for Presenters and Session Chairs (2020), Society for Ethnomusicology

Video Recording Guide for Presenters (2020), American Musicological Society