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Improving my Clubhouse audio, gear needed to sound great!
Clubhouse Audio
We investigate the most important aspects to know about producing an improved Clubhouse audio
Audio for Clubhouse, the relatively new audio social network. We will look at how to arrange a more professional audio sound using two different setups.
To start with, many professionals creating podcasts and YouTube vlogs may have the majority of the equipment before needing to go out and purchase audio setups to be in Clubhouse. Clubhouse doesn't require it at all, if you haven't got any of the audio setup so take your time and make sure that you really need this extra equipment to run your rooms on Clubhouse.
Nevertheless, it works very well, and it makes Clubhouse easier to have a lot of fun.
Note:
We will focus on the Apple device setup. Apple devices tend to be more complex than the Android alternative for Clubhouse, especially when it comes to continually powering the device in long-running rooms. The lightning port for connecting both the power adaptor and microphone can be tricky to say the least, due to the TRRS and lightning requirements.
We have named a few devices which can be a good reference for searching out the correct configurations.
Clubhouse Home Office or Studio setup
Clubhouse Home Office or Studio setup list for Clubhouse
When a more permanent desk option is available in the home or at a studio, a setup can look something like this:
Microphone adapter
Saramonic microphone adapter 3.5 mm socket TRRS to plug Lightning adapter cable (6cm)
With this adapter, the digital signal is turned into analog ready for the iPhone. Important: Your adapter should have a TRRS design on the jack side (three black rings are visible) so that both the incoming audio signal and the microphone signal will be transmitted to the iPhone. Be warned, not all three ring audio jacks are the same and Apple has rewired the jack to the less common TRRS version. Apple also has a chip inside the lightning cable to confirm that it is compatible with Apple devices.
Audio and charging adapter
The Apple MFi-certified Belkin Rockstar 3.5 mm audio and charging adapter. You can connect an existing iPhone charger to it.
These adapters come with a price point to match the quality of the device with a wide connecting cable and the correct chip for use with Apple devices being MFI-certified.
TRRS aux cable
3.5mm TRRS aux cable, CableCreation 90 degrees right-angled male to male audio cable 4 pin
A 1.8 meter long audio cable with TRRS mini jack plugs on both sides, depending on the equipment this cable will be connecting with for the interface.
When using the iPhone, one end goes into the Lightning adapter, the other end into the smartphone input of the other device.
A microphone boom
A microphone boom is a fancy name for a microphone stand, these can come in freestanding and table attached versions. The freestanding can be desktop or floor stand versions and will depend on the space and setup of the user.
Note: that vibration can cause all sorts of sound issues when it comes to boom arms and stands. The tubes in the arm amplify the sounds of keyboard clicks or pen to paper movements.
Consider disconnecting the boom arm from the work desk or table to isolate the possibility for vibrations. Better quality audio is achieved when using tried and tested setups, experiment with a few options to see which one works best for you and your audio setup for Clubhouse.
Mixer and audio interface
We have featured a RODE Caster Pro mixer and audio interface, however this isn't the only option for interfaces and cheaper options with less options include Behringer Xenyx 302 USB with XLR input and the option to connect to a PC or Mac.
Dynamic cardioid microphone
Microphones for Clubhouse can often be a personnel choice depending on budget, use case, and real world environment. If your just starting out then the Behringer Mics are worth researching, they don't look special with a stand mic form, however we don't need anything sparkly for an audio only Clubhouse room, just great audio please. Other options with a good reputation can be found in the RODE or Yeti brands.
The range of mics is huge with hundreds of options to choose from, YouTube is full of video reviews on Mics, and in many cases is a personnel choice.
In one room someone was trying out a new mic. The audience not knowing which was which believed the new mic was the standard mic on the phone. It happens!
Traveling
Clubhouse home away from home setup
When a less permanent option is required, for example when away from home or studio, a setup can look something like a lot less complicated:
- 3.5 mm audio and charging adapter
- Over-ear gaming headset with microphone
3.5 mm audio and charging adapter
Belkin offers an adapter that also has a dual Lightning socket option, and again the Apple MFi-certified Belkin Rockstar 3.5 mm audio and charging adapter is a good choice. We know it works and is available from the Apple website or Genius bar.
Over-ear gaming headset with microphone
It's true that using a headset may make you look like a space cadet. However a set of cans provides great quality vocals on the move, and the ability to reduce sounds that may not be expected when on the traveling for a clearer listening experience.
Headsets can also be used in the home or office for more personnel rooms.
Note:
Headsets can also be good for Clubhouse with the introduction of the spatial audio.
More articles by InClub.house
Clubhouse adds spatial audio for more immersive audience experiences
Clubhouse is in the early stages of supporting spatial audio to make its audio chat rooms that much more immersive and giving us another reason to improve the sound quality of our personnel broadcasts into rooms.
Clubhouse Spatial audio is an audio technology that uses sound to create 3D sound effects, which can be used by compatible devices that have headsets or earphone attached.
Spatial audio is a relatively new concept for both Clubhouse and the industry with Apple and other companies looking to benefit from the buzz created in the audio world for the last few years.
One of the most popular terms used to describe Spatial audio is "immersive audio", which simply means the audio reproduction is meant to be heard in 3-D having both distance and dimensions. The intended effect is to make music sound better, or even improve the way we listen in a more naturally sounding sounds.
Spatial audio is an audio technology that uses sound to create 3D sound effects, which can be used in headsets or smartphones to create an immersive audio experience. The technology is also called binaural recording, because it creates the illusion that sounds are coming from right behind your ear.
Spatial Audio has a number of aspects which Clubhouse users can benefit from, these include:
- Assigns a specific spatial position to each speaker.
- Spatial cues will be picked up by the user's brain.
- The audio will make conversions less cognitively demanding.
- Spatial audio works with wired & Bluetooth headphones.
- Combination of inputs sources will feel like they are coming from all directions.
Having the right audio equipment for a spatial Clubhouse experience is key
Having the correct equipment is an important part of spatial sound experience, and it can make or break the overall enjoyment with surround sound.
The best way to get this right is to use a quality headset for stage sessions that have good quality drivers in them and a quality microphone or a separate headphone and microphone setup.
If you're using speakers instead for just audience experiences, then try to find ones that are designed for home theatre systems and ensure they don't distort at high volumes.
And finally, if possible, avoid any kind of active noise cancellation technology as these can cause additional issues depending on the brand or technology.