Questions » [0170] Why do I hear music in a session?
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Operating Systems:
Windows Vista
,
Windows XP
,
Windows 2000
,
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
,
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger
Client Software:
GP4
Music is played in sessions that are configured to use the Advanced Teleconferencing or VoIP features while waiting for others to join the session.
It is standard for teleconferencing calls so the host and participants know they are connected to the audio portion of the session but are waiting for the host or the guests to arrive.
The music will stop playing once the host and at least one other person is in the audio portion of the session.
Please reference the Host and Guest instructions below for more details and options.
Hosts
Note: If you are using your own teleconferencing service, or do not need the Advanced Teleconferencing feature or VoIP for you session, please see this article on how to configure the session to disable the Advanced Teleconferencing feature.
If you are a host, the music will stop playing when at least one other person joins the audio portion of the session.
If you see participants in the list and the music is still playing, they are NOT connected to the audio portion - they are only connected to the data/presentation portion of the session.
When a guest connects to the data portion (graphics) of the session, their name is in BLACK text and they do not have a microphone icon next to their name.
Once the guest(s) join the audio portion using VoIP, their name will turn BLUE and there will be a microphone icon next to their name.
Guests may also connect to the audio portion of the session by dialing in via telephone if the session is configured for telephone access. In these cases, the audio connection will appear in PINK text using the telephone caller ID information from the phone number they dialed in from.
To stop the music, the participants must either:
To see how to configure the teleconference options for your GatherPlace sessions, please check these knowledge base articles:
I can't seem to get the VoIP working.
Configuring a NEW session for Advanced Teleconferencing or VoIP.
Configuring an EXISTING session for Advanced Teleconferencing or VoIP.
If you are a host, the music will stop playing when at least one other person joins the audio portion of the session.
If you see participants in the list and the music is still playing, they are NOT connected to the audio portion - they are only connected to the data/presentation portion of the session.
When a guest connects to the data portion (graphics) of the session, their name is in BLACK text and they do not have a microphone icon next to their name.
Once the guest(s) join the audio portion using VoIP, their name will turn BLUE and there will be a microphone icon next to their name.
Guests may also connect to the audio portion of the session by dialing in via telephone if the session is configured for telephone access. In these cases, the audio connection will appear in PINK text using the telephone caller ID information from the phone number they dialed in from.
To stop the music, the participants must either:
- Use a telephone to dial the phone number the session is configured to use (they will appear listed by the telephone caller ID information and the text color will be PINK).
- Use their computer to join the audio portion of the session by clicking the Add Voice button on the Voice Options dialog (PC guests only). See this article for details .
- Use the GP4 guest version to join the session and select the Dial Now Using My Computer option when prompted (shown below in the Guest instructions).
To see how to configure the teleconference options for your GatherPlace sessions, please check these knowledge base articles:
I can't seem to get the VoIP working.
Configuring a NEW session for Advanced Teleconferencing or VoIP.
Configuring an EXISTING session for Advanced Teleconferencing or VoIP.
Can the music be turned off?
It depends on your requirements and method of connecting to the audio portion of the session.
- If you do not require the GatherPlace teleconferencing services or VoIP for the audio portion of the session, you can turn off the Advanced Teleconferencing option which will stop the music. You will need to dial into the conference by telephone to join the audio portion of the session in this case. See this article on how to configure the options for a VoIP session.
- There are several different music channels that a host can choose from by accessing their account settings on the GatherPlace web site.
One of the channels is 'Mostly Silent' which plays a tone every 20-30 seconds to let you know the connection is still live but is less intrusive than the constant music. - Optionally, you can also turn off the VoIP option on an as-needed basis when you start hosting the session. To start hosting a VoIP session with VoIp disabled for that session, simply right-click on the session in th My Sessions list and select the 'Disable VoIP' option from the menu. That will start hosting the session and with VoIP disabled. Then, just dial into the teleconference number for the audio portion of the session.
- If you are using one of the Free Basic Teleconferencing phone numbers (617-231-0350 or 213-455-0500) for the audio portion of the session, you can turn off the Advanced Teleconferencing option which will stop the music. See this article on how to configure the options for a session.
- If you require either VoIP or one of the Advanced Teleconferencing phone numbers (617-231-0350, 213-455-0500 or 800-731-8330) for the audio portion of the session, the only way to stop the music is to have the host and at least one additional person connected to the audio portion of the session. Note that all of the guests will hear the music until the host joins the meeting.
I want to call my guests directly or use another teleconferencing service for a session occasionally. How can I do it without hearing the music?
If a session is configured for Advanced Teleconferencing, you have the option not to use VoIP for a session each time you host it.
Un-checking the Dial Using VoIP option in the Host Wizard dialog (below) will start the session without using VoIP.
You will however need to use a telephone to call the Voice dial-in number to be connected to the audio portion of the session unless you are using an alternate method, such as calling them directly or using another teleconferencing service, to speak to the guests.
When using the telephone to connect to one of the Advanced Teleconference numbers, you will still hear music over the phone if you are the only person connected to the audio portion of the session, but it won't be playing through the computer.
Un-checking the Dial Using VoIP option in the Host Wizard dialog (below) will start the session without using VoIP.
You will however need to use a telephone to call the Voice dial-in number to be connected to the audio portion of the session unless you are using an alternate method, such as calling them directly or using another teleconferencing service, to speak to the guests.
When using the telephone to connect to one of the Advanced Teleconference numbers, you will still hear music over the phone if you are the only person connected to the audio portion of the session, but it won't be playing through the computer.
Is the music optional for sessions configured to use Advanced Teleconferencing or VoIP?
No. The music is not optional while waiting for the guests to join the meeting if it is configured for Advanced Teleconferencing or VoIP.
Can I select a different type of music to play while I wait?
Yes. There are several different music 'channels' that you can select from to change the genre of hold music. See this article for more information.
Can I upload my own music to play instead?
No. Due to copyright laws you cannot use your own music. Please see this article note for more information on adding new music.
Guests
If you are joining by clicking a link in an email or text message, the phone number for you to dial into will be displayed on the initial web page that opens (shown below).
You may need to minimize or move the presentation window if it covers the web page as you join the session to see the phone numbers. If there are no telephone numbers listed in the area under the Diagnostics button, then the conference is not configured to use a telephone to connect to the audio portion of the session. In those cases, you will need to download the GP4 guest version to join the session.
You may need to minimize or move the presentation window if it covers the web page as you join the session to see the phone numbers. If there are no telephone numbers listed in the area under the Diagnostics button, then the conference is not configured to use a telephone to connect to the audio portion of the session. In those cases, you will need to download the GP4 guest version to join the session.
Joining a session using the GP4 guest version
- After downloading the GP4 guest version, simply open it and enter the Access Code and your display name at the prompt (shown below) and click OK.
- Then click the 'Dial Now Using My Computer' button and you will be connected to the session.
You may optionally use your telephone to dial into the audio portion of the conference if there are numbers listed in the dialog (as shown below).
Once connected, the audio will play through your speakers or headset depending on which device you have selected in the Audio Preferences of GP4.
GatherPlace teleconferencing phone instructions and Free Basic Teleconferencing (00:01:21)
