Conference Call Resources
Managing Sound Quality on Conference Calls
If you are looking for information on recording calls click here:
Tips and Methods for Recording Conference Calls
Phone Equipment Use for Best Sound Quality
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Use a land telephone line (corded, wired to the wall phone) to call in to the conference bridge.
Be sure to TEST the working condition of your equipment before an important meeting.
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If you are using a head set, make sure you have fresh batteries and that you speak
into the mouthpiece when you share, so that everyone can hear you. Avoid breathing
directly into the mouthpiece or speaking too loudly into the mouthpiece of your phone as it is disruptive.
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For best sound quality, it is important to avoid
computer-or internet based dial-up methods (such telephony can wreak havoc on bridge lines), speaker phones, cell phones or cordless phones.
All of these methods are "use at your own risk." They can cause LOTS of noise to a conference call and
annoy everyone.
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Managing Interruptions During the Conference Call
Do your best to minimize background noise and interruptions by having callers do the
following:
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Before the Call
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Turn off the ringer on any other phone line in the vicinity.
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Disconnect call waiting for the conference call, if they have it.
With most phone systems, this can be done by dialing (*70).
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During the Call
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Use their phone's mute button and/or if your calls are on the mutable
bridge lines (conference bridges with muting features and passcodes - area codes are (308) (319) (641) & (712)),
use the (*6) mute feature, a toggle switch, by hitting (*6) to mute and (*6) to un-mute.
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Be sure to mute their phone if they will be taking notes via a computer keyboard that can be heard by others.
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Avoid breathing directly into the mouthpiece or speaking too loudly into the mouthpiece of the phone as it is disruptive.
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They should not put the call on hold if they have music on hold as the entire
call will hear their music. If they get interrupted, they do not need to share this with the call, simply
have them hang up or use their mute button (or the toggle switch (*6) if you are on Heartland lines).
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Other
As the call leader, organizer, have clear instructions on conference call
etiquette, and conduct, especially in terms of questions, cross talk, entering and exiting calls.
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Managing Audio Conference Calling Sound Quality
On Seek Solution's Rentabridge.com conference calls, you will be on conference bridge lines that have
double muting features. Our mute-mute telephone bridge lines are dual-mutable (i.e., the host
uses a separate code to enter the call which gives them executive functions,
including muting the entire line and/or guests/participants can mute themselves).
Be Familiar with the Automated Commands
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HOST/ADMIN/MODERATOR CODE AUTOMATED COMMANDS INFO
(functions are toggle switches so are turned on and off using the same code)
(*4) -- Increase volume to all callers
(*5) -- Mute all callers (presentation mode/lecture mode). This function will override all functions,
so if you use it to mute callers and release it, it will also override the individual muting (*6)
function.
(*8) -- Number of callers
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GUEST/CONFEREE/PARTICIPANT CODE AUTOMATED COMMANDS INFO (functions are toggle switches so are turned
on and off using the same code):
(*6) -- Mute individual line
Speaker Program Teleseminars Done in Lecture Style
Teleseminars Using Presentation Mode (Toggle Switch (*5))
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For large teleclasses or teleseminar call programs, especially those with 20 or more participants,
the chance of someone's long distance company bringing an echo or someone having to use a
cell phone (bringing static or atmospheric interference) is higher, even when you ask them not
to do so.
Make sure all call leaders, moderators or speaker/presenters have the HOST
code so they can put the call into presentation mode (*5), muting all callers except those with
the HOST code on an as needed basis. Disable
presentation mode using the same keys (*5).
Note: Once you release the call from presentation mode
(*5) callers will be un-muted, even callers who are using the individual mute (*6).
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Anyone with the HOST code may not be able to individually mute
using the system (*6), while the call is in presentation mode. It depends on the style of the bridge. These
callers can mute with their own phone if necessary. Ask us if you have any questions.
Teleseminars with Open Discussion or Q & A With Participants
Using or Skipping Presentation Mode to Improve Sound Quality in an Interactive Teleseminar
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Using Presentation Mode and Then Switching to Q & A
Once you release the call from presentation mode (*5) callers will be un-muted.
If you plan on having an open discussion or a question and answer session where
you will disable presentation mode (toggle switch (*5)), we recommend you have
everyone who is not speaking mute themselves using the (*6) mute feature (it is a toggle switch,
hit (*6) to mute and un-mute).
Have them use the system (*6) to mute. This way, when you disable presentation mode and open the call for questions,
the sound quality will not be affected by someone's long distance carrier or cell phones.
Remember, it take a couple seconds to mute and un-mute using (*6), so remind people to pause before they
speak to be sure they are un-muted.
Anyone with the HOST code may not be able to individually mute
using the system (*6), while the call is in presentation mode. It depends on the style of the bridge. These
callers can mute with their own phone if necessary. Ask us if you have any questions.
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Skipping Presentation Mode and Having Callers Individually Mute Themselves With the Bridge System
Personally, as a teleseminar leader, I (Shannon Seek, Principal of Rentabridge.com), think the best way to go
if you plan to have open discussion or Q & A, is to take a
minute or two at the beginning of the call to have everyone mute with (*6). Then go from there and skip
using presentation mode (*5).
This way you can still have discussion by asking callers to (*6) un-mute
when they want to talk. Remember to ask them to remute (*6) when they are done. If I notice noise
during a call, I stop and ask people to re-mute.
I would only use presentation mode (*5) if I am conducting a lecture style meeting.
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