Advice about online lessons

[Happy Bull]

I have been having online lessons with my current teacher for about 18 months. At her recommendation we use FB Messenger but after the last update the noise cancelling algorithm treats the saxophone as background noise.
I have tried multiple sound cards computers and microphones and settings in the software. None of it works.
I use Windows and Android and my teacher uses Apple systems.
What does anyone else use for online lessons?
I'd love to know.

 

[mizmar]

Fwiw, I use Skype with my flute teacher - his preference. Not had that kind of problem.

 

[Happy Bull]

Flutes are quieter than tenor sax so maybe less likely to trigger noise suppression algorithms.

 

[mizmar]

Skype has active noise cancellation in it's App, but you can turn it off. I use Skype through a browser and that doesn't have ANC anyway.
I don't know about FB Messenger.

 

[Guenne]

What does anyone else use for online lessons?

Zoom, for various reasons, both as teacher and student.

 

[mizmar]

As a thought. Set up Skype or zoom on your normal rig use the test number with your sax and see if it works. If it does, you'll know your setup is fine and messenger is the problem. If it doesn't work, the problem is elsewhere in your setup?

 

[Happy Bull]

Good idea about Skype test number except the test lasts 20sec and that may not be long enough for ANC to come in. But will certainly give it a go along with other tests I'm working on.

 

[Guenne]

For me, sometimes it even depends on Internet connection.
I'm having problems with my hybrid (LTE+Broadband) router, as with the same settings, the tone is sometimes cut (like noise cancelling). When I switch to the iPhone connected to the iMac as a modem, all is good.

 

[Happy Bull]

Zoom, for various reasons, both as teacher and student.

Do you use the Advanced settings in Zoom which appear to be intended for music lessons?

 

[Guenne]

Do you use the Advanced settings in Zoom which appear to be intended for music lessons?

Yes. But I think this is the most important setting.
It's in the left upper corner of the screen. When you start a meeting, it always defaults to "Off"

 

[Happy Bull]

Yes. But I think this is the most important setting.
It's in the left upper corner of the screen. When you start a meeting, it always defaults to "Off"

View attachment 25429

Yes I have done some tests with this mode and it seems to work. So far I have done a test with my wife as the other person and we recorded the results so I could review it. My teacher seems to want to try other methods first but the fact you have had success with this is helpful.
Quite right, you have to check each time, as it defaults to off.