Setting Up Audio & Video

Good audio and video make collaboration feel natural. Bad audio and video make everyone frustrated. Let's get you set up right.

Start with System Check

Before your first session, run Kolab's built-in diagnostic tool:

Launch System Check

The System Check will:

• Test your camera and show a preview
• Test your microphone and speakers
• Check your browser compatibility
• Identify any permission issues
• Give you specific recommendations

It takes about 60 seconds and catches most issues before they become problems in a live session.

Audio & Video Features

Kolab includes several features to improve your audio and video quality:

Noise Cancellation

Kolab uses AI-powered noise cancellation to remove background noise from your microphone. This is enabled by default.

To toggle noise cancellation:

1. Click the Settings button (gear icon or three-dot menu)
2. Find Noise Cancellation
3. Toggle on or off

Note: Noise cancellation is not supported in Safari.

Background Blur & Virtual Backgrounds

You can blur your background or use a virtual background:

1. Click Settings → Visual Effects → Open
2. Choose from:
   • Light blur - Subtle background softening
   • Heavy blur - Strong background blur
   • Virtual backgrounds - Office, nature scenes, minimal walls, and more

You can also apply visual effects on the pre-join screen before entering the space.

Auto-Mute in Larger Sessions

When 5 or more participants are in a space, new participants are automatically muted when they join. This prevents audio chaos in larger sessions. You'll see a notification and can unmute yourself when ready to speak.

The Quick Setup

Before joining any session:

1. Use headphones - Prevents echo and improves audio quality
2. Face a light source - Window in front of you, not behind
3. Find a quiet spot - Background noise is distracting for everyone
4. Close other video apps - Only one app can use your camera at a time

Choosing Your Devices

On the pre-join screen, you'll see dropdowns for your camera and microphone.

Selecting Your Camera

Click the camera dropdown to see all available cameras. You might see:

• Built-in camera (laptop webcam)
• External webcam (if connected)
• Virtual cameras (from apps like OBS or Snap Camera)

Tip: External webcams usually have better quality than built-in ones. If you have one, try it.

Selecting Your Microphone

Click the microphone dropdown to see your options:

• Built-in microphone (laptop mic)
• Headset microphone (if using headphones with a mic)
• External microphone (if connected)

Tip: Headset microphones are almost always better than laptop mics. They're closer to your mouth and pick up less background noise.

Selecting Your Speakers

If you see a speaker dropdown, choose where you want to hear audio:

• Built-in speakers (laptop speakers)
• Headphones (wired or Bluetooth)
• External speakers (if connected)

Tip: Headphones are strongly recommended. They prevent your microphone from picking up what others are saying, which causes echo.

Testing Before You Join

Testing Your Camera

On the pre-join screen, you should see a live preview of your camera. Check:

Testing Your Microphone

Look for the microphone level indicator on the pre-join screen. When you speak:

• The indicator should move
• It should respond to your voice, not background noise

If you don't see movement when you speak, your microphone isn't working.

Common Audio Problems (And How to Fix Them)

"No one can hear me"

Check the basics:

1. Make sure you're not muted (look for the mute icon)
2. Verify the right microphone is selected
3. Check that your browser has microphone permission

Still not working?

• Close other apps that might be using your microphone (Zoom, Teams, Discord)
• Try a different microphone if you have one
• Restart your browser

"I can't hear anyone"

In Kolab, you might not hear someone because of spatial audio - you only hear people who are near you on the canvas.

First, check if it's spatial audio:

• Move closer to someone on the canvas
• If you start hearing them, spatial audio is working correctly

If you can't hear anyone even when close:

1. Check your speaker/headphone selection
2. Check your system volume (not just browser volume)
3. Make sure your headphones are connected properly
4. Try a different audio output device

"There's an echo"

Echo happens when your microphone picks up sound from your speakers.

Fix it:

1. Use headphones (best solution)
2. Turn down your speaker volume
3. Move your microphone away from your speakers

"People say I sound robotic or choppy"

This is usually a network issue:

1. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router
2. Close bandwidth-heavy apps (streaming video, large downloads)
3. Try a wired ethernet connection if possible

Common Video Problems (And How to Fix Them)

"My camera won't turn on"

Check the basics:

1. Make sure your browser has camera permission
2. Close other apps that might be using your camera
3. Check if your laptop has a physical camera cover/slider

Still not working?

• Try a different browser (Chrome and Firefox work best)
• Restart your browser
• Restart your computer
• Try an external webcam if you have one

"My video is dark"

You need more light on your face:

• Sit facing a window (during daytime)
• Add a desk lamp pointing toward your face
• Avoid sitting with a bright light behind you (like a window behind you)

"My video is blurry"

If it's out of focus:

• Clean your camera lens
• Make sure you're the right distance from the camera
• Check if your camera has auto-focus (some need manual focus)

If it's pixelated:

• This is usually a bandwidth issue
• Close other apps using internet
• Move closer to your router
• Check if your internet is slow (try speedtest.net)

"My video is freezing"

Similar to choppy audio, this is usually network-related:

1. Close bandwidth-heavy apps
2. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router
3. Try a wired connection
4. Lower video quality if that option is available

Pro Tips for Looking and Sounding Great

Lighting

The best lighting for video calls:

1. Main light in front of you - Ideally a window, or a lamp at eye level
2. No bright lights behind you - These make you look like a silhouette
3. Soft, diffused light - Harsh shadows look unflattering

Camera Angle

Position your camera at eye level or slightly above:

• Laptop on a stand or stack of books works great
• Looking slightly down is not flattering (avoid laptop on desk)
• Looking straight at the camera feels more natural to others

Audio Environment

For the best audio:

• Quiet room - Close doors, windows, turn off fans
• Soft surfaces - Rooms with carpet, curtains, and furniture have less echo
• Consistent noise - A quiet hum (like AC) is better than intermittent noise (like dogs barking)

Headphone Etiquette

Using headphones is almost always better, but:

• Wired headphones are more reliable than Bluetooth
• Over-ear headphones can cause audio to bleed if volume is high
• AirPods and earbuds work great for most situations

Testing Your Setup

Before an important session, do a quick test:

1. Join a test room (ask your facilitator for a link, or create your own space)
2. Check your video looks good
3. Say something and confirm your audio indicator moves
4. Move around the canvas and confirm spatial audio works
5. Try your controls - mute, unmute, camera on/off

Five minutes of testing can save you from technical issues during the real thing.

Getting Help

If you've tried everything and still have issues:

1. Check our troubleshooting guide - Troubleshooting
2. Ask your facilitator - They might have seen your issue before
3. Try a different device - Sometimes switching to a phone or tablet helps
4. Contact support - We're here to help