CROWD MICS 
|
 FAQ

HOW TO PURCHASE
CROWD MICS

What do I need to buy to make Crowd Mics Work?

There are three components to Crowd Mics: the attendee app (available for free from the Apple app store and Google play store), moderator app (free from the Apple app store only), and the Crowd Mics ATOM, which is available for purchase from your preferred AV dealer.

How much does Crowd Mics cost?

The Crowd Mics apps are free. The Crowd Mics ATOM needs to be purchased and professionally installed. To provide a complete quote for your space, we'll need to ask you a few questions first. Fill out the form  here to get started.

How do I buy an ATOM?

Either fill out the form below or contact us and we'll connect you with a dealer in your area.

Is there an annual support contract for receiving software updates?

No.

EVENT MANAGEMENT

If I'm renting a venue, do I have to order both wired internet and wireless internet?

Yes. Wi-Fi is required for both the attendee and moderator apps. The ATOM requires wired internet.

How do I start an event?

1. Connect the ATOM to the room's AV system.

2. Turn the ATOM on.

3. Configure the network settings (See our Network Administrator's Guide for more details).

4. Connect the moderator device to the event Wi-Fi.

5. Open the moderator app and select "Create Event".

6. Enter the details for the event and tap Submit - the event starts, and attendees can now join.

How do I get attendees to download the app?

The ATOM's display screen includes QR codes to download the app as well as join the event.

How do Attendees download app

Additionally, below are bit.ly links pointing at the attendee apps.

Apple: https://bia.mp/cm-aa-app

Google: https://bia.mp/cm-ga-app

How do I see the results after the meeting?

1. Using a browser, connect to the ATOM configuration dashboard via the ATOM's IP address.

2. Tap/click on the Settings link in the left-hand navigation.

Crowd Mics ATOM dashboard

3. ATOM Event Logs are available in the bottom right of the page. Tap/click the View icon next to the event you are interested in to see the log as a PDF, or tick/check the boxes next to the events you are interested in and then tap/click the Download button.

ATTENDEEAPP

What operating systems can the app run on?

iOS and Android.

Is it free?

Yes!

How do attendees connect to the event?

Attendees can tap on the event name in the app, scan the QR code at the bottom right of the ATOM's display screen or enter the IP address found below the QR code.How do Attendees download app

Is the app only available in English?

No. Attendees can choose from over 20 languages including:

  • Arabic
  • Chinese (simplified)
  • Chinese (traditional)
  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • English (AU)
  • English (NZ)
  • English (UK)
  • English (US)
  • Finnish
  • French (Metropolitan/European)
  • German
  • Greek
  • Hebrew
  • Hungarian
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Portuguese (Brazilian)
  • Portuguese (Peninsular/European)
  • Russian
  • Spanish (Peninsular/European)
  • Swedish
  • Turkish

How do attendees request to speak?

By tapping the Mic icon, which adds them to the moderator's queue. The app tells the user to "Please Wait." Once the moderator selects an attendee, the attendee app indicates it's that user's turn to speak.

Do attendees need to hold down the mic icon in the app when it's their turn to speak?

No!

MODERATOR APP

What operating systems can the app run on?

iOS.

Is it free?

Yes!

Is there any other way I can access the moderator interface?

You can also access the moderator interface via any modern web browser.

Is the interface only available in English?

No. Moderators can choose from over 20 languages including:

  • Arabic
  • Chinese (simplified)
  • Chinese (traditional)
  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • English (AU)
  • English (NZ)
  • English (UK)
  • English (US)
  • Finnish
  • French (Metropolitan/European)
  • German
  • Greek
  • Hebrew
  • Hungarian
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Portuguese (Brazilian)
  • Portuguese (Peninsular/European)
  • Russian
  • Spanish (Peninsular/European)
  • Swedish
  • Turkish

Can the moderator turn off an attendee's mic at any time?

Yes!

What types of information can the moderator project to the room displays?

The moderator can share selected questions from participants and poll results with the audience.

Crowd Mics work in an autonomous mode that doesn't require a moderator?

No. Attendee microphones must be activated by the moderator in order for attendees to speak.

Does the moderator have to create polls before the event?

No, moderators can create polls either "on the fly" or before an event begins.

Can there be more than one moderator per event?

Yes!

AUDIO

What audio options are supported by Crowd Mics?

The ATOM has the following audio output options:

  • 3.5mm jack (unbalanced)
  • Euroblock connector (balanced)
  • HDMI embedded
  • USB
  • Any combination of these can be used simultaneously.

    My audio system only has XLR connectors. Can I still use Crowd Mics?

    Yes, but it requires using a 3-pin Euroblock connector to XLR (male) adaptor. See our reference guide for more info.

    Why would I want to use the 3.5mm jack?

    The 3.5mm jack offers an auxiliary output to most consumer-grade audio equipment. It also allows you to connect headphones directly to the ATOM, which can be helpful for room tuning.

    How do you control audio output levels?

    Connect to the ATOM configuration dashboard via a PC on the same subnet with the following URL: https://atom-XXXXXXXXXXXX.local, where the X's represents the ATOM's MAC address and may be found on a label on the underside of the ATOM unit printed above the bar code. You control all audio output levels from this page. Use the top number above the bar code


    Use the top number above the bar code

    What kind of audio latency can I expect?

    Smartphone input to audio output is typically around 75ms. Note that wireless network performance, the model of mobile phone used, and additional latency from inline processing of the output signal (from a DSP, for example) will directly impact overall performance.

VIDEO

What types of video connections are supported by Crowd Mics?

The ATOM has two mirrored HDMI connections.

What output video resolutions are supported?

All standard resolutions up to and including 4K30.

Why does the ATOM have two HDMI ports?

Two HDMI ports allow video to be shared to multiple destinations, such as a presentation system and recording application.

NETWORK CONFIGURATION

See our Network Administrator's Guide for more details. For additional troubleshooting suggestions, check out our online Troubleshooting Guide.

Are there any recommendations for Wi-Fi routers?

A professional WAP/Router is required for Crowd Mics to perform well. Enough WAP capacity should be provided for the number of expected connections at an event. See our Network Administrator's Guide for more details.

 

 

THE ATOM

How many participants can the ATOM support?

Up to 1000; however, careful consideration must be given to wireless network provisioning for large numbers of users.

How can I monitor the ATOM'S performance?

Crowd Mics can be monitored via the administration web page or by SageVue, Biamp's monitoring and management platform.

Can I use the ATOM with 220/230V?

Yes, the ATOM has a universal power supply and ships with various international plug adapters.

What are the USB ports for?

The USB ports provide optional audio outputs.

Does the ATOM store any personally identifiable information like email addresses, etc.?

No. It only logs data about the event itself, like poll results, text questions, etc.

CROWD MICS ONLINE

Do I need to buy a license if I’m just running local events?

No. Licensing is not required.

I want to host an online event and share content with another office that has their own ATOM. Do both ATOMs need a license?

Yes, both ATOMs require a license in this scenario.

Will remote attendees use a different app?

No, all attendees use the same app regardless of their location.

How will remote attendees access the event?

Moderators can invite remote attendees using a pin-code solution.

How do moderators invite remote attendees?

When a moderator schedules an online event in the moderator UI, they can copy the generated event code and email or share the information with remote attendees.

How can a moderator tell whether a participant who has asked to speak is local or remote?

There will be an icon in the moderator interface indicating when a participant is remote.

GENERAL

Can I use Crowd Mics with Tesira?

Yes! In fact, a custom block for recommended processing on Crowd Mics is available for the processing library in Tesira Software. Check out our support article for more info.

Can I use TesiraLUX with Crowd Mics for video distribution?

Yes!

How many simultaneous open microphones (NOM) can Crowd Mics support?

Only one attendee microphone will be open at a time.

Can anyone connected to the local WiFi network use their microphone at any given time?

No. First the moderator needs to create an event in their app. Then the attendee must join that event before a speaking request can be sent to the moderator.

Can I broadcast Crowd Mics audio/video streams over the internet?

Yes, if you're comfortable/experienced working with streaming services. A typical application would be a meeting or conference broadcast to remote participants through collaboration software.

Are you ready to rock your next event?

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