What the heck is this thing?

The JackTrip Virtual Studio is an online platform by which you can play music together remotely over the internet. It's like a conferencing platform for low-latency, high-quality audio. It lets people communicate together in near real-time!

To work, it requires some hardware, and an online account at app.jacktrip.org. You don't need to install any software on your computer- everything is controlled through the browser.

Hardware

There are a few pieces of hardware each member of your group will need in order to connect online, including the JackTrip Bridge, which is the best way to connect to the Virtual Studio.

The JackTrip Bridge: Should I Buy from Amazon, or Build my own?

The JackTrip Bridge is a tiny computer that runs the software necessary to connect the the Virtual Studio. It plugs into your router via an ethernet cable so that it can access the internet.

      Left: Pre-built JackTrip Analog Bridge.           Right: DIY JackTrip Digital Bridge with Raspberry Pi

There are a few ways to get your hands on a JackTrip Bridge:

1. You can buy a pre-built JackTrip Analog Bridge from Amazon, or
2. You can buy a pre-built JackTrip Digital Bridge from Amazon, or
3. You can build your own Bridge using DIY Raspberry Pi Components

Audio

The JackTrip Analog Bridge has an audio interface in it, so you can just plug in your compatible microphone and headphones.

The JackTrip Digital Bridge lets you use a USB audio interface of your choice, so you can use your preferred audio devices. Here are some examples of audio interfaces you might want to use:

1. An Audio Interface, like the Presonus AudioBox USB 96 or the Scarlett Focusrite 2i2
2. A USB Microphone, like the Blue Yeti Nano or Rode NT-USB Mini
3. An "Audio Adapter" (AKA "External Sound Card"), like the Sabrent Aluminum USB External Stereo Sound Adapter. These aren't the highest quality, but can be purchased very inexpensively.

Whatever you choose - make sure you can plug your headphones into it!

Microphone

You'll need a microphone. We'll cover options for compatible microphones in Step 1.

Headphones

You'll need headphones to hear the other people you're connecting with. We'll cover options for compatible headphones in Step 1.

Cables

You'll need a raspberry pi power supply and ethernet cable (CAT 5e or better).

Online account at app.jacktrip.org

Every member will need an account in order to connect to others online, and to control the JackTrip Bridge through a browser. You can create an account right away, or you can follow the guides for creating an account in Step 3.

Next Steps

If you have a JackTrip Analog Bridge, you should proceed to Step 1 (Pre-Built Virtual Studio): Getting the right gear

If you have a JackTrip Digital Bridge, you should proceed to Step 1 (DIY Virtual Studio): Getting the right gear