Just like skinning a cat, there’s more than one way to throw a virtual dance party. This is the first in a series of guides for various configurations that will speak to the people who are happy with simple things, and options for those of us that lose sleep over sound quality and don’t mind investing a few hours into achieving that ;)
This option is for you if:
- If you value folks being able to see, hear, and feel like they’re dancing with one another
- You prefer dead easy setup for everyone and can tolerate medium quality audio
- Group of < 40 people (you can do more you just won’t see everyone at once)
Overview
Configuration
- For DJ / Host. Computer 💻 for hosting and streaming 🎵
- For Participants. Computer 💻or mobile phone 📱
- Party is hosted over Zoom
- Can use anything for playing music. Whatever sounds are playing are on the host computer are streamed to participants.
Pros
One app to rule them all!
- One app for the DJ for both video and audio
- One app for participants for both video and audio (can join on phones or laptops)
Interactive!
- 👀 Can see everyone participating at the same time (DJ and everyone else)
- 🎤 People don’t need to mute their microphones, can talk while you dance
Cons
- Decent but not high quality audio stream (fine for many people, but not for audiophiles)
- 💲Zoom free is limited to 40 minute meeting, $10 for a month to remove time limit
Setup for Host
Hardware Setup for Host
All you need is a computer 💻!
Highly recommend to plug it into Ethernet cable for hard-wired connection to Internet. If you have a bad connection, streaming services will automatically reduce streaming quality.
Software Setup Host
- Download Zoom for Desktop
- Create a Zoom account. Sign up for the lowest tier for $10 if you want to host for > 40 min
- Host a Zoom meeting
- Stream your computer’s internal audio through Zoom. Click “Share Screen”. Under the “Advanced” tab, select “Computer Sound Only”. Click “Share” (see image below).
- Play music on your computer from whatever app you want — Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, whatever. As long as the music comes out of your speakers, Zoom will be taking the internal audio and playing it for others.
- Share information with participants. Setup Guide for Participants and Zoom meeting link.
- Click “Gallery View” in the upper right hand corner of Zoom if you want to see everyone’s video streams at the same time.
- BOOGIE! 🕺💃
Setup for Participants
Minimum Setup
- Download Zoom on your preferred device (mobile or laptop)
- Join the meeting via link from the organizer
- DANCE 🕺💃
If you want to be able to see everyone at the same time, click the “Gallery View” button in the upper right hand corner in Zoom, which will allow you to see up to 40 video streams simultaneously. Only available on desktop / laptop.
Elite Optimizations
Dance is normally about being in your body, in the moment, with others. If you really want to feel the juicier parts of dancing remotely (at least as best as we can), take some care for your setup and do something like the following suggestions:
🔊 Use good speakers!
Laptop and phone speakers usually don’t immerse you in the sound. Find a good speaker beforehand and crank the volume.
📺 Use big screen for video!
Staring at a tiny screen will focus your attention and probably take you out of your body a bit. If you want to feel the movement with others, try to find a big screen to see them on. Have a projector? AWESOME. Maybe a TV with ChromeCast or AirPlay you can send the video to? GREAT.
✨ Pimp your space
Props, costumes, lights, etc etc etc. Dancing through a screen is not the same as dancing alongside someone. Introducing another creative element can be super entertaining.
🔌 Plug in your computer to ethernet!
These applications reduce video and audio quality if you have a weak connection. Plug your computer in if you can for the best quality, or make sure you’re somewhere with really good wifi.
Check out my other shenanigans @ www.tripish.co
Originally published at www.tripish.co on March 20, 2020
