Below is my audio / video setup to improve the streaming quality on FaceBook Live and/or Zoom.

• Hardware:
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • Samson AirLine 99m AH9 with Fitness Headset ($299)
  • StarTech Headset Adapter, Microphone Y Splitter ($8) (Not found at Walmart)
  • Apple USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter ($9) (Also found at Walmart)
  • 3.5 mm Male to Male Stereo Audio Aux Cable ($6) (Also found at Walmart)
      -
• Software:
  • macOS Mojave 10.14.6
  • iTunes Version 12.9.5.5
  • Loopback by Rogue Amoeba ($99)

The final setup looks like:

Step #1: To start, I connected the 3.5mm Male to Male Stereo Audio Aux Cable (the blue one pictured) to the 3.5mm female jack on the back of the Samsun AirLine 99m Receiver. 

Step #2: Then I connected the other end of the 3.5mm Cable to the Microphone port on the Y Splitter Cable. On the Y Splitter cable, there will be two ports, one is for Headphones, the other is for a Microphone. 

In the picture below, you can barely see the little Microphone and Headphone icons. Your splitter might be a little easier to tell, but make sure you plug it into the Microphone options.

Optional: If you have computer speakers, you can plug them into the Headphones jack.

Step #3: I then connected the male end of the Y Microphone splitter into the female end of the USB-C to adapter (the white cable).

Step #4: Finally, I connected the male end of the USB-C adapter into the USB-C port of the MacBook.

Step #1: Nothing special to do in iTunes (or Spotify if that's what you use for music). Create your playlist as you normally would ... Following all standard & legal guidelines of course!

Step #2: Download & Install the Loopback application by going to: https://rogueamoeba.com/loopback/ and clicking on the "Free Download" button. Once downloaded, run the Installation.

Note: The Free option will only work for 20 minutes. You can use this to test this all out. However, if it works and you like it, you'll need to spend the $99 to license the full version.

Step #3: Start the Loopback application and set it up for use. 

(a) Click the New Virtual Device button in the bottom left to create a new device

(b) Give it a descriptive name. Here, the device's name has been set to “Mic & iTunes”.

(c) You won't use the Pass-Thru source which is included by default, so remove it by clicking to highlight it; Then press the (d) Delete button at the bottom of the window to remove it.

Add the desired audio sources by clicking the (+) button next to the Sources header. As seen below, the “Farrago” app source has been added, as well as a USB device called “USB Microphone”

 Note: Make sure iTunes is open on your computer.

(e) Click the (+) button/icon next to the Sources header. Then select the iTunes option.

 Do this again, but this time for the USB-C input.

(f) Click the (+) button/icon next to the Sources header. Then select the "USB-C to3.55 Headphone Jack Adapter" option.

Note: Be sure to NOT select the Built-In Microphone option. This will use the one built-into the Mac and not your headset.

(g) You'll likely want to uncheck the "Mute when capturing" setting within the Options area of the iTunes source. This will enable you to hear the audio you're playing in your locally; this way you can hear your music to dance to. 

Success! Your software and hardware should be all setup and ready to go. You will not have to configure the Loopback application again, just make sure it is open and running in the background when you start class. Now let's give it all a try!

This is just a very quick walkthrough of starting a FB Live Video. For further help, please use the Googles and your fellow friends for help.

On Facebook, go to the group you'd like to do a live video for. Where you'd go to start a post, there will be an option titled "Live Video" ... it may be under the three dot option (...).

When you start, you will want to select a different Audio / Video source. From the page, click the down arrow to get to a list of options:

From here, under the Microphone option, select the "Mic & iTunes (Virtual)" (or whatever you called it) that we created above in Step 3b.

This will be the combined Music from iTunes and the Microphone headset input that we want. 

Now you are ready to "Go Live" ... click the button over on the Left and you should be all set to go!

The first time you do it, you'll want to test it out with just a friend.

You'll want to try adjusting the volume in iTunes and on your mic to find the right balance between the two (just like in class). 

Just like normally in class, some songs are louder that others, you won't really be able to tell, unless you have someone always giving you feedback remotely. Just work with what you can do and know you're making people happy by being there!