In order to use Jamulus, you need either a desktop or a laptop computer (tablet devices and smart phones don’t work).
Next, you need to connect your computer directly to your internet modem with an Ethernet cable (WiFi is unworkable). If your computer and internet modem aren’t close to each other, it is common for people to buy a 100ft Ethernet cable ($30 on Amazon) and string it across their house whenever they want to use Jamulus.
Finally, you will need “input” and “output” devices. There are three common choices…
The simplest is to just use the built-in microphone on your computer for the input and headphones connected to your computer for the output. Bluetooth headphones are unfortunately unworkable, so you will have to have wired headphones. Most modern computers don’t have a headphone jack, so you will have to get a converter that enables you to connect your headphones to a USB port on your computer.
The optimal choice is to get an audio interface (Focusrite is a popular brand) and a standard microphone (like a Shure SM58). The microphone is your input device and is connected to the audio interface with an XLR cable. And your wired headphones also connect to the audio interface.
A third choice is to get a USB microphone that connects directly to your computer as your input device, and connect your wired headphones to your computer as in choice #1 (this choice doesn’t require an audio interface).
Once you’re connected with an Ethernet cable and have your input and output devices set, you can download Jamulus (a free app) and install it on your computer. Use the button below to go to the Jamulus download website. There’s also a button below that links to video instructions for how to install and use Jamulus.
Notes about things not mentioned in the video:
If you’re using a Mac, you may get a Security popup when trying to install Jamulus. If this happens, go to Settings>Privacy & Security, then scroll down until you see “Jamulus was blocked…” and click “Open Anyway.”
If you’re using a Windows computer, you’ll need to download ASIO4ALL in addition to Jamulus. When you get into the Jamulus “device settings” (as described in the video), the device you’ll select is “ASIO4All.”