Configuring your headset settings

In order for the Tute platform to be able to detect and use your headset for lessons, you must first make sure that it is set up correctly on your Windows operating system. 

Windows should detect your headset automatically when you plug it in [ plug & play ].

However, previously installed devices and configurations may mean you need to adjust your Windows sound properties for recording (microphone) and playback (speakers). 

Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 :

This section covers audio settings on all the above versions of Windows. 

Tute does not support Windows versions lower than Windows 7;  as Microsoft no longer supports these.

Locating your Windows Sound Properties:

To locate your Windows Sound properties, you can either go to Control Panel and select Sound or alternatively, right click the sound icon along your task bar and select either Playback or Recording.

By default your playback and recording devices will look something like the below, with speakers selected as your default device under Playback, and Internal Mic as your default device under Recording.

Connecting and enabling your headset in Windows:

Once you connect your device, Windows should detect this and alter the Playback and Recording tabs as shown below. 

Note: when you first plug in a USB headset, the device may need to install its drivers before it shows up in Sound Properties.  This is done automatically when you plug in the USB headset, and may take up to 5 minutes to complete.  Windows will notify you via a small pop up when the device is installed and ready to use.

Here is the same settings once a USB headset has been connected:

As you can see above, Windows has detected the headset in both Playback and Recording (Listed as Headset Earphone, Headset Microphone respectively).  We now have two active devices listed for each, but for Tute lessons we only want the headset being used for both Playback and Recording.  To do this you need to disable the other devices - simply right click the Internal Mic and select Disable, then do the same for speakers.

Now you have disabled all devices other than the headset in both Playback and Recording, you should have something that looks similar to this:

Testing your headset Playback and Recording function:

Now to test the Playback and Recording functionality on your connected headset.  Under Playback, right click on the Headset Earphone entry and select Test – you should hear a short jingle in each ear, as well as see the sound bar level rise up when the sound is played.

Next, under the Recording tab, locate your ticked headset and speak into your mic.  You should see the green levels go up and down as you talk.

You have now fully configured and tested your headset Playback and Recording, and are ready to join a Tute lesson.  Click OK to save the settings.