We strongly recommend using a microphone when using the staRt app on iPad or on the web – you will see clearer, peakier peaks! I get a lot of queries asking what microphone we recommend. To be honest, we don’t think it matters that much WHAT microphone you use, as long as you use one. If you or your client can find a pair of earbuds with an inline microphone, that should be fine. We do have a few suggestions: 

• We recommend holding the mic a few inches in front of the speaker’s mouth. 
• We do NOT recommend using Airpods.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the options on Amazon, here are two inexpensive options you might try:

• If your device has a mic jack
• If your device has only USB-C ports
• If you want a combined mic/headset for telepractice

If you’re using the staRt app over a video call, note that Zoom doesn’t like sustained speech sounds – it thinks there’s an echo and cuts the audio. To avoid this, turn on “original audio for musicians”! You need to enable original audio in Zoom’s audio settings panel (click the up arrow next to the mute button and choose “Audio Settings”) AND turn it on in the call (upper left corner). 

Our team has been thrilled to see the growing number of users of the staRt iOS app, but we know it has some limitations. It’s not a great fit for telepractice, where its high processing load makes it hard to use with screen-sharing or mirroring technology. Also, we know that not everyone has an iPad! 

Enter bitslabstart.com! We are still building out the full set of features, but the current release includes the core speech visualization (real-time wave with adjustable target slider), an interactive user tutorial, and an “SLP Info” tab with suggested targets and links to additional resources. It can be used in a browser on a desktop or laptop computer (Mac or PC).* Use it in person if you don’t have an iPad, or screen-share it over Zoom for your telepractice clients!

A few hints for telepractice:

• If possible, run the software on the client’s device so they see the wave with no lag.
• Try turning on Zoom ‘Original Sound for Musicians’ setting to prevent audio from dropping out during sustained sounds.
• Check out our 2023 ASHA talk for additional tips and tricks!

*In its current release, bitslabstart.com does not work on mobile devices. We will work on expanding compatibility moving forward.