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Being able to talk to your friends that your playing in a game with is a nice social feature. In competitive gaming its a necessity. Currently the two big VoIP (voice over internet protocol) software programs are Ventrilo and Mumble. The only things that the programs require you to have is speakers and some form of mic. Most players will use a headset, but if your desperate you can use your laptops built in microphone and speakers. Both software packages require you to have a host server. These server cost a small monthly fee (around $5~$10) and are usually provided by your guildmaster (GM). 

Download Client

All you need to do as a guild member is install the cilent software and configure it to connect to your guild’s server. If your guild uses Mumble download the Mumble cilent, if they use Ventrilo (Vent) then download the Ventrillo client.

To download the Ventrilo client click here. To download the Mumble client click here. Once you’ve downloaded the clients run the setup. The setup works like a any normal program you’d grab off the internet so just go through the EULA, click accept, click typical install, click next, then you might need to click next again…blah, blah, blah.

Ventrilo Configuration

1) Start Ventrilo (duh)

2) Click the arrow to the right of “User Name” type in any user name and click ok (this is the name you will show up on in the server list. Its not a log on name)

3) Click the arrow to the right of “Server”

4) You will need three things from your GM. The Hostname (or IP), the port number (usually 5 digits), and the server password

5) Enter the above information in their respective fields, click ok.

6) At the main screen click setup. (Make sure your headset or mic is plugged in first)

7) On the left hand column make sure “Use Push to Talk Hotkey” is checked, and verify the Hotkey command in the box below “Play key Clicks” be default it should be “Left Control”

8) On the right hand column make sure the speakers you want voice coming out of are selected in the “Output Device” drop drown menu.

9) Likewise make sure your microphone is selected from the drop down menu in the “Input Device”.

10) Click ok

11) At the main screen make sure the server you just setup is selected in the drop down menu, then click the button that says “Connect”

12) If you inputted the server’s information correctly the server will connect and you’ll be able to see the channels in the server window. Double click the channel you wish to join.

13) Push your push to talk hot key to talk (think of it as pushing to PTT button on your walkie talkie)

14) Have fun

Mumble

Mumble is very similar to Ventrilo in terms of setup.

1) Launch Mumble (again…duh)

2) When Mumble launches you should see the “Mumble Server Connect” window, if you don’t click “Server” in the menu, then click “connect”

3) Click the “Add New” button

4) Give the server a name, then input the server address, port, and password (you get the address, port, and password from your GM)

5) Highlight the server you just setup and click connect.

6) Click “Configure” in the menu bar (make sure your headset or mic is plugged in) then click “Settings”

7) In the “Audio Input” tab you should see a drop down menu next to “Device” make sure the microphone you want to use is selected

8) Under “Transmission” and next to “Transmit” make sure “Push to Talk” is selected from the drop down list.

9) Now on the left hand side select the “Audio Output” tab

10) On the right you’ll see a a drop down menu next to “Device” make sure you have the device you want to hear voice coming out of is selected

11) Click ok

12) Double click the channel you want to talk in

13) Push your PTT key (Left Control by default) to talk

14) Have fun (Wow they even have the same number of steps)

I’m always looking for new ideas for WoW 101 articles. Please send you ideas to holyshattpodcast@gmail.com. If you listen to the previous weeks podcast and include the secret word in your email along with your WoW 101 suggestion you’ll be entered to win a 30 day World of Warcraft time card!