How to use TeamSpeak

[Galaxyi]

Chapter 1: Introduction

TeamSpeak is a voice chat program that lets you connect to a server of your choosing and chat with people. Its primary focus is voice, but it also features text chat (though it is peer-2-peer; if you're not in the room when a message is sent, you will never see it. The server doesn't store it.)
There exist 2 separate versions of TeamSpeak:

• TeamSpeak 3 (TS3), the older and more stable version
• TeamSpeak 6 (TS6, the newer, currently in beta version.

Newer doesn't always mean better. Each version has its perks.

TeamSpeak 3:

• ~ Lighter, more minimalistic UI. Will run better on older hardware, but the dated design may be off putting.
• ~ There is a mobile app, but it costs around $2.
• + Stable.
• + Addon and theme support.
• + No account required to use.
• + Lots of settings to control.
• - No screensharing.
• - Text formatting is limited.

TeamSpeak 6:

• ~ Modern, familiar UI. Will not run as smoothly, and some options may be more convoluted.
• ~ No mobile app. There is one planned which will allegedly be free.
• + Screensharing. Currently Peer-2-Peer only, as the server doesn't support it.
• + Extensive text formatting options.
• - Simplified settings, less control.
• - An account is required, under the guise of the program being in beta.
• - Lackluster addon support, no theme support.

Made your decision yet? No? That's ok. The steps are similar for both anyway.
Let's begin with TS3.


Chapter 2: Install and Configure TeamSpeak 3

Go to TeamSpeak's download page. Select TeamSpeak 3, then download it.

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Run the installer, accept the terms, let it do its thing. You may want to uncheck "Install the official TeamSpeak overlay, by Overwolf". That is up to you though.

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Once the installer is finished, start TS3. If you didn't untick the final box, it will start itself once you close the installer.
The first time you start TS3, you will be met with the Privacy Policy. Once you've read and accepted the terms, you will be met with with an advertisement for TS6, and a login pop-up.
If you do not intend to use a myTeamSpeak account, click "Continue without logging in" in the bottom left corner. Select a nickname for yourself.

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Next, you need to configure your audio settings. Defaults can work but it's best to fine tune them to ensure you sound as good as possible. Go to Tools -> Options. It will open the settings.
For this guide, we will only focus on "Capture". Click on it. Let's go over each option:

• Capture Mode: Leave it at "Automatically use best mode".
• Capture Device: Your microphone. Default is often correct, but always double check.
• Push-To-Talk: Self explanatory. If you enable it, you can set the hotkey for it.
• Continuous Transmission Vs. Voice Activity Detection: Whether you want to always transmit your microphone audio, or only if enough noise comes through. Voice Activity Detection modes include:
• Automatic: Based on your audio, will determine when you're actually talking, and when you're not. Ok if your mic is of poor quality.
• Volume Gate: Only lets audio go through if loud enough. Good for studio quality mics, though they can often handle this themselves.
• Hybrid: Mix of both.
• Typing Attenuation: Will attempt to mute keyboard sounds. Lowers audio quality.
• Remove background noise: Filters out background noise. If set too high, will filter out your voice. It will also usually mute you if you yell. Significantly lowers audio quality.
• Echo cancellation: Rather self explanatory. If your microphone doesn't pick up your headphones audio, then it is best to leave it off. Tends to nullify Soundboards.
• Echo reduction: Lowers the volume of other clients when you're talking, to avoid their audio coming through to your mic. Like with Echo cancellation, you don't need it if you don't suffer from echo issues.

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Feel free to explore other settings. Once you're done, don't forget to click "Apply". Now close the settings. It is now time to connect to the server.
Click on "Connections" on the top left corner of the main window, then click "Connect". You may also just press "Ctrl+S".
This will open a connection window. In "Server Nickname or Address", input ts.apunogames.com
Remember to provide your Nickname just below. Now click connect.

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You are now connected to our server. You will automatically be placed in the channel "Spawn". Rest assured, this channel is configured so no one can talk, so don't panic if you see someone with you.
Below the channel list, is the text chat. You must be in a channel to see its text chat. To move to a different channel, double click the one you'd like to join.

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The final step is to save the server to bookmarks to make it easier to connect to. Next to "Connections", click "Bookmarks", and "Add to Bookmarks".
This opens a new window, and if you're connected to the server, it will be automatically filled with relevant information.

OPTIONAL: If you want to automatically connect to the server when you start TeamSpeak, click "Go Advanced" at the bottom and check "Connect on Startup".
You can now click "OK".
That's it! You're all done. The server can be found in the Bookmarks sub menu. Clicking on it will connect you.

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Chapter 3: TeamSpeak 6

Go to TeamSpeak's download page. TS6 is already selected by default, so just click download.
The installer is roughly twice the size of TS3's. Open it and proceed with installation.

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TeamSpeak 6 requires you to have a myTeamSpeak account. If you don't have one, create it first.
Proceed with the first time setup.
Once you're in the main window, you can access setting via the cogwheel next to your username in the bottom left. The settings we're interested in are located in "Audio".
The settings have been simplified. Please take your time reading through them and what they do.

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To connect, locate the Search bar below the TeamSpeak logo on the top left. Type in ts.apunogames.com and press enter.
You will connect, and the server will appear below the search bar. To bookmark it, right click it and select "Add to Bookmarks". The bookmarks appear just below.

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Conclusion

Congrats! You just did something trivial! TeamSpeak has plenty of fun settings for you to explore. If you have specific questions, ask away.
See you there. One day!