Help with Loudtalks

Loudtalks is a beta software. Bug reports are welcome.

Getting started

  1. Download and install Loudtalks software.
  2. Make sure that you have a microphone and speakers (or headphones) attached to your PC. Microphone and speakers, built into your laptop are fine (that's what we use with Loudtalks every day).
  3. Select "echo" in your contacts list, push F7 button and speak, while holding it. Release the button and your message will be sent back to you.
  4. Use Tools > Add a contact menu command to add some friends and start talking!
More detailed introduction including screenshots is available in this blog post.

How do I... ?

  • Send a message to multiple recipients
    Select friends from your channels list by clicking on them while holding Ctrl button.
  • Create a group
    Select the contacts you want to group by clicking on them while holding Ctrl key. Then use menu Tools > Create a group.... Enter new group name, when prompted and click OK.
  • Add a friend to the contacts list
    Use Tools > Add a contact... menu and enter your friend's e-mail or Loudtalks username. Click Next and Loudtalks will search the network. The person you added will need to approve your request before you can start communicating.
  • Send a longer message. I don't want to keep holding the Speak button
    Simply move your mouse over the Lock section of the Speak button and release the button. You can continue talking now until the button is clicked again.
  • Set a status text
    Right-click on the status text in the status bar of Loudtalks and edit it.
  • Use handsfree mode
    See this guide.
  • Make Loudtalks window appear always on top
    Double-click on the Loudtalks's main window caption to trigger always on top mode.
  • Use Loudtalks behind a proxy server
    If you are using a proxy server Loudtalks will try to guess your configuration automatically. If it fails, you can configure a proxy server manually by using menu Tools > Options... and then Connection.
  • Configure my firewall to enable Loudtalks
    If you experience reliability issues using Loudtalks (like missing online contacts), you might need to configure your firewall. First add Loudtalks to safe applications list. Then go to Tools > Options..., open Connection settings and define a fixed port number for incoming connections. Click Ok to close the window and apply settings. Now enable the port you just configured for incoming connections in your firewall.

Keyboard shortcuts

  • F7
    Push-to-talk button. Hold this button while speaking to transmit your message. This shortcut works in all applications (even if Loudtlaks window is hidden).
  • Ctrl + F7
    Talk lock button. Use this combination to start sending a longer message. Use F7 to stop the transmittion. This shortcut works in all applications (even if Loudtlaks window is hidden).
  • Shift + F7
    Repeat the latest message.

Troubleshooting

  • I see "Can't join Loudtalks network" error. It worked before.
    Most likely you are running the old version of Loudtalks, which is no longer supported. Download and install the newest release to fix.
  • I can't connect
    In the most cases Loudtalks requires no configuration to work properly. If you can't connect, make sure that your internet connection is up. If you are using Loudtalks within a corporate network you might need to check with your system administrator to make sure that they don't block Loudtalks.
  • Recipient hears first few seconds of the message only
    Make sure that you hold the Speak button while talking. Loudtalks is push-to-talk system and normal sequence is: push, speak, release.
  • Contact authorization doesn't work (even though both users are online)
    Most likely a personal firewall is partially blocking Loudtalks at one user's machine. To solve the issue: 1. Open Loudtalks settings, Connection tab. Enter a fixed port number (i.e. 5555) to replace "Auto" in the Client listening port field ; 2. Configure your personal firewall to allow incoming UDP to that port.
  • The volume is too low — the other person can hardly hear me
    Turn on mic boost option. If your sound card is supported, you can turn it on via Loudtalks settings. If the option is not available (grey) you still might be able to turn it on via sound card driver setting. Realtek HD Audio users may use this guide or this YouTube video as a reference.
  • I forgot my password
    Use Forgot password help on this site.
  • It doesn't work at all!
    We are still in beta so it could be broken sometimes. Just try it a bit later.

More help resources