How to Set Up and Use TeamSpeak

You want to start a group with your friends for online gaming, or you are a business professional and want to set up a group for internal communication. This article explains the basics of setting up and using TeamSpeak. It includes the requirements necessary for good communications.

What You Need

The following are things you need for good voice communication using TeamSpeak.

• The system requirements for both server and client for TeamSpeak 3 are quite light. You can get things to work even with a Pentium 4 with a clock speed of at least 800 MHz (no wonder how it works so well on Android phones and the iPhone), 128 MB of memory (512 recommended), and 5 MB of hard disk space. It’s the same for all platforms.
• You'll need an Internet connection with sufficient bandwidth for VoIP. If you are gaming online, the bandwidth required for TeamSpeak compared to that you are already using is negligible. So bandwidth should not be a problem for online gamers.
• The TeamSpeak software (client), which is available to download for free.
• You'll need a TeamSpeak server, which is a central element for voice communication to take place. Read below for more.
• You'll need a team, a group of people who are willing to communicate and to install the client.

Getting a TeamSpeak Server

This is the most intriguing part of the job. There are different scenarios here, depending on how you will use the service and in what context.

The apps are available freely, and only the service is paid. Now if you can host a server yourself, you get the server software free. You need to pay for the service monthly, in case you are a professional wanting to run the thing within your business. Check their website for the pricing. Note that in this case, you will need to leave your server computer on and connected 24/7. Also note that if you are a non-profit organization or group, you have free licenses.

Now if you don’t want to get bothered running your server, you can rent one. There are plenty of TeamSpeak servers around offering service for some clients. You pay for the service monthly. Typical values would be around $10 for 50 users for a month. Search TeamSpeak servers to find them.

Downloading and Installing the Client

It is straightforward to download and install the TeamSpeak client app. Go to the downloads page of the TeamSpeak website. Your platform (whether Windows, Mac or Linux) should be listed with the available versions.

The TeamSpeak client app for Android devices can also be obtained from Google Play and that for the iPhone on the Apple App Store.

Setting Up the TeamSpeak App

Once you launch the downloaded installation file, you are requested as usual to read the disclaimer and legalese and to approve. The installation sequence is quite common and easy, but there are certain parameters you need to enter correctly.

The setup wizard asks you to:

• Choose a nickname
• Specify microphone setting
• Test your microphone
• Specify keyboard hotkeys, if any
• Select a sound pack for notifications
• Select plug-ins if any

Using the TeamSpeak App

The first thing you need to do when using TeamSpeak is to connect to a server. Enter the server address, your nickname, and password. Then you are connected to that group and can start communicating. The rest can be done quickly with this easy and user-friendly interface. Share the server address with the friends you want to interact with.