Download Interpreter Console Cheat Sheet (PDF) (Click to download or right click and use “Save link as”)
In the page below you will find quickstart information for Interpreters, new Account Owners, RSI Technical Moderators/Chief Interpreters, Clients.
General Information:
InterStar Interpreter Communication Platform allows professional simultaneous interpreters to communicate during Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) events and allows technical moderators/chief interpreters to manage interpretation teams. Clients will be able to chat separately with the interpretation team. Only one person in the entire event needs to have an account in ICP. Everybody else joins with links. It is not an RSI platform but a system for any RSI interpetation team to communicate.
The system consists of the interpreter console, the moderator console, the client console. It runs in the Chrome browser.
Anyone can have a free account. You can open it at rsi-now.com
The system consists of 2 websites:
interstaricp.com [this website] is the information website.
rsi-now.com is where you login into the platform, create new events, etc.
More help and descriptions are available in the forum on our User Forum page.
Here is how the Interpreter Console looks:
Quick Guide for Interpreters:
1] Interpreters do not need to have an account in the system. All interpreters join with the link the account owner/event creator sends.
2] open the link in your Chrome browser.
You will see a join page similar to this:
3] use a headset and a microphone
4] fill out the join page with your name, select audio devices and video camera (allow your broswer to access them if asked)
5] check the box to accept terms and conditions
6] after you enter the interpreter console unmute your microphone by clicking the microphone button so it becomes red
7] click the video thumbnail of your boothmate who you want to see, bigger video will appear on the left
8] set up correct volume to listen to your boothmate and check that they can hear you too
9] agree with your boothmate on the duration of the shift and configure the booth timer. For example, decide that the interpreter who has just finished the shift will immediately reset the timer.
10] connect to your main RSI platform and start interpreting when necessary and monitor for chimes in your headset (emergency messages). Generally if you are interpreting you do not need to pay much attention to ICP but keep an eye on the chat for messages from you boothmates and technical moderators.
Note: Generally Windows and Mac computers should allow you to use the same microphone in your main RSI event and in ICP if you use 1 device, however it is very hardware specific. If you are not able to mute/unmute your microphones independently, use separate microphones for your RSI event and for ICP. We recommend Rode NT USB Mini desktop microphone and it is best to put it on a microphone arm. If you use a USB headset keep it unmuted in the headset and mute yourself in your RSI software and in ICP independently. [In Zoom you may want to disable the setting to synchronize your headset button with Zoom].
11] concentrate on your interpretation. Your boothmates will get in touch with you if anything needs your attention. If you hear a chime, pay attention to InterStar ICP chat for any emergency messages or to the booth timer (chime = 1 minute left before the end of your shift). Note: volume of the chime is adjustable if it is too loud or soft for you.
12] hand over to your boothmate by clicking “Please take over” button or “I’m ready for handover” buttons. You need to agree In advance who initiates the handover: active interpreter or passive interpreter.
13] if you are a passive interpreter, monitor your boothmate interpretation and send quick or emergency messages to your boothmate, or to the interpretation team, or the technical moderators as needed. You should also be able to speak to your boothmate in an emergency and only you boothmates will hear it on ICP if your RSI platform microphone is muted.
14] take over from your boothmate and continue interpreting.
15] the interpreter console has additional capabilities such as Shift Timer that allows all interpreters in the same booth to track when to hand over, hearing protection for interpreter audio, Quick Messages to communicate instantly by pressing just 1 or 2 buttons. For very quick information sharing you will also be able to share screenshots in chat. These features are optional but may be useful for professional RSI.
16) do not turn off hearing protection/brickwall limiter nor change it settings unless you want to experiment with it or your headset volume is too low in ICP for all ICP speakers. See additional instructions in limiter settings.
17) “Refresh” button in most cases will also not be necessary, but you may use it if you have any audio issues to refresh your console.
See a more detailed video of the Interpreter Console here:
For the new Account Owner:
[we are now in the testing stage, everybody is welcome to open a free account]
1] go to rsi-now.com to open a new free account. Use “Create new account” link on the page
2] fill out the form to request a new account
3] your free account will be approved within 24 hours but likely much quicker than that. You will receive a confirmation by email with a request to create your password
4] create your password and log in into your account
5] you will see the dashboard. It will show your account statistics
6] on the left you will see the menu where you can navigate between the list of events, the calendar, settings etc.
7] to create a new event click “+ Event” button in the top left-hand corner of your screen. The first time when you do it you will have to create the encryption key to encrypt your information on the server. Follow the instructions on the screen. After that you will be able to create your event.
8] after your event is successfully created, you will see it on the list in the “Events” tab
9] to invite participants to your event, go to the list of events and then open the drop-down menu on the right that says “Make selection” and select “Invite”. The invitation screen will open. It will allow you to copy the link to the event or a code that participants can use to enter your event at https://meet.rsi-now.com/. You can also use our own built in invitation system to invite interpreters, moderators, clients to your new event by email that our system will automatically send.
Note: in the text of the invitation do not modify the information in brackets. It is the information that is going to be inserted into the invitation email automatically.
See our video review of the Admin Console:
For the Technical Moderator/Chief Interpreter/RSI Technician:
Technical Moderators/Chief Interpreters have their own dedicated screen/console in our system. It allows them to see the entire interpretation team and manage it. Technical moderators help interpreters set up and monitor audio quality during the event. It is a safe and secure way to communicate with the interpretation team outside of the main RSI event.
1] receive your moderator/technician link by email and open it in the Chrome browser
2] fill out your name and connect to the console, choose your audio device to listen to the interpreters in ICP
3] use the chat and quick messages to manage the interpretation team. You will be able to send text messages to separate groups for example interpreters only, clients only, other moderators only, everyone, and to a specific booth. Account owners may configure critical preprogrammed messages to be delivered with a warning chime.
4] you will also hear the interpreters in ICP with hearing protection.
5] in the list of interpreters you will be able to see the status of the interpreter microphone, whether they are listening to ICP or whether their chimes are muted.
For the Client:
Currently the client screen functionality is limited to text chat and Quick Messages but it will be developed in future.
Clients also receive a link to enter their dedicated screen and they will be able to chat with the technical moderators and the interpretation team as necessary to report any technical issues and share information. You may use it in order to separate any conversations with the interpretation team from the main event chat.
You can brand the client console with your own company logo.
See more information, tips and best practices in our User Forums
You will be able to create events and send links if you open your free account here: rsi-now.com