How to use MLO in your Lodge or Chapter

So How to use MLO in your Lodge or Chapter will be the focus of this post. It stands to reason that some have asked “how do I use it or what will I need.” I’ll try and address these questions and more in this post.

First MLO is designed so you don’t need anything extra but a PC/laptop/Tablet or smartphone to play music during our meetings or degrees, etc. Albeit a Smart phone’s speakers are not very loud for even a small Lodge room. So lets talk about how to use MLO in  your Lodge or Chapter.

So the question I would ask is, “Does your Lodge have a PA system to at least a set of computer speakers?” This is usually enough. One user even related that he connected his Smart Phone to a Bluetooth wireless speaker and this did the trick. It may not have been optimal or perfect but the candidates and members present noticed a difference.

OK in my Lodge here’s what I have.

1. A PA system connected to several speakers in the ceiling (only half of which work, but that’s another story).
2. A speaker cable mini jack to headphone jack you can pick up in any audio supply or radio shack. See links below for examples.
3. my Windows Surface tablet.

I connect the one end of the cable (the mini jack) to the tablet and the other end input into the mic or aux jack of the PA system. I turn the volume of the tablet to 100% and control the volume via the PA volume control.

Logon to MLO and go to the playlists and just click on what I need to play. It’s really that easy. This also assumes that you have internet access or wireless access in your Lodge or via public wi-fi.

One member also relayed a story that they had and old PC on the Secretary’s desk that had internet access. All they did is connect the PC’s speaker output to the PA system the Secretary uses and Voila! Of course the Secretary was none too happy about doing double duty…

Now if your Lodge does not have a PA system I would recommend getting one. You can find portable ones on sale easily. A good speaker makes the experience better. One thing I have also done is run a cable to the opposite side of where the PA system is so I can sit at the Organ in our Lodge and it makes the Brothers present really feel that an Organist is playing during the ceremony.

So with the investment of a few bucks you can have an organist that can play in your lodge anytime and with no musical ability required. How Awesome is that!

Some links to the parts I described above here:

The cable I use to connect my table to the PA system

A example portable PA system

The important part is that you have music and that it’s not of poor quality. As mentioned earlier a few dollars spend could make a big difference. Some newer organs actually have a component connection port and will allow some types of files, like MP3s and midi files to be played directly through the organ itself. If you have this, I recommend using this port. The organ speakers are usually superior to any PA or portable speakers anyway.

Whatever the case please don’t hesitate to contact MLO staff and ask questions about MLO’s use or connections. We’ll try and answer right away and help you to have regular music playing in your Lodge or Chapter.