This article covers how to install and set up mmhmm on your computer for the first time. Read below to learn more.
Table of contents
- Download and installation
- mmhmm user interface
- Camera selection
- Microphone selection and audio configuration
- Selecting and configuring your green screen
- Connecting to other video conferencing apps
Download and installation
mmhmm desktop for Mac and Windows is currently in beta. To learn more, read mmhmm beta.
- Visit the mmhmm download page and download and run the installer.
- Open the app. You will receive two prompts to enable mmhmm desktop to access your camera and microphone. Click OK on both prompts to enable camera and microphone access:
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You will be prompted to enable mmhmm desktop system extensions. To do this, first click Open Security Preferences which will take you to the the macOS Security & Privacy settings window. System extensions must be enabled for mmhmm desktop to work properly.
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Then, click Allow next to the System software from application "mmhmm desktop" was blocked from loading prompt to enable mmhmm desktop system extensions.
If you've upgraded to macOS 13.0 (Ventura), your System Preferences window will look slightly different:
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Open mmhmm desktop and click on the Sign In button on the top right-hand corner of the window to log in with your mmhmm account.
- Visit the mmhmm download page. Then download and run the installer.
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Open mmhmm desktop and click on the Sign In button on the top right-hand corner of the window to log in with your mmhmm account.
- Visit the mmhmm download page. Then download and run the installer. You will receive a prompt letting you know that the installation was successful.
- Open mmhmm.
mmhmm user interface
Tip: Click on the screenshot below to enlarge it.
| mmhmm TV menu | Show or hide the mmhmm TV left-hand navigation menu. |
| Add slides | Use this panel to create and share slides on mmhmm. |
| On/off air | This label indicates whether or not people can join your room. When people are invited to your room, this label will turn green and say "On air". |
| Invite people | Invite others to your mmhmm recording session. |
| Account settings | Update settings for your mmhmm account. |
| Stage | This is where you will appear on the screen. |
| Microphone toggle | Toggle your microphone. This is where you can also select your mic. |
| Camera toggle | Toggle your camera. This is where you can also select your camera. |
| Help | Learn how to use mmhmm or contact support if you're having trouble. |
| Record | Record your presentation and upload it to mmhmm. |
| Sidebar toggle |
Toggle between the rooms, appearance, and presentations menu. Use the sidebar to change your background by selecting a room, adjust your appearance by adding effects or enabling Big Hands, or |
Tip: Click on the screenshot below to enlarge it.
| Presentations library | Access all of your previously made mmhmm presentations. |
| Tabs | Organize multiple presentations by using tabs. Click here to learn more. |
| Stage | This is where you will appear on the screen. |
| Modes | Switch between Edit, Playback, and Share modes. Click here to learn more. |
| Add slides / scenes | Add slides and scenes to enhance your recording. You can also manage your deleted slides here. |
| Slide tray | Manage and edit your created slides. |
| Record | Record your presentation and upload it to mmhmm. |
| Slide positioning | Have your slides appear over your shoulder or in full screen. You can also choose to turn them off. |
| Slide pagination | Paginate through slides using the arrow buttons. You can also manage your recorded takes here. |
| Invite a friend |
Invite a friend to join mmhmm. |
| Mic + Camera |
Toggle your microphone or camera. This is where you can also select your microphone or camera. |
| New Tab |
Open a new mmhmm presentation. |
| Rooms + Presenter |
Change your background by selecting a room in the Rooms tab, or adjust your appearance by adding effects or enabling Big Hands in the Presenter tab. Click here to learn more. |
| Away + Pointer |
Step away from your computer using the Away button, or use the laser pointer. |
| Opacity |
Adjust your opacity, or how transparent you appear on stage. |
| Scale |
Adjust how big or small you appear on stage. |
| Anchor |
Quickly snap to a corner of the stage by selecting an anchor point. |
| Frame type |
Choose between silhouette, square, or circle frame. |
| Effects |
Effects add an overlay to yourself or your presentation. |
| Big Hands |
Big Hands mode lets you communicate visually over video by identifying specific hand gestures and turning them into giant emojis. |
| Reset Settings |
Reset your settings back to the default. |
| Slide appearance |
Choose your preferred slide design by selecting a slide appearance option from the dropdown. |
Camera selection
In order to begin using mmhmm, you must connect your webcam to mmhmm:
- Click the caret icon next to the Camera button.
- Choose the webcam you’d like to use in the menu that appears.
- Your camera image should appear on the stage where your camera, slides, and backgrounds are displayed.
Microphone selection and audio configuration
If you would like to record your presentation, you will need to connect your microphone input to mmhmm:
- Click the caret icon next to the Microphone button.
- In the list, choose the microphone you’d like to use.
- Test your sound by making some noise and watching the sound input level display. If it moves with the sounds you’re making, you’re good to go.
If you want to use video slides that have their own soundtrack, you must also select mmhmm’s virtual audio as your video conferencing sound input.
Selecting and configuring your green screen
There are two types of green screens in mmhmm: physical and virtual. A physical green screen is a cloth or painted green background, similar to what TV studios use for special effects. A virtual green screen is mmhmm’s way to isolate you from the background of your room to allow those without physical green screens to get professional-looking presentations with mmhmm.
To learn more, read Green screen best practices.
Connecting to other video conferencing apps
Mmhmm is designed to work with a number of video conferencing platforms, such as Zoom and Google Meet, but you need to take steps to connect them first. Read mmhmm compatibility with other video conferencing apps to learn how to do this.
Don’t see the answer to your question? If you’re having technical difficulties or want to suggest a topic for this guide, click here to submit a support ticket or email us at help@mmhmm.app.
