Media and Reference Tools
Three tools bring external content and files into the lesson note: Recording captures audio performances or short video demonstrations; the YouTube tool embeds any YouTube video or playlist; and the Attachment tool lets
Recording
The Recording tool captures audio or video directly in the browser. Use Audio for a voice memo, demonstration, or student performance. Use Video for a short visual demonstration such as fingering, posture, bowing, breathing, or hand position.
Recording type — Choose Audio or Video before recording. You cannot change type while a recording is underway or waiting to be saved.
Audio input — Use the microphone selector at the top-right of the recording controls to choose the microphone or audio input you want to use. This setting is available for both Audio and Video because video recordings also include sound. Octavia remembers your choice in this browser. If input names are not visible yet, allow microphone access and they will appear. You cannot change the microphone while recording.
Camera input — In Video mode, use the camera selector beside the microphone selector. A muted camera preview appears as soon as you choose Video, before you start recording. Your microphone is only activated when you click Record video.
Recording — Click Record audio or Record video to start. Audio shows a live waveform; video keeps the live camera preview visible. Click Stop when finished. Audio stops automatically after 30 minutes or at 32 MB. Video stops automatically after one minute or at 12 MB.
Reviewing and saving — Preview the result before saving. A Recording not saved warning remains visible until you click Save recording. If you try to leave the note first, Octavia asks whether you want to stay or leave without saving. Use Retake to discard the preview and record again.
Replacing a recording — Click Replace on a saved recording to make a new one. The original remains saved until the replacement has been uploaded successfully. You can cancel before recording or saving the replacement.
Who can delete — Only teachers can delete a recording. Parents and students see the audio or video player but have no recording, replacement, or delete controls.
Browser compatibility — The tool handles recording-format differences automatically. The exact saved format can vary by browser, but playback is presented through the appropriate audio or video player.
Looping a section for practice — Once a recording is saved, a Set up / open practice button lets you mark out a passage of it with its own loop points and speed for the student to practise against. See Practice Mode (Media Looping).
YouTube Tool
The YouTube tool embeds a video or playlist from YouTube directly in the lesson note.
Adding a video — Paste any YouTube link into the URL field. The tool recognises standard video links, short links (youtu.be), Shorts, embedded links, and playlist links. If a start time or playlist index is included in the link, those are preserved in the embed. Click Save once the link parses correctly.
What appears — Once saved, a full video player is embedded in the note. The student can play, pause, and scrub the video without leaving the note. An Open on YouTube button lets them open the video in a new tab if they prefer. Teachers can update the link at any time by changing the URL and clicking Save again.
Playlists — Playlist links embed the full playlist in the player. If the pasted link includes a specific video within a playlist, the embed opens at that position.
Looping a section for practice — For a single saved video (not a bare playlist with no specific video chosen), a Set up / open practice button lets you mark out a passage of it with its own loop points and speed for the student to practise against. See Practice Mode (Media Looping).
Attachment
The Attachment tool uploads a file into the lesson note. You can attach images, PDFs, audio files, or any other document.
Uploading — Click the attachment block to open a file picker, or drag and drop a file onto the block. Images and PDFs display inline in the note — images render directly, PDFs show a preview. Other file types (Word documents, MIDI files, etc.) appear as a labelled file tile with a download link.
After upload — Files are stored in secure private storage. Links to view or download files are time-limited signed URLs generated at the time of access. The file's name and size are shown in the block.
Reordering — Attachment blocks can be dragged and reordered in the note like other content blocks.
Who can delete — Only teachers can delete an attachment. The delete option is in the block header and requires confirmation.
Looping a section for practice — If the uploaded file is audio or video, a Set up / open practice button lets you mark out a passage of it with its own loop points and speed for the student to practise against. See Practice Mode (Media Looping).
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