Media and Reference Tools
Three tools bring external content and files into the lesson note: Recording captures or uploads audio and video; the YouTube tool embeds any YouTube video or playlist; and the Attachment tool lets you upload files such
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 has no time limit and stops at 64 MB.
Uploading or reusing a file — Before a Recording is saved, choose Upload to add a supported audio file or MP4 video from your computer, or From library to place a Recording you have already saved in your Resource Library. A library file is reused without making another copy. See Adding and reusing resources to organise resources and use the library picker.
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.
Changing a saved recording — A saved Recording cannot be replaced in place. To use a different recording, delete the Recording tool and add a new one. This keeps the saved file and any Practice Mode setup tied to the same resource.
Who can delete — Only teachers can change or delete a teacher-created Recording. Parents and students can play it, but cannot alter it. On eligible individual lesson notes, students and parents can add recordings through their separate family Recording area; those contributions have their own controls and limits.
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. To reuse a single video you have saved in My Library, choose Insert from Resource Library.
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. A saved YouTube tool cannot be changed in place; delete it and add a new one to use a different link.
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, and other documents. Upload new audio or video through the Recording tool instead.
Uploading — Click the attachment block to open a file picker, or drag and drop a file onto the block. You can also choose Insert from Resource Library to reuse a compatible file you have already saved. 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 — Existing audio or video Attachments still offer Set up / open practice, so you can mark out a passage with its own loop points and speed for the student to practise against. New media files are added through Recording. See Practice Mode (Media Looping).
Adding Files During a Lesson
You do not need to add a file to My Library before using it in a lesson note. Upload it directly into an Attachment or Recording tool when you need it, then save the note. Octavia catalogues the saved file in My Library so you can find and reuse it later.
Octavia also checks for an exact match when you choose a file from your computer. If the same file is already in your library, whether it was added from My Library or another lesson note, Octavia reuses that resource instead of creating a duplicate.
See Adding and reusing resources for the full guide to adding, organising, and reusing resources.
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