Zoom Software in Music Mode – Best Audio Settings

Time needed: 10 minutes.

These are the steps you need to follow to optimise the audio settings in Zoom Conference Software

1. Install the Zoom Client For Meetings Software (or Mobile App)

   If possible, use your desktop computer or laptop and install the Zoom software – available from the download section on zoom.us. Alternatively, or additionally, you can install the Zoom Mobile App on iOS or Android

2. Internet Connection

   Position yourself as close as possible to your router for best Wi-Fi, or even better, connect to your router with an ethernet cable

3. Shut Down Background Apps

   Shut down all other apps and disable notifications to avoid distractions. This will also allow Zoom to run as efficiently as possible

4. Connect Up Your Microphone/Interface

   If possible, use an external usb microphone or audio interface and mic for the best audio signal

5. Access Zoom Settings

   Start up the Zoom Client on your desktop, and then open up the settings by clicking the gear icon.

6. Choose Audio

   Click on the Audio Tab

7. Select the correct Speaker and Microphone

   The microphone is the device you will be speaking and playing into, the speaker is where you will hear the sound of your student or collaborator.

8. Get Control of Your Volume

   Uncheck the ‘Automatically adjust microphone volume’ so that you can control the volume of your microphone.

9. Access Advanced Audio Settings

   Click the ‘Advanced’ Button to access the additional audio settings.

10. Enable Original Sound

    Make sure you enable ‘Show in-meeting option to “Enable Original Sound” from microphone. This will turn off what Zoom calls ‘enhancements’ such as noise suppression and echo cancellation. These so-called enhancements are good for conference situations where you may have unwanted noise from air conditioning fans, chairs scraping etc, but when you are trying to play music, they make your audio signal chop in and out.

11. Disable Background Noise

    I also like to disable both the background noise options rather than leave them on Auto.

12. Use Computer Audio

    When you begin a new meeting choose ‘Join with Computer Audio’

13. Check You Are Using Original Sound

    You should see a message in top left that says “Turn Off Original Sound”. This actually means that you ARE using your original sound. You can click the down arrow to check which device you are using.

14. You Can Check Audio Settings From Within Meeting

    At any point during your Meeting you can check out the audio settings by clicking the up arrow next to the mic. You can check which devices you are using, you can test the audio, and you can access the Audio Settings.

15. Zoom Mobile App Settings

    If you are using a mobile device, Open up the Zoom app, click the Settings gear icon.

16. Select Meetings

    Select the Meetings … option from the Settings pop-up window

17. Scroll Down to ‘Use Original Sound’

    Scroll down through the Meeting Settings to the option to “Use Original Sound”, and slide on to activate. The mobile device will then turn off the noise cancellation settings that disrupt audio.

18. Tell Your Students/Collaborators

    Make sure your students or music collaborators know about the audio set-up in Zoom too!