Additional Zoom Settings for Music Lessons
Here are some options if you are experiencing some audio issues with your lessons. These settings are only for computers, not for smartphones or tablets, unfortunately.)
Try to make these changes to your settings. If you don’t see these settings, you will need to update your Zoom software (if you just recently downloaded zoom for the first time, you will be good).
Log into your Zoom room
Find the Advanced Audio Settings Panel
Optimal Settings for Music Lessons
The the advanced panel, mark the settings as follows:
- Show in-meeting option to “Enable Original Sound” from microphone – Checked*
- Suppress Persistent Background Noise – Disabled
- Suppress Intermittent Background Noise – Disabled
- Echo Cancellation – Auto
*In addition to being enabled, Original Sound needs to be switched on in the video window, explained in the 3rd step below.
Enabling Original Sound
Checking the box for Original Sound in the advanced settings panel will give you the ability to enable it on the video window, but it comes switched off.
Switch it on, and you’re good to go!
(It’s good to keep an eye on it from time to time in case it switches off by itself)
These settings should prevent Zoom from filtering out musical sounds that it might consider as “background noise.”
Why Does Music Not Sound Good on Zoom?
Music often doesn’t sound good on Zoom meetings due to several technical factors related to how the platform processes audio.
1. Audio Compression
Zoom compresses audio to prioritize clarity for speech. This compression removes many of the nuances and dynamics that make music sound rich and full, leading to a flat and tinny sound.
2. Background Noise Suppression
Zoom’s noise suppression features are designed to eliminate background sounds, which can interpret musical notes or instruments as noise. This can cause certain parts of the music to be cut out or sound distorted.
3. Low Sample Rate
The audio sample rate on Zoom is optimized for voice, not for high-fidelity music. This results in a limited frequency range, cutting out higher and lower frequencies that are critical to the richness of music.
4. Latency and Lag
Even slight delays in audio transmission can disrupt the synchronization of music, making it sound disjointed, especially in live performance or ensemble settings.
5. Echo Cancellation
Zoom uses echo cancellation to prevent feedback during conversations. For music, this can interfere with how overlapping tones and harmonies are heard.
How to Improve Music Quality on Zoom:
If you’re sharing music during a Zoom meeting, you can take steps to improve the audio experience:
- Enable Original Sound: This feature allows Zoom to preserve the original sound from your microphone, bypassing noise suppression and echo cancellation.
- Go to Settings > Audio > Check “Enable Original Sound for Musicians.”
- Adjust Advanced Audio Settings:
- Disable “Suppress Background Noise.”
- Enable “High Fidelity Music Mode.”
- Use a wired connection for better bandwidth.
- Use External Microphones and Audio Interfaces: High-quality equipment can help capture and transmit sound more faithfully.
- Share Music Directly: If playing a recording, use the “Share Screen” function and select the “Share Sound” option to play audio directly from your computer.
Learn more about music lessons at Rogers School of Music. We serve communities North Twin Cities.