Zoom meeting software has fairly impressive audio filtering that is helpful for suppressing background noise during a meeting. However, if you are performing or playing an instrument in the Zoom meeting, these filtering features can negatively impact the audio quality of your performance. This article will go over the optimal audio settings in Zoom for music performance.

Settings

The following steps should be taken prior to joining a meeting:

1. Open the Zoom Preferences (also referred to as Settings).
2. Click on the Audio tab.
3. Ensure you have the desired input source selected in the Microphone dropdown menu.
4. Ensure you have the desired output source selected in the Speaker dropdown menu. It is recommended to use headphones when performing, rather than speakers.
5. Ensure that the checkbox next to Automatically adjust microphone volume is not checked.
6. Under the Audio Profile header, select Original sound for musicians, which will reveal a few additional options if not already selected.
7. If you are using a wired ethernet connection, check the box next to High-fidelity music mode. This setting optimizes Zoom audio for the highest quality music, and can increase CPU usage and consume greater network bandwidth. Therefore, it is not recommended for wireless connections.
8. If you are not using headphones, and are monitoring through speakers—which is not recommended for the best results—make sure the box next to Echo cancellation is checked.
9. If you are using multiple microphones/instruments, performing to a backing track, or processing your audio, you may wish to check the box next to Stereo audio, which will allow your listeners to hear your performance in stereo. Otherwise, it is not advised to have this setting checked, as it can increase CPU usage and consume greater network bandwidth.

In-Meeting

Once you join a meeting, you'll see a button in the top left corner of the Zoom meeting that says Original Sound for Musicians: Off. Click that button, and the text will change to Original Sound for Musicians: On. You'll also briefly see a prompt that says: Original sound for Musicians is on. Noise suppression is disabled. You should then be able to perform without your listeners experiencing any audio filtering issues.