Configuring Audio for Best Sound

Changing a few settings in Zoom will pay big dividends in improved sound quality.  And it is not hard to do.  If you are not very technical, and these instructions sound dense, don't be discouraged.

Begin by joining the Zoom Test Meeting.  Just enter this URL in your browser's address bar: https://zoom.us/test . Or, if you are already on the Zoom web site you can click the "Test Zoom" link on the page footer.

On Personal Computers (PC or Mac)

After you join and do the initial audio test, click the up caret next to the microphone icon.  If you have more than one mic, make sure that the one you want to us is listed under "Select a Microphone",  If it is not checked, click to select it. Now select “Audio Settings…” from the menu.

On this screen, the option “Automatically adjust volume” must be un-checked.
You may want to adjust your mic volume.  Click “Test Mic” to see how it sounds.

After that, click the “Advanced” button.  This might not be available on some devices such as phones or pads, another reason to use a Windows or Mac desktop or laptop if you can.  On the next screen set these three options:

  • The checkbox “Show in-meeting option to “Enable Original Sound” from microphone” should be checked.
  • Select “Disable” for “Suppress Persistent Background Noise”
  • Select “Disable for “Suppress Intermittent Background Noise”

Later, if you want to go back to the original settings, you can click “Restore Defaults”

Close the settings screen and you should see a little button in the upper left corner labeled “Turn off Original Sound”.
This means that original sound is ON, which is what we want. You can click to change it later if you wish.

Here is a YouTube video that explains all of this:
https://youtu.be/t6f3e-Rt32g

On Mobile Devices (iOS or Android)

For mobile devices, you'll need to set up your Zoom account.  A basic account is free but has some limitations on any meetings you host yourself.

If you haven't already done so, install the Zoom mobile app from your app store.  Before you begin, you can create an acount using the app or on https://zoom.us/signup

Before joining the meeting you need to enable the "Preserve Original Sound" option.  Start the Zoom app and log in with your new account credentials.

Tap the settings icon.

Select "Meeting" settings.

Tap the toggle to Use Original Sound.

 After the option has been selected, you can join your meeting. Then you can...

Tap More.

 

Tap Enable Original Sound.