🎧 Zoom Audio Setup on Computer (Zoom v6.6.11) — for Breakout Room Instrument Playing

Best results (highly recommended)

Use headphones/earbuds (wired or Bluetooth). This prevents echo and helps everyone hear instruments more clearly.

1) Before we start: set Zoom audio mode (2 minutes)

Open the Zoom desktop app → Settings (⚙️) → Audio

Microphone modes

Select:

  • ✅ Original sound for musicians

Turn ON these checkboxes under it:

  • ✅ High-fidelity music mode

  • ✅ Stereo audio

Echo cancellation

  • If you are using laptop speakers: ✅ Echo cancellation ON

  • If you are using headphones: Echo cancellation can be OFF (more natural), but ON is totally fineif you’re unsure.

Audio profile (important)

  • Live performance audio: Leave OFF (unless the facilitator asks you to turn it on)
    Note: this can override other mic modes and requires at least two people to enable it in-meeting.

2) In the meeting: turn “Original Sound” ON

Once you’re in the meeting, look in the top bar of the Zoom window (often top-right, sometimes top-left) for Original Sound.

  • Turn it on so it reads: ✅ Original Sound: ON (or “Original Sound for Musicians: ON”)

If you don’t see the button:

  • Click the ^ arrow next to the microphone icon → look for Original Sound for Musicians and turn it ON
    (Or choose Audio Settings and confirm “Original sound for musicians” is selected.)

(This can reset each meeting, so please check it every time.)

3) Quick mic placement (makes a big difference)

  • Put your laptop on a hard surface (desk/table).

  • Aim the mic toward you/instrument.

  • Distance guide:

    • Soft instruments / voice: ~1–2 feet away

    • Louder instruments (drums/shakers): ~3–6 feet away to avoid distortion

4) Breakout room etiquette (so everyone can hear)

  • ✅ Mute when you’re not playing

  • One person plays at a time (unless we’re doing a guided “together” exercise)

  • Keep your volume comfortable (too loud can cause echo/distortion)

Fast troubleshooting

Echo / feedback

  • Switch to headphones

  • If using speakers: keep Echo cancellation ON and lower speaker volume

Sound is choppy/cutting out

  • Confirm ✅ Original Sound ON

  • If your internet is weak: try turning High-fidelity music mode OFF

Distorted/crunchy sound

  • Move farther from the laptop mic (3–6 feet), or play slightly softer