Zoom is automatically optimized for speech – so we need to make some changes in the settings in order to make sure that default settings don’t interfere with musical sounds. Tone quality, dynamic variation, and other elements of sound will otherwise be considered “background noise” in the context of Zoom’s more common priority – speech. (September 13, 2020 update: you may wish to check my blog entry with updated settings info here).
(Quick list, September 13 update: 1) Once updated, go to Audio settings; 2) UNcheck Automatically adjust microphone settings; 3) Set “Suppress background noise” to low; 4) Click “Advanced”; 5) Check the box to “Enable Original Sound”; 6) Check the box for “Hi fidelity music mode”; 7) IF you have external mic and headphones, consider checking “Disable echo cancellation” Note that the section below refers to versions prior to 5.2. Additional info below the short list may be helpful if you’re not, and here’s the updated version with photos – including iPad settings)
Before your Zoom lesson, you’ll want to do the following – described in detail below and with photos – but here’s a quick check list (9/13 update: mostly for older versions of Zoom prior to 5.2, but you may wish to check it over):
- Adjust your audio settings:
- Disable “Automatically adjust volume”
- In advanced audio tab:
- “Enable Original Sound”
- Disable “Suppress Persistent Background Noise”
- Disable “Suppress Intermittent Background Noise”
- Check the bulleted list near the bottom of the page for preparing your computer
- Read the blog post “Preparing for Your Online Flute Lesson” for additional thoughts
There are two places you can access settings – on the web (as in the first photo) and on the downloaded Zoom, as in the second photo, if you have a device that is able to download Zoom.
If you are having a Zoom flute lesson on a PC, or other device that allows you to download, you’ll want to download Zoom so that you can access audio settings prior to your lesson.
Next, you’ll want to open the settings – see the purple arrow by the gear icon in the upper right of the photo below.
Once you click on the “Settings” gear, you’ll see the full options below. Click on Audio – by the second purple arrow – on the left.
Next, in the box that appears, UNcheck the box in the middle of the screen labeled “Automatically adjust volume.”
Next, click the Advanced button in the bottom right.
Then check the box by “Show in-meeting options to “Enable Original Sound.”
Finally, choose the “disable” option next to both “Supress Persistent Background Noise” and “Suppress Intermittent Background Noise.”
Once you’ve adjusted your settings, please keep the following in mind on the day of your lesson or recital:
- restart your computer 30-60 minutes before the lesson or recital (a restart can really work wonders at times!)
- make sure you close any tabs you may open after the restart – or better yet, just plan to not use the computer in between the restart and the lesson
- if you’re on a laptop, plug into the ethernet directly if possible
- make sure no one else in the house is using the internet at the same time
- make sure you click the box in the top left labeled “Turn on Original Sound” before you start – in the upper left corner of the screen – see photos below
- If you have good headphones, that can help improve your listening quality; likewise a separate mic can help – but I know most people don’t have one – so no worries
Left – the writing will be in white before you turn on original sound – and will say “turn on original sound.” Right – if blue and say’s “turn off original sound), your original sound is on.
Below: sharing enthusiasm for the minor scale in a Zoom flute lesson!
