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Unleash Your Audio: Enabling Original Sound in Zoom Like a Pro

So, you’re ready to ditch the robotic Zoom audio and embrace your true, unadulterated sound? You’ve come to the right place. Enabling Original Sound in Zoom allows you to transmit a richer, more nuanced audio experience, crucial for musicians, language tutors, or anyone who values pristine sound quality. Here’s the definitive guide:

How to Enable Original Sound in Zoom?

The process involves tweaking settings both within the Zoom client and during your meeting. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

Open the Zoom Desktop Client: Launch the Zoom application on your computer. Don’t use the web version; you need the full client.
Access Settings: Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
Navigate to Audio Settings: In the Settings window, click on the “Audio” tab.
Enable Original Sound: Look for the option labeled “Show in-meeting option to ‘Enable Original Sound’ from microphone.” Make sure this box is checked. This is the crucial step.
Disable Noise Suppression (Important!): This is critical. Below the “Show in-meeting option…”, you’ll likely see options for “Suppress background noise” with “Auto,” “Low,” “Medium,” and “High” settings. You must set this to “Low” or “Disabled” entirely. Zoom’s noise suppression, while great for reducing unwanted sounds, also butchers the nuances of music and complex audio. Disabling or setting it to “Low” prevents this aggressive filtering.
Disable Echo Cancellation (Conditionally): Look for an option related to Echo Cancellation. Typically, if you’re using headphones or a dedicated microphone, you can disable echo cancellation. However, if you’re relying on your computer’s built-in microphone and speakers, leave this enabled. Experiment to find what works best for your setup. If you hear echoes, re-enable it.
In-Meeting Activation: Once the meeting starts, you’ll see an option at the top left corner of the Zoom window that says “Turn On Original Sound” (or “Turn Off Original Sound” if it’s already on). Click this to toggle it on or off. By default, it will likely be off, so remember to turn it on every meeting where you want it.
Adjust Microphone Levels (Critical): Zoom can sometimes automatically adjust your microphone levels, which can negatively impact your original sound. Within the Audio settings, uncheck the box that says “Automatically adjust microphone volume“. Manually adjust your microphone input level using the slider until your audio is clear and not clipping (distorting).

By following these steps diligently, you’ll unlock the full potential of your audio within Zoom. But that’s not all! Let’s dive into some frequently asked questions to address any lingering doubts or optimize your sound further.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What exactly is “Original Sound” in Zoom, and why should I use it?

“Original Sound” in Zoom aims to transmit the raw, uncompressed audio signal from your microphone to the other participants. Without it, Zoom applies various processing algorithms like noise suppression and echo cancellation, which, while beneficial in noisy environments, can significantly degrade the quality of music, subtle vocal inflections, and other nuanced sounds. If you’re prioritizing audio fidelity over noise reduction, Original Sound is the way to go. Musicians teaching lessons, language instructors correcting pronunciation, and podcasters recording remotely will all benefit.

2. Does everyone in the meeting need to enable Original Sound for it to work effectively?

No. The “Original Sound” setting is client-specific. If you enable it, your audio will be transmitted with less processing to the other participants. They don’t need to enable it on their end to hear the difference in your audio. However, for the best overall experience in a musical setting, for example, it’s beneficial if everyone who is performing or actively speaking enables Original Sound.

3. I’ve enabled Original Sound, but my audio still sounds muffled or distorted. What’s wrong?

Several factors could contribute:

Noise Suppression: Double-check that your noise suppression setting is truly disabled or set to “Low.” Even a slightly aggressive noise suppression algorithm can wreak havoc on audio fidelity.
Microphone Quality: Original Sound will amplify the limitations of a poor-quality microphone. Consider upgrading to a USB microphone or audio interface for superior sound capture.
Microphone Distance: Make sure your microphone is positioned correctly and at the appropriate distance from your mouth. Too far, and it will sound distant; too close, and it can distort.
Input Levels: As stated earlier, manually adjust your microphone input levels in the Zoom audio settings.
Internet Connection: A poor internet connection can introduce artifacts and distortions, even with Original Sound enabled.

4. Will enabling Original Sound increase my bandwidth usage?

Yes, potentially. Transmitting unprocessed audio requires slightly more bandwidth than transmitting heavily compressed audio. However, the increase is usually marginal and shouldn’t be a significant concern unless you have extremely limited bandwidth. Zoom dynamically adjusts bandwidth usage based on network conditions.

5. I’m using headphones. Should I still enable Original Sound?

Generally, yes. Headphones provide isolation, reducing the need for echo cancellation. By enabling Original Sound and disabling echo cancellation (if you’re confident you won’t get feedback), you’ll get the cleanest possible audio.

6. I’m using an external audio interface with multiple microphones. How do I ensure Zoom uses the correct input?

In Zoom’s audio settings, under the “Microphone” section, select the specific audio interface and input channel you want to use. Make sure the selected input corresponds to the microphone you’re actively using. Often, interfaces will be labeled with their brand name (e.g., “Focusrite Scarlett”).

7. Does Original Sound work on mobile devices (iOS and Android)?

Yes, the option to enable Original Sound is also available on Zoom’s mobile apps. The steps are similar: go to Settings -> Meeting -> Use Original Sound. However, the audio quality on mobile devices is generally more limited than on a computer with a dedicated microphone.

8. I can’t find the “Enable Original Sound” option in my Zoom settings. What should I do?

Update Zoom: Ensure you have the latest version of the Zoom desktop client. Outdated versions may lack this feature.
Account Type: While Original Sound is generally available for all account types, including free accounts, sometimes certain features might be restricted based on your plan. Contact Zoom support if you suspect this is the case.
Double-Check: Ensure you are in the Desktop client, not just the Web-based version.

9. How do I test if Original Sound is working correctly?

The best way is to ask another participant in the meeting to listen closely to your audio with Original Sound both enabled and disabled. Sing, play an instrument, or speak using varied vocal inflections. They should notice a significant difference in the clarity and richness of your audio when Original Sound is enabled. Alternatively, record yourself speaking in a zoom meeting and listen back.

10. Is Original Sound suitable for all types of meetings?

Not necessarily. Original Sound is best suited for scenarios where audio quality is paramount. In large meetings with many participants and potential background noise, the benefits of noise suppression might outweigh the gains from Original Sound. Consider the context of your meeting and prioritize accordingly.

11. Can I set Original Sound to be enabled by default for all my meetings?

Unfortunately, no. Zoom does not currently offer an option to permanently enable Original Sound by default. You must manually enable it at the start of each meeting. This is a frequent request, so hopefully, Zoom will add this feature in a future update.

12. What’s the difference between “Original Sound” and “High Fidelity Audio” in Zoom (if available)?

Some Zoom accounts offer a setting called “High fidelity audio,” which is distinct from “Original Sound,” though the terms are often confused. High fidelity audio specifically refers to music mode, which is generally an upgrade over ‘Original Sound’ and will further eliminate processing when it is activated in the meeting. Note that high fidelity audio will use more bandwidth and processor power and is only available on updated versions of the app. Use this if available for best results.

By mastering these settings and understanding the nuances of Zoom audio, you can transform your online interactions from mundane to magnificent. Go forth and let your true sound be heard!