Suitable For Phone/Tablet On iOS Or Android System
Zoom was initially intended for use in business environments and by default uses software to suppress unwanted intermittent or persistent background noises – unfortunately as musicians we often want to hear those ‘unwanted’ noises!
There isn’t as much flexibility in the app version of Zoom so if you want greater control over your sound and improved audio quality then consider using a laptop or computer (read our help article here). That said, there are some small but significant changes we can make to optimise the app for music-making purposes on your phone or tablet!
To get started ensure you have downloaded the Zoom app from the app store onto your device and register for a free account.
Audio Settings
Once you’ve opened the app, here’s what to do:
SELECT the ‘Settings’ tab in the bottom-right corner.
SELECT ‘Meeting’ from the categories.
TOGGLE OFF ‘Always Mute My Microphone’ and ‘Always Turn Off My Video’ so that when you join a meeting you are ready to go immediately. By default it has both audio and video turned off so that you can choose to activate them in the meeting – this can sometimes just be confusing and make you think it’s not working.
Here’s the important one:
TOGGLE ON ‘Use Original Sound’. This will ensure that you send your original sound to your correspondent without Zoom attempting to suppress background noises.
It’s that simple! This should give you the best music-making experience online when using Zoom on your phone or tablet. Ensure your wifi signal is strong and that you are close to your router for best results. I’d also recommend using headphones or connecting your device to a bluetooth speaker for the best audio experience.
Good luck and see you in the virtual world!
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