✨ Please note: The Zoom integration is available on the Lite plan or above.
Music can enhance the experience of your online event, but it’s important to balance background tracks with your voice so attendees hear you clearly. Adjusting your Zoom audio settings helps prevent common issues where your microphone picks up both your speech and the music.
This article explains how to set up and manage audio settings in Zoom so you can play music while speaking during your online event.
Zoom settings
💡 To avoid feedback, make sure the music you share with your attendees comes through your device, not the microphone you’re using to speak.
To do this:
Join the Zoom call before your attendees arrive, if possible. Then, select Share screen.
The location of the Share screen button may vary depending on how you access Zoom.
Open the Advanced tab and select Music or Computer sound only.
💡 To note: Changing this setting won’t mute your microphone, but it will share any sounds, including music, that are playing on your device, along with your mic audio.
Music player settings
With your Zoom settings adjusted, simply start playing the music you wish to include in your class. You can use a streaming service of your choice (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music) or play directly from a CD or file, but it must be through the device you're using for your Zoom call.
If you're unsure about the settings, you can play a track as you introduce your event and check if others can hear it. If it's too loud, adjust the volume within the app (rather than through your device's volume settings or any external stereo/speaker).
Once your class is over, remember to stop the music via your music player app—removing your headphones will work for you but not everyone else on the call!
💡 To note: By law, you must have the correct license to play music in any public environment, whether online or offline. Make sure you have the necessary rights to use the music in your event before it begins. For a method that doesn’t require a license, refer to the section on 'Alternative music sharing methods.'
Headphones
If you’ve shared your device’s audio through your Zoom settings, your microphone doesn’t need to pick up the music for your attendees to hear it. This will improve your audio quality as the microphone won’t capture the music.
If possible, connect Bluetooth headphones (or wired ones, if it’s safe for you to use them) to your computer. This way, you can listen to the music through the headphones while ensuring your microphone only picks up your voice.
Other troubleshooting tips
Use an external microphone
An external microphone is preferable if possible. For the best results, position it as close to you as possible, the sound source.
Control the volume of the microphone
You can adjust the microphone volume through your device settings to ensure your voice is louder in the sound mix. The method to do this varies depending on your device—searching ‘how to increase the volume of the mic on your device’ should help you find the right guidance.
Improve your environment
Make sure the space where you're recording has minimal ambient noise and no echo. Rooms with hard surfaces tend to cause reverberation, so aim for a room with soft surfaces like carpets and rugs.
Make sure your attendees are muted
This is especially important if you're not using headphones. Any sound from attendees can be picked up by your microphone and played back to everyone.
Alternative music-sharing methods
You can share your playlist before the event starts and have everyone press play at the same time you begin. Most music streaming services offer sharing options with various ways to deliver your playlist:
Spotify example
Select the three dots at the top of your playlist on Spotify, Share, then Copy link to playlist:
You can add the playlist to the Booking confirmation message field so that customers automatically receive the link once they book their ticket.
Advantages 👍
By sharing the link instead of playing it for all, you avoid licensing issues, as each person plays their own music.
Attendees can control the volume of the music versus your instruction to suit their environment.
Disadvantages 👎
Syncing everyone to the same point in the song can be challenging.
Each attendee needs to access the platform you're using to share the playlist.
Many streaming services offer free, ad-supported versions, but ads can disrupt the flow and cause some attendees to lose sync.
You might need to create the same playlist on multiple platforms to ensure accessibility for all attendees.
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