How to Play Music in Zoom Meeting: A Symphony of Digital Connection

In the era of remote work and virtual meetings, Zoom has become a ubiquitous platform for communication. While it excels in facilitating discussions and presentations, many users often wonder how to enhance their Zoom experience by incorporating music. Whether it’s for a virtual party, a background ambiance, or a creative presentation, playing music in a Zoom meeting can add a unique touch. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to play music in Zoom meetings, along with some unconventional yet intriguing ideas to make your virtual gatherings more engaging.

1. Using the Share Screen Feature

One of the most straightforward methods to play music in a Zoom meeting is by utilizing the “Share Screen” feature. Here’s how you can do it:

• Step 1: Open your preferred music streaming service or media player on your computer.
• Step 2: Start your Zoom meeting and click on the “Share Screen” button.
• Step 3: Select the window or application where your music is playing.
• Step 4: Ensure that the “Share computer sound” option is checked. This will allow the audio from your music player to be broadcasted to all participants.

Pro Tip: If you want to share only the audio without showing the screen, you can minimize the music player window after starting the screen share.

2. Using External Audio Devices

If you have a high-quality external audio device, such as a USB microphone or an audio interface, you can route your music through these devices for better sound quality.

• Step 1: Connect your external audio device to your computer.
• Step 2: Open your music player and set the output to the external device.
• Step 3: In Zoom, go to the audio settings and select the external device as your microphone.
• Step 4: Play your music, and it will be transmitted through the external device to the meeting participants.

Note: Ensure that the audio levels are balanced to avoid distortion or feedback.

3. Using Virtual Audio Cables

For more advanced users, virtual audio cables can be a powerful tool to route audio between applications. Software like Voicemeeter or Virtual Audio Cable allows you to create virtual audio devices that can be used to route music directly into Zoom.

• Step 1: Install a virtual audio cable software on your computer.
• Step 2: Configure the software to route the audio from your music player to a virtual output.
• Step 3: In Zoom, select the virtual audio device as your microphone.
• Step 4: Play your music, and it will be transmitted through the virtual audio cable to the meeting.

Advantage: This method allows you to mix multiple audio sources, such as music and your voice, seamlessly.

4. Using a Second Device

If you have a second device, such as a smartphone or tablet, you can use it to play music while sharing the audio through Zoom.

• Step 1: Connect your second device to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.
• Step 2: Start playing music on the second device.
• Step 3: Use a screen mirroring app or a cable to connect the second device to your computer.
• Step 4: Share the screen of the second device in Zoom, ensuring that the audio is also shared.

Tip: This method is particularly useful if you want to play music from a specific app that is not available on your computer.

5. Using Zoom’s Built-in Music Mode

Zoom has a built-in “Original Sound” feature that is optimized for music and other high-fidelity audio. Enabling this feature can significantly improve the quality of the music you play.

• Step 1: In Zoom, click on the arrow next to the microphone icon and select “Audio Settings.”
• Step 2: Under the “Music and Professional Audio” section, enable “Show in-meeting option to ‘Turn On Original Sound’ from microphone.”
• Step 3: During the meeting, click on the microphone icon and select “Turn On Original Sound.”
• Step 4: Play your music, and it will be transmitted with higher fidelity.

Benefit: This feature reduces Zoom’s automatic audio processing, which can sometimes degrade the quality of music.

6. Creative Uses of Music in Zoom Meetings

Beyond the technical aspects, there are numerous creative ways to incorporate music into your Zoom meetings:

• Virtual Background Music: Use music to set the tone for your meeting. For example, play calming music for a brainstorming session or upbeat tracks for a team celebration.
• Interactive Music Sessions: Host a virtual karaoke night or a music trivia game where participants guess the song or artist.
• Music Breaks: Incorporate short music breaks between agenda items to keep the energy high and participants engaged.
• Themed Meetings: Align the music with the theme of your meeting. For instance, play jazz for a creative workshop or classical music for a formal presentation.

7. Legal Considerations

Before playing music in a Zoom meeting, it’s essential to consider the legal aspects. Ensure that you have the right to play the music, especially if the meeting is recorded or involves external participants. Using royalty-free music or obtaining the necessary licenses can help you avoid copyright issues.

8. Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Audio Lag: If participants experience a delay in the music, try reducing the quality of the audio or using a wired connection.
• Echo or Feedback: Ensure that participants mute their microphones when music is playing to prevent echo or feedback.
• Low Volume: Adjust the volume levels on both your music player and Zoom to ensure that the music is audible but not overpowering.

FAQs

Q1: Can I play music from Spotify in a Zoom meeting? A1: Yes, you can play music from Spotify by using the Share Screen feature and ensuring that the “Share computer sound” option is enabled.

Q2: Will playing music in Zoom affect the meeting’s audio quality? A2: It can, depending on the method you use. Enabling Zoom’s “Original Sound” feature and using high-quality audio devices can help maintain good audio quality.

Q3: Is it legal to play copyrighted music in a Zoom meeting? A3: It depends on the context. For personal use in a private meeting, it’s generally acceptable. However, for public or recorded meetings, you may need to obtain the necessary licenses or use royalty-free music.

Q4: Can I play music from my phone in a Zoom meeting? A4: Yes, you can use a second device like a smartphone to play music and share the audio through Zoom by connecting it to your computer or using a screen mirroring app.

Q5: How can I prevent audio lag when playing music in Zoom? A5: To minimize audio lag, ensure that you have a stable internet connection, reduce the audio quality if necessary, and use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi.

By following these methods and tips, you can seamlessly integrate music into your Zoom meetings, creating a more dynamic and enjoyable virtual experience for all participants. Whether you’re hosting a virtual party, a creative workshop, or simply want to set the right mood, music can be a powerful tool to enhance your Zoom meetings.