[Zoom] How to Share DAW Audio with Participants!

Today, I will explain how to share DAW audio with participants in a Zoom meeting. By setting this up, it becomes possible to share DAW audio in real-time with the participants of a Zoom meeting while listening to it through your own audio interface.

Zoom seems to be expanding towards musicians and the music industry, so I hope to share this information while wishing for the industry’s future development. If you are in the same industry, please consider this as a reference.

Please note that all procedures are to be carried out at your own risk.

Sharing Method

This time, I will explain a general sharing method. Please note that this assumes you own equipment used in DTM (Desktop Music).

Steps for Sharing

• Change the input and output of DAW to “Zoom Audio Device” or “Windows Audio”
• Set Zoom’s input and output to the audio interface
• Activate the original sound
• Enable “Original Sound: On” displayed at the top left of the Zoom meeting screen
• Press “Share Screen” displayed at the bottom center of the Zoom meeting
• Check “Share Sound” displayed at the bottom left of the screen and share the screen

Step1: Change DAW Input and Output to “Zoom Audio Device” or “Windows Audio”

First, start your DAW and access “Preferences” or similar settings to change the audio device, such as the audio interface. Note that the name of this setting varies depending on the DAW.

After starting, change the input and output of your DAW to “Zoom Audio Device” or “Windows Audio”. For Mac users, if it does not show up, perform “Step 5” and “Step 6” – “Share Screen” and “Share Sound” once, and “Zoom Audio Device” should appear in the DAW’s audio device selection.

Unless your machine or OS is very old, restarting should make it appear.

Step2: Set Zoom’s Input and Output to the Audio Interface

Next, let’s look at Zoom’s settings. When you open “Audio” in the settings, you can select “Microphone” and “Speaker”, and thus the input and output.

Here, your own audio interface is the best choice.

For those using a Windows PC with a built-in microphone or speaker, be aware that there are individual differences in machines and environments.

Step3: Activate the Original Sound

Click on the Audio tab and check the box for “Original Sound for Musicians”. Then, check the boxes for “High Fidelity Music Mode” and “Echo Cancellation” displayed below.

If your machine becomes sluggish, it might be better to turn off “High Fidelity Music Mode” in some cases.

Step4: Turn on ‘Original Sound’ Displayed at the Top Left of the Zoom Meeting Screen

Finally, in the Zoom meeting, change the setting from “Original Sound for Musicians: Off” at the top left of the screen to “On”.

This setting will disable noise cancellation and the limiter.

Step5: Press ‘Share Screen’ Displayed at the Bottom Center of the Zoom Meeting

When you enter a Zoom meeting, the option to “Share Screen” appears at the bottom center of the screen.

Step6: Check ‘Share Sound’ Displayed at the Bottom Left of the Screen and Share the Screen

When you click on “Share Screen”, you will be asked which screen to share. At this point, check “Share Sound” displayed at the bottom left of the screen.

The appropriate screen to share is either “Desktop 1” or “Screen”. The sound will be shared together with the screen sharing.

Points to Note When Sharing Audio

I will note some points to be aware of when making the settings described above.

Main Points to Note

1. If you change the input and output of the DAW to “Zoom Audio Device” or “Windows Audio”, you will not hear the DAW’s sound from the audio interface unless you perform “Share Screen” and “Share Sound” in Zoom.
2. If you don’t use Zoom’s original sound, the DAW’s audio might get affected by noise cancellation and limiters.
3. Turning on the original sound may also pick up ambient noise in the room.
4. Depending on the audio interface, it may not be possible to share the sound from the DAW.

Enjoy your DTM life!

Reference Video