Zoom has become the platform of choice for everything from business meetings to virtual dance parties. With the ability to share computer audio, you can now stream music directly into your Zoom sessions.
Whether you want background tunes for a workshop, soundtracks for your virtual events, or to sing karaoke with friends, sharing music on Zoom is easy once you learn the steps.
Key Statistics on Zoom Meeting Features
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Over 44% of daily Zoom meeting participants use virtual backgrounds and 39% share their on-screen content according to Zoom data. This showcases the popularity of elevated meeting features.
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Music streaming giant Spotify reported a 13% increase in total hours streamed during March – May 2020 when many Zoom meetings began. This correlates to a rise in music played during online hangouts.
Share Computer Audio to Play Music
The easiest way to play music in Zoom doesn‘t require screen sharing. You simply enable sharing your "computer audio" which means any sounds played on your device get fed directly into the Zoom call.
To share computer audio:
- Start or join a Zoom meeting
- Click the "Share Screen" button at the bottom toolbar
- Select the "Advanced" tab
- Check the box for "Share computer sound"
- Click "Share"
Once enabled, any audio file you play or music streaming service on your computer will be shared to the Zoom call in real time. Participants will hear your audio through their speakers.
This method doesn‘t show your actual screen. It only shares the music and audio playing on your computer.
Legal Considerations for Playing Music
Before streaming a Spotify playlist or your favorite songs to a Zoom meeting, it helps to understand the legal aspects:
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Public performance copyright – playing music aloud during digital gatherings technically requires a license, even if no money is exchanged, under U.S. copyright law.
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Royalties organizations including ASCAP, BMI and SESAC handle licensing public performances and collecting associated fees to compensate artists.
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Live-streaming music platforms like Twitch rely on performance rights licenses to legally play music within their terms of service.
While Zoom itself claims no responsibility, meeting hosts should educate themselves and make good faith efforts to comply with relevant music licensing laws. This may include paying vendors like Soundtrack Your Brand for commercial use rights.
Play Music While Screen Sharing
You can also play tunes while screen sharing by following similar steps:
- Start a Zoom meeting
- Click "Share Screen"
- Choose the desktop or app you want to share
- Go to the "Advanced" tab
- Check "Share computer sound"
- Click "Share"
Now when you play a track off Spotify, Apple Music or another service, participants will see your shared screen and hear the synced audio. This works great for playlists and music videos!
Adjust In-Meeting Audio Settings
Zoom offers several audio controls that can improve sound quality for playing music:
Stereo vs. Mono
Stereo sound uses two channels (left and right) to provide a dynamic audio feed – like hearing instruments across a stage. Mono combines signals into a single channel, sometimes perceived as "flat". Stereo provides clearer definition for the melodies, vocals and harmonies in music playback.
Echo Cancellation
Microphone echo can introduce distorted "copies" of sounds that interfere with your audio quality. Echo cancellation removes these duplicate signals to deliver clearer sound.
Original Sound
Zoom‘s audio enhancement features including automatic gain control and noise suppression help minimize background noise on calls. But these can reduce music clarity. Toggling "original sound" disables any alterations so your audio plays unchanged.
High Fidelity Music Mode
Hi-fi boosts Zoom‘s maximum audio resolution from 32 kbps up to 192 kbps for near CD-quality sound. Coupled with echo cancellation to sharpen clarity, it provides cleaner playback for shared music.
Take a moment before sharing computer audio to optimize these settings under the Zoom Audio tab. It can make a big difference for your sound quality!
Linking Music Streaming Accounts
For direct music integration into meetings, Zoom allows you to connect your streaming accounts like Spotify and Pandora.
To link a music account:
- Click the up arrow next to "Share Screen"
- Select "Advanced Sharing Options"
- Click "Music Streaming" under resources
- Connect to one or more services
Once linked, you can access these accounts from screen share to seamlessly play songs through Zoom‘s audio channels.
Some music services may require installing a secondary audio driver on your system for full integration. Test connectivity beforehand to troubleshoot any playback issues.
Optimizing Your Computer and Room Setup
A few quick pro tips to take your shared music to the next level:
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Use a USB microphone or external speakers to provide fuller sound compared to built-in laptop mics and speakers which often pick up unwanted noise.
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Soundproof your environment by closing windows and doors to reduce echo and ambient noises that can muddy your music playback.
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Position your mic closer to speakers pointing toward you so it directly captures the audio output with minimal interference.
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Adjust EQ settings on your media player or system audio panel to balance treble and bass for optimal clarity across vocal ranges.
With some tweaks to your computer as well as physical set up, your Zoom jam sessions will sound fantastic!
Use Cases for Shared Music in Zoom
Creative ways businesses, educators, entertainers and friends can utilize Zoom‘s music sharing features:
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Virtual Dance Parties: DJs can mix playlists and react to requests from the call chat in real-time to keep the music pumping!
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Online Fitness Classes: Instructors can set the tempo with fast-paced songs to motivate students through intense workouts.
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Music Lessons: Teachers can demonstrate techniques then have students play along with shared backing track accompaniments.
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Virtual Events: Conference organizers and event planners can use themed entrance/exit music to emulate the energy of in-person gatherings.
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Social Hangouts: Friends can queue up favorite songs YouTube dance clips for virtual listening parties.
Set some guidelines upfront around volume levels and muting to avoid potential issues. But otherwise, get creative with weaving shared tunes into engaging Zoom experiences!
Recap: Key Takeaways
Sharing your computer‘s audio is an easy way to play music during Zoom meetings. Follow the steps to start streaming songs right from your device into any video call!
Enable original sound and reduce echo for premium quality. And don‘t forget to adjust microphone and speaker settings so your audio comes through crisp and clear.
Review music licensing rules and use legitimate streaming platforms whenever playing songs out loud to groups.
Now get ready to enjoy your favorite tunes together in your next virtual hangout on Zoom!
