Get Better Audio on Zoom Calls with AUDIO4c

Zoom - More than Video Conferencing?

Can you imagine a world without Zoom calls? It seems crazy doesn’t it, just how quickly Zoom calls have become part of our day to day lives. Most of us have used Zoom on a laptop to make a quick video conference call with friends.

What if you want to use Zoom for more than just basic video conferencing though? What if you have multiple audio sources? What if you’re trying to stream a music performance or a DJ set over Zoom?

Overcoming Zoom’s Limitations

Like most video conferencing solutions, Zoom has an intrinsic design limitation: it only permits a stereo audio input. Now, if all you’re doing is making a voice call using your laptop’s built-in mic, that isn’t going to be an issue!

The problem comes when you have more than two channels of audio. Got a conference call with four people and four mics? Trying to stream an acoustic performance? What if you’re doing a DJ set off your laptop and want to talk to your audience?

The Messy Way

Up until now, you’ve probably only had two options for overcoming Zoom’s limitations:

Use an external mixer. Functionally this will work, up to a point, but you’ll need to buy a mixing desk and a sound card. You’ll also be struggling to merge the audio from computer applications such as your DJ software, mainstage etc.

Software audio rewire apps. Urrrghhh, boy are these things messy! Yes, they’ll work, but again, you’re probably going to need an external mixing desk for multiple system inputs. It’s also very difficult to successfully balance and mix all your sources and levels.

Ewww, what a headache!

Enter AUDIO4c and Auracle for X-Series

Thankfully, there’s a better way! Use the AUDIO4c audio/MIDI interface along with its partner control software, Auracle for X-Series.

By now, you probably already know all about the myriad connection capabilities of the AUDIO4c. If you don’t, check out our blog on the AUDIO4c’s analog connections.

Auracle for X-Series is your magic problem solver, allowing you to route and mix multiple inputs simultaneously to Zoom. Take audio from two computing devices, multiple audio inputs, and then inject them straight into Zoom’s stereo audio stream.

Even better than that, Auracle for X-Series lets you combine your system audio, with your other inputs. That means you’ll never need to use those messy software re-wire programs again! All rejoice!

Creating a Headphone Mix

There’s an additional benefit to using AUDIO4c for your Zoom calls; the ability to create a custom headphone mix! Using the headphone mix functionality in Auracle for X-Series, you can create a separate headphone mix.

Simply plug your headphones into the AUDIO4c’s headphone output, and you can create a custom headphone mix. In this way, you can create a mix that only you will hear. Now you can enjoy studio-style monitoring on your Zoom calls. Neat eh?

But wait! There’s More!

Let’s say you’re doing a presentation or a webinar over Zoom. Perhaps you might want to play some opening music while people are waiting? Maybe you might have a phone-in guest you’d like to incorporate into the webinar?

Well, that’s all possible too, thanks to AUDIO4c’s multiple device connection ports. Simply connect your tablet or smartphone to a spare USB Device Port. You can now stream audio between connected devices and incorporate it into your Zoom call.

Bringing Studio Quality to Zoom

Hopefully, after reading through this blog and watching Will’s excellent video guide below, you’ll have a better idea of what’s now possible when using your AUDIO4c with Zoom.

As ever, if you have any detailed questions, our tech support team is here to help. In the meantime, happy zooming!