Enable overlapping audio in audio settings

[KazuT]

We are a theatre company that's using Zoom in order to rehearse scenes from a play. There are times when two actors will be speaking at the same time and are supposed to overlap one another. The default audio settings in Zoom will prioritize one person's audio so that the second, overlapping person's audio can not be heard. Is there a setting in Audio Settings that enables overlapping audio? Is it "Original sound for musicians"? Or is it "Live performance audio"? The various actors will be in their homes, which are sometimes a little noisy, so it'd be ideal if the default automatic noise cancellation tools that are part of Zoom are not affected.

[storyhub]

Overlapping sound requires disabling Zoom's noise cancellation. So actors need to be in relatively quite spaces, but they can use a noise cancelling mic on a headset. Since noise cancellation will be off all actors need to listen thru earphones - not speakers. And of course for minimum latency you can use "Live performance audio", but compare results with using "Original sound for musicians" since some devices and internet connections may not behave as needed.

[KazuT]

How does each user disable noise cancellation? Do both "Original sound for musicians" and "Live performance audio" disable noise cancellation? If "Echo cancellation" is checked under "Original sound for musicians", can the actors use speakers rather than earphones? I've had "Original sound for musicians" with "Echo cancellation" checked for several months and have never had any issues using speakers.

[storyhub]

"Echo Cancellation" is "noise cancellation". You do have an issue with using speakers, but don't realize it because you have "echo cancellation" on. Speakers feed audio back to the mic and the software will then try to cancel the feedback by cancelling the mic. If the actor is distant from the mic their audio will also be treated as noise. If you are hearing a dead quiet pause between speakers and/or see 32 KHz for the audio frequency instead of 48 KHz in statistics, you do not have the Original sound ON for one of the devices. Turning original sound on is a 2 step process. First, in audio settings. Second, in the upper left corner of the Zoom window or enable original sound on iphone and ipad in the more menu. When original audio is on you should hear background sound from each mic that is on, which you can check by unmuting one at a time. When properly configured you will hear everyone's background sounds.

[KazuT]

So, if I have Original sound on in audio settings, and also enabled in the upper left corner of the Zoom window, and also have "echo cancellation" selected in audio settings, will I be able to hear everyone's background sound, but be able to use speakers instead of headphones because of echo cancellation? Will this enable only myself to hear overlapping dialogue? (In other words, do all the actors also have to have Original sound on in audio settings and enabled in the upper left corner of their Zoom windows?)

[storyhub]

Original sound works only for the MIC of the computer that has it on. Everyone has to use original sound for their MIC and speakers will present feedback problems, especially when everyone's MIC is open at the same time.

[KazuT]

So, in order to do overlapping audio, everyone in the Zoom meeting has to use either "Original sound for musicians" (with echo cancellation off) or "Live performance audio", with everyone in a relatively quiet environment and on a noise cancelling mic on a headset?

[storyhub · Accepted solution]

If you have more than 5 participants ONLY "Original sound for musicians" (with echo cancellation off) will work. Live performance audio is limited to 5 participants. A noise cancelling mic on a headset is ONE OPTION - not the only option. Speakers are a worst choice. Each participant will most likely have different hardware. ONE example is https://www.amazon.com/Headset-Over-Ear-Computer-Headphones-Control/dp/B09B9PCYSS/

One I like is https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mpow-071-USB-Headset-3-5mm-Computer-Headset-Microphone-Noise-Cancelling-L...