Linux Mint - Zoom intereferes with output volumes of other programs
I'm trying to use Zoom on Linux Mint (Ubuntu based) for vocal lessons.
Within that, I need to hear the following outputs from my computer:
1. An audio player (e.g. VLC)
2. Voice monitor script (pacmd 'module-loopback' module)
3. The other party (Zoom).
I have volume controls for all of these, so I can hear them properly. All that is pretty robust and works fine, as long as I don't start the Zoom meeting.
When starting a Zoom meeting, seemingly especially when sharing a screen with audio, Zoom appears to create this virtual composite audio output device and enable it.
That lowers other programs volume so I can't hear those properly, and then I can't even increase those volumes.
When switching away from that composite device, Zoom continues to work fine, but the audio player pretty much blasts my ears off (because I naturally try to increase its volume beforehand), while the voice monitor remains very low / effectively unusable.
Is there a way to set up Zoom so that it minds its own business, i.e. just use the needed audio channels without creating virtual devices, touching other program volumes, etc., etc.?