Music Teacher’s Audio Being Suppressed

[Macs66]

Hi folks,

Windows 11 and Zoom (6.2.0)both on latest versions, both on teacher’s system and my own. I am on ASUS Laptop around a year old.

Original sound for musicians both enabled. He can hear me play without any issue, however I cannot hear him clearly. Within a few notes it sounds as though noise suppression kicks in and I hear nothing of his playing. I am not playing along with him and there is no speaking while he/I play. I am using computer audio. We have tried every combination of both Zoom options and Windows system options without success. It feels as though there is something very basic awry. We continued the lesson utilising my iPhone iOS 17.6.1 with full functionality both sides. 

Any guidance would be most gratefully received. Many thanks in advance👍🏻

[Macs66 · Accepted solution]

Sometimes….just..sometimes, the easiest answer is the last to hove into view. 
Uninstalled. Reinstalled. Works🤷🏻‍♂️.

Many thanks for the time taken, I apologise for my lack of blue sky

thinking🤔 .

[sam30 · Accepted solution]

It sounds like you're facing a frustrating audio issue during your Zoom lessons on your ASUS laptop. Since your teacher can hear you clearly, but you struggle to hear them due to what seems like noise suppression, there are a few steps you can take. First, ensure that both Zoom and your Windows audio settings have the "Original Sound" feature enabled, which you've done. Check your audio input and output settings in Zoom to confirm they're correctly configured to use your laptop's speakers. You might also want to adjust the audio settings in Windows, such as disabling any enhancements or effects that could interfere with the sound. If possible, try using headphones to see if that improves clarity. Additionally, consider checking for updates for both Windows and Zoom, as software updates can sometimes resolve such issues. If the problem persists, using your iPhone as a backup is a good solution, but reaching out to Zoom support might provide further insights into specific settings or compatibility issues.

[stueker]

Hello @Macs66 ,

In general, if both users have original sound enabled, but you cannot hear your teacher (while the teacher hears you) the problem probably might very well be with your teacher's computer/laptop/device.

Different hardware vendors have noise suppression, beam-forming or other audio processing technology enabled on their audio recording hardware. And this is outside Zoom's control.

When you say, you are now working with your iPhone, what hardware is your teacher using? Are you both using an iPhone now? Or is the teacher continuing to use his regular hardware, but suddenly you can hear him, even though he continues to use the same hardware?

[Macs66]

Hi,

Thank you for your input and interest.

Teacher continued using his regular hardware and I could hear him exactly as I’d expect using my laptop. I’m not sure what his hardware is, I could ask him and update when I receive his reply.

[stueker]

That sounds like a strange condition. So, to summarize:
The hardware that you are using seems to determine whether you can hear your teacher or not.

If you could provide more information on the hardware used and could verify the settings and give as much details on the audio settings as possible, that would be very helpful.

[Macs66]

Hi,

Audio appears to be utilising Realtek(R) Audio, speakers and microphone. Speakers; Audio: Allow apps and Windows to use this device for audio - Allow(ed). Format: 24bit, 48000 Hz. Speaker volume 100%, Left and Right channels 100%. Audio Enhancements-Off. Spatial sound-Off. 

Microphone; Allowing apps and Windows. Format: 2 channels, 16bit, 48000 Hz. Input Volume 100% Test carried out speaking loudly 60cm away from laptop returned a result of ‘17% total volume’.  Audio enhancements - Off

in Stereo Mix, Realtek(R) Audio. Audio - Allowed. Input volume at 100% Test returned 0% of total volume - no output/recording. Audio enhancements- Off.

Drivers all up to date and appears to be using Realtek driver - 31/10/2023.

I hope all that makes sense. Thank you again for your time.

[Macs66]

No microphone showing in Device Manager - but all options checked- On, in Privacy-Security - Microphone page.

[Macs66]

I should add that I also now tested with my partner’s Samsung cellphone and the same issue persisted. 

[Macs66 · Accepted solution]

Sometimes….just..sometimes, the easiest answer is the last to hove into view. 
Uninstalled. Reinstalled. Works🤷🏻‍♂️.

Many thanks for the time taken, I apologise for my lack of blue sky

thinking🤔 .

[sam30 · Accepted solution]

It sounds like you're facing a frustrating audio issue during your Zoom lessons on your ASUS laptop. Since your teacher can hear you clearly, but you struggle to hear them due to what seems like noise suppression, there are a few steps you can take. First, ensure that both Zoom and your Windows audio settings have the "Original Sound" feature enabled, which you've done. Check your audio input and output settings in Zoom to confirm they're correctly configured to use your laptop's speakers. You might also want to adjust the audio settings in Windows, such as disabling any enhancements or effects that could interfere with the sound. If possible, try using headphones to see if that improves clarity. Additionally, consider checking for updates for both Windows and Zoom, as software updates can sometimes resolve such issues. If the problem persists, using your iPhone as a backup is a good solution, but reaching out to Zoom support might provide further insights into specific settings or compatibility issues.

[Macs66 · Accepted solution]

Thank you so much for your time and input Sam, it is very much appreciated. I think our messages might’ve crossed during composition. I foolishly forgot the second most basic problem in troubleshooting - I uninstalled then reinstalled and the issue appears to be resolved. (The most basic troubleshooter being: switch off, leave it for 5 then switch back on again). My sincere apologies and thanks again.