Static Feedback when using Original Sound

[menyedy]

I recently started experiencing horrible static feedback when I switch on the Orginal Sound feature. I use a MacBook Air and Rode ll mic system. Everything worked fine until a month ago, now I cannot figure out what the issue is...I've done updates, restarts, changed cables, new mics and still the horrible sound persists. 

I cannot hear it while the meeting in on, but the clients can hear the buzzing static and it's on the recording. So I'm doing a million test recordings to trouble shoot but nothing is working! 

Please, anyone, help! 

[sueyoga]

Same issue here.  Have spent money thinking it was the mixer, mic, adaptor.  Clients saying that the static is constant, and listening to the recording, it is.  It isn't coming from my voice or the music, it's the Zoom system.  Does anyone have any ideas?

[WestonM]

Did you ever get this issue resolved.  We just started having the same problem.

[MGSR]

Hello there, 

I'm sorry for the late response and the inconvenience you are experiencing. 

The Rode Wireless GO II is a wireless microphone system that operates over 2.4GHz radio frequency (RF), which is a common frequency used by many wireless devices, including Wi-Fi networks. Due to this, the system can be sensitive to interference from nearby devices that also use the same frequency range, such as Wi-Fi routers, smartphones, or other wireless communication equipment.

If using a system that seems to be more susceptible to RF interference, we would also recommend the following to reduce the RF interference in the recordings:

• Lowering the input gain of your camera or audio recorder while boosting the gain from the Wireless GO II receiver.
• Using a longer TRS 3.5mm cable can also safeguard against interference, as the receiver can be further away from the recording device.
• Enabling an Airplane mode on the camera/ audio recorder.

You can read more in this article from Rode.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

[WestonM]

Thanks for respondiing. 

We are not using the Rode Wireless system for audio.  Our system uses a remote camera with no audio and our Audio is coming directly from the audio rack via 3.5mm audio out the directly to the computer running the zoom webinar through it line input. 

The system was working fine until a few weeks ago. (Nothing changed from our setup.)

Cheers

Mike

[WestonM]

I should have added that the system is end to end hard wired.

Camera to encoder to laptop. Audio and ethernet connection all wired

[DPL]

I see you sound like you know what you’re doing with regard to playing music on Zoom. I have been a fitness instructor for almost 5 years on Zoom now. I have a very simple setup. I play music on my iPad that is hooked up to a portable speaker. The speaker sits next to my Lenovo Windows PC and this setup has been working for years teaching Zumba, dance, yoga,etc. I have to update my version of Zoom but the lower versions always work best for me. Today I updated to version 6.0 because I’m going to have to do so by Thursday. My class reported static when I was talking and “Whooshing” sound when no one was talking. I am so worried about this because this is my livelihood. I teach senior citizens and many of them are home bound and this is a lifeline for them. Do you have any recommendations for me to try?  I don’t know who to go to but saw you responded to similar posts and I hope you can help resolve this issue. Thank you so much!

[WestonM]

I can't say that I am an expert at this but I can share our experience which may help you isolate the problem.  The interference we experienced sounds similar to what you are experiencing as to the sudden change from everything working optimally to horribly wrong.  Our first response to the issue was that something had changed with zoom to create the problem, which lead us to test every known possibility from a settings perspective.  With no luck on that end it became obvious that it was likely our computer and when we brought in a different computer  the issue no longer existed.  So we were ready to purchase a new computer.  Fortunately I was asked to broadcast from a different site and since it was in the same building I simply unplugged the laptop and set it up without the power adapter.  Lo and behold the zoom meeting was without any interference but as soon as I connected it to the power adapter the interference returned.  Looking back we did have trouble with the power supply and the laptop not charging correctly, so we purchased a new power supply and the issue with charging was corrected.  What we didn't expect that while the power supply matched the specs of the original one it did not have the same shielding that the original one had.  Once we paid the price for an original replacement, the interference was gone and we were up and running.

So my advice is to look at all possibilities.  Did something change with your overall system around the time the problem presented itself.  If you can I would definitely try running zoom on another device to test whether you problem is device related or zoom related.

Hope this is helpful 

[DPL]

Thank you for taking the time for this response. It’s coincidental that you say this because I think I’ve tried all the settings like you did. I’m now leaning toward the fan in my computer making the noise that the mic is picking up. A friend who knows a lot about computers said to get an external mic and keep it away from the internal fan and see if that works. I’m hoping that may be the issue. I’ll let you know if it is. I’m happy to hear that your problem is resolved. Thank you again. 

[zafarkhan987]

Try these quick fixes:

1. Check Zoom Audio Settings – Go to Zoom > Settings > Audio, select the correct mic, and disable "Automatically adjust microphone volume."
2. Test Without Original Sound – If static disappears, the issue may be with Zoom’s raw audio processing.
3. Adjust Mac Sound Settings – Lower input volume in System Settings > Sound > Input and test different levels.
4. Check for Interference – Disconnect Bluetooth devices and move away from WiFi routers or other electronics.
5. Reinstall Zoom – Uninstall Zoom, restart your Mac, and install the latest version.
6. Test in Another App – Record in QuickTime or GarageBand. If static persists, the issue is with the mic or Mac settings.

Let me know if this helps! 🎧

[WestonM]

I accidentally stumbled on the cause of the problem.  It was a faulty power supply to my laptop. Running on batteries everything worked great.  Plug it in and the static interference was back when using Orginal Sound.