How to sound amazing in Zoom Meetings | Perfecting Audio with Keith Alexander

[@mikeheaphy]

Hello Keith...you were fabulous in this instructional video...top notch and your voice is clear as a bell as well as your diction...very well done !

[@keithalexander5935]

Thanks Mike

[@akqr8]

Best OBS tutorial with reference to the Mac particularly. It's as rare as hens teeth to find something focused on: Zoom, Microphone, Mac.

[@keithalexander5935]

Thanks Abe. Lots more content where that came from

[@LeerparaCrear]

Best ASMR ever.

[@keithalexander5935]

Wow Leer, Thanks

[@thegrowingbanddirectorpodc7296]

Great video thank you! With Nexus now not available for free, is there another plug in you recommend? I wasn’t able to get to the point where it chose my plug in in monitor choice.

[@inlocoparentis]

This was awesome! I don't pretend to grasp all of it, but damn if it doesn't sound amazing.

[@keithalexander4623]

Watch it a couple of times then give it a go. You can do it. if you cant then learn from the errors. Then try again.

[@JasperThomas-dq3fh]

Zoom has its own built in noise suppression that can sometimes distort or manipulate whatever sound you want to send to zoom. So all this mic setup with OBS is great and all but may accomplish little if zoom's audio compression flattens out all the depth of your voice that you were trying to preserve. This can by bypassed by clicking "advanced" in the zoom audio settings and check the box for "Original sound for musicians" A pop up then appears in the top left of your zoom window that indicates the status of "origianl sound for musicians" Click it so that it says "Original Sound for Musicians: On" This feature removes zoom's built in audio suppression and will allow all the work you did with OBS to carry through zoom to everyone else in the meeting. Without turning this feature on, you'll sound more or less like anybody else on zoom using a built-in laptop microphone

[@robinmordasiewicz]

Best OBS tutorial ever.

[@keithalexander5935]

Cheers Robin. I'll be looking at more aspects of OBS soon. Thanks for commenting. I hope you are enjoying the rest of the series.

[@healthwellness7986]

I am looking for this for a long time , thank you

[@keithalexander5935]

My pleasure.

[@MrBearfaced]

Probably the sexiest audio tutorial I've ever seen.

[@keithalexander5935]

Thanks Justin 😊

[@she_sings_delightful_things]

I'd say!

[@nightly522]

awesome video - many thanks!!!

[@keithalexander5935]

thank you

[@NefertitiGold]

Just bought a mic that I really love for zoom calls and needed a way to process the audio a bit better and this was PERFECT. THANK YOU!!

[@keithalexander5935]

My absolute pleasure

[@silber_grau]

Blackhole vs. Source-Nexus: There are two possibilities to route sound from OBS to Zoom. I did some testing and Source-Nexus is much more reliable. Blackhole tends to stay silent if you get into a second call or change any settings. If you are unsure about which virtual cable to use, take Source-Nexus, as described by this video.

[@keithalexander5935]

Thank for bringing that to the table Silber

[@peejmele8619]

I couldn't find a free version of Source Nexus but VB Cable on Mac seems to be doing the same thing!

[@keithalexander5935]

It’s just as good

[@krowmontekristo4801]

thanks brother! 👊😎

[@keithalexander5935]

😊

[@patentjohntran1283]

Great tutorial. As an alternative for people scared of OBS and using plug-ins, is to use an outboard gear like the dbs 286s or pressure studio channel so u can improve and tweak ur voice live with hardware.

[@keithalexander5935]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[@sylphi]

Thank you so much!!!! Was tinkering around to improve my sound in Zoom but never got it to work untill this video. For those on a PC, you can use VB virtual cable.

[@paultamaschke9318]

Thanks Sylvia. Perfect.

[@keithalexander5935]

Sylvia, Your brilliant! super well done. Yes of course VB will work brilliantly

[@mcandy007YT]

Protip: In "Advanced" settings you can activate "Enable Original Sound". This allows you to bypass all compression and noise filter made by Zoom. (You need to activate it each meeting with the top left button Original Sound)

[@keithalexander4623]

Make sure you check the option in 'Advanced'. Then the 'enable original sound' will be there all the time.

[@kurtismcgauley2926]

I hit like as soon as he said for free and smiled 😂

[@keithalexander5935]

Cheers Kurtis! Like all the other shows as well.

[@she_sings_delightful_things]

I heeeella subscribed! 😊

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Thanks very much, Keith.I always learn something from your videos!

[@keithalexander5935]

Thanks Mike. I hope this finds you well.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

@@keithalexander5935 I'm fine. I hope you and your family are, as well.

[@paultamaschke9318]

Brilliant! Thank you so much.

[@keithalexander5935]

Thanks Paul

[@pokerdev218]

I tried it and made all the settings JUST like you said and the voice STILL doesn't have a sexy Irish accent :(

[@keithalexander5935]

That particular Irish Accent plugin is unobtainable 😉

[@nutrenicspadi5696]

Really great job on selecting great (and free!) software and showing how to use it. Thank you for sharing, save me tons of hours, sub and like well earned

[@keithalexander5935]

Thank you for commenting. I'm glad to be of help.

[@christianhotter]

Sounds nice! I need to figure out something like Source Nexus for PC.

[@keithalexander5935]

VB Audio VB Cable. Is one that I found. I'm sorry but I have no experience of this driver. Maybe try it out and report back here to tell people.

[@christianhotter]

Keith Alexander that’s what I ended up finding as well. It worked in my tests. It’s nice to know I can use my iZotope plug ins for Zoom!

[@azeemsarfarazlexicon101]

it is available and it's not free, even for mac

[@keithalexander5935]

@@christianhotter You can use all your VST plugins in OBS, its deadly!

[@ericemerson1836]

Two minutes to find out I can't use the download because I don't have a mac?

[@keithalexander5935]

You can get all the software mentioned for PC except Source Nexus. Try VB virtual Cable instead.

[@alaninglis6284]

Hi Keith, thanks for sharing this information, much appreciated. I was able to follow the video and instructions right up to the point where you open the Zoom application. It looks like you opened it within OBS. If that was the case, how did you do that? Can't work it out. Thanks in advance. Regards. Alan

[@keithalexander5935]

No Alan. Sorry for the late reply. I opened it on another monitor that I have connected to my computer. No magic or CGI, I was only recording the one screen Thanks for dropping me this line. I hope all is well with you.

[@sii182]

Absolutely Incredible!! Exactly what I needed. Was trying to set up a Mic for a Zoom performance for piano and vox but wanted to add some reverb and ambience. Thank you so much keith. A fellow Irishman too!

[@keithalexander5935]

Gurra Milé Simon. Don't forget to turn ON "original sound" in your meeting so the Zoom audio processing does not mess up your sound. You'll find the option in the preferences/ Audio section.

[@OneStepToday]

What settings and plugins did u use in the main camera when you speak at the beginning, when the mic is far away but your vocals are crisp and beautifully compressed? And why aren't all of my plugins showing in the OBS, perhaps bec i dont install the vst2 but mostly vst3, it only takes vst2

[@alexshmrx61-74]

Offf men, great tutorial, thanks!!!

[@keithalexander5935]

Thanks Ale San

[@MrNice-fp9mu]

Hello, really great video thanks very much. Sadly, I can’t find source nexus free. If it’s just a driver, do I need it please. Or if it’s not available, is there anything you’d recommend? Thanks again!

[@keithalexander5935]

VB Cable is available and does the same job

[@shmoolicious]

Great.... but what values to do i set for the noise suppresion, noise gate, where do I get the plugin "ozone 8" etc etc.... this video seems to be for beginners but isn't... :(

[@keithalexander5935]

Shmoo. Just listen to what each OBS plugin is doing when wearing good headphones. You can hear each plugin doing its job. When you think your sound is working for you then send it to zoom. Record a bit and then if you feel you would like to addict your settings, do. You don't need pro plugins like Ozone. I was only demonstrating the wide functionality of OBS

[@AlexCorbett]

This was tremendously helpful, thank you!!

[@keithalexander5935]

Thanks for saying so Alex. Lots more brilliant information in the other shows in the series. Check out the playlist.

[@Moiseano]

This is awesome!! I'm jus having trouble when I go to filters and click on vst plug-in its not showing any plugins...Does anyone know why this is happening? Thank you!

[@keithalexander5935]

Do you have any installed?

[@justabody]

Thanks man

[@keithalexander5935]

My pleasure

[@philemotion8876]

Thanks Keith 👍

[@keithalexander5935]

Always a pleasure, Phil. Lots more free education in the "Perfecting Audio with Keith Alexander" playlist.

[@minigopi9010]

Very helpful 👍☺️

[@keithalexander5935]

Thanks Mini

[@MojoFool]

OBS/Sound noob. Where can I get the VST plugins? Or is it possible to do without them?

[@keithalexander5935]

Totally possible. Use the built in plugin in OBS or search the internet for any free VST plugins that are available to help you

[@benniknop]

You didn't show the video. How are you outputting video from OBS to Zoom? I've used the virtualcam app for mac but it's not working for me.

[@keithalexander5935]

Benni, sorry for the late reply. You have the video already in your Zoom software. In this tutorial you are only bringing your audio in from OBS

[@pappy9473]

Too much info for the average punter. Not an audio engineer. But sounds good. Will probably download OBS.

[@keithalexander5935]

Pappy. I will try to pair it back in future

[@jonathanihnen154]

I learned quite a bit with this video! Thank you so much! I have a question though. I am working on setting up a zoom meeting for my church. We have an existing speaker system that I am trying to connect to. I have an XLR to 3.5mm adapter, but whenever I use it, there is a humming sound on the meeting. If I put the audio through OBS first, and set that as my audio device for the meeting, will that cancel the hum?

[@keithalexander5935]

Jonathan. Source nexus is no longer available so install VB Cable. On your speaker output, in zoom, select the vb cable driver. Then you can set up an audio source in OBS with VB Cable s your source. Buzz gone.

[@ROBERTANDERSEN]

I'm working on a 2013 iMac. Yes, an 11 yo mac still letting me connect to my students over zoom. OBS is wonderful in that they have previous versions available. That was settled. Source Nexus Free (still around, not FREE(?) doesn't work on the old gear. Anyone have a solution?

[@shifteleven]

This is great. I think I saw a feature to delay the audio as well - that should fix my issue where my video is out of sync when I use a different audio source with my camera

[@keithalexander5935]

Hey K. Adam. Are you referring to Zoom or OBS? Share your findings here. I'm sure there are lots of people that would like to know. I will be covering OBS further in future shows.

[@shifteleven]

@@keithalexander5935 Sure. So this setting is in OBS under the "Advanced Audio Properties" - "Sync Offset (ms)". Sometimes the video processing takes longer to go from camera to computer (like with the Fuji and Canon software that turns your camera into a webcam over USB) than it takes to process the audio. So the audio and video can get out of phase. With this setting, we can delay the audio until it syncs up with the video so that the mouth matches the sounds it's making.

[@keithalexander5935]

Look at the 'advanced audio settings' in the audio mixer for the audio offset option.

[@250GTOAJ]

Hi Keith, do those audio programs have any Reverb effects. Thanks for sharing the info!

[@keithalexander5935]

No but you can use your vst2 plugins in OBS. So if you have any reverb that are VST plugins then you have full access to it and any other VST2 plugins in your system.

[@250GTOAJ]

@@keithalexander5935 Thanks

[@genefama6082]

It says everything is free but the Ozone plugin costs $500.

[@pokerdev218]

What's $500 among friends?

[@keithalexander5935]

Gene. There are plugin that come with oBS that you can use and they work really well. I was just demonstrating the flexibility of OBS and that you can use your paid plugins as well.

[@hugomonstah]

what windows alternative do you recommend for the sound nexus plug in?

[@keithalexander5935]

VB Cable

[@nutrenicspadi5696]

Tried your suggestions but didn't get the EQ options like you did in your demo. Presumably that's a plugin? How do we get this plug-in or what are the options?

[@keithalexander5935]

The one that I showed is a paid plugin. I was just showing the VST capability of the oBS software. OBS itself has plugins that you can use.

[@ShimiHalperin]

Hey, question: If you are using an XLR mic, and can use outboard gear, is there like a single box (with minimal adjustments to f*k up) that can do the processing you are talking about? I've seen the Rode Podcaster, is that a good option? Are there others?

[@keithalexander5935]

The RodeCaster is a brilliant machine for podcasting and the new update brings super functionality. Have a look at the Zoom PodTrak P8 and P4. Both similar to the Rodecaster but at a different price point. They are brilliant machines as well and the PodTrak P4 can fit into you back pocket, amazing. I loved it.

[@NewToneProducer]

Instead of OBS, can I do the same thing with a Digital Audio Workstation such as Logic Pro X?

[@keithalexander5935]

No. DAW's use only one audio driver at a time whereas OBS lets you use multiple drivers at once so you can send signals to lots of places

[@patentjohntran1283]

can you use izotope rx9 or nectar as vst plug-in in this scenario?

[@keithalexander5935]

Yes you totally can

[@holisticentrepreneurscommu5656]

Is there a way to hear your voice as you’re recording for a zoom? I hate how everyone is always yelling on zooms to be heard lol. And if I’m not hearing myself on a monitor then I end up yelling too.

[@Kmmc2011]

Hi, would there be any lag when using an xlr mic through a USB audio interface, for Skype or Zoom meetings?

[@keithalexander5935]

There should only be as much latency as the interface allows which should be tiny

[@smoogles.5534]

I don t get this magically everything is done and setup like when you did OZONE it was setup but how did you setup ozone to work with it or did you just put ozone there and it worked automatically.

[@Purnoworld]

where to download the VST plug in

[@keithalexander5935]

I have bought my VST plugins but there are free ones out there google free vast plugins.

[@satoshijon3730]

hey so real quick I'm going to bring this up here cuz I can't find it anywhere on the internet. I'm using black hole 16 channel and about maybe 10 minutes into every zoom meeting my audio goes from being crispy and clear through my DAW into being a distorted mess and the only way to fix it is by closing down my DAW and/or eCam. For some reason I can change one or the other and fix it. The real problem is even when I'm not running eCam my audio will distort when I'm just running my DAW through zoom. I'm going to try source Nexus maybe black hole is the problem. Note that my audio never distorts until about 5 to 10 minutes into my meeting. Causing me to constantly close down my DAW and restart it.

[@The5thYard]

I'm having very similar issues running my audio through blackhole. On my DAW (GarageBand) it sounds great, but when I output to zoom or any other video conferencing program it sounds very muffled

[@keithalexander5935]

Others have mentioned the problems with Blackhole. Maybe try Source Nexus if you have it or VB Virtual Cable and see how you get on.

[@jeremywebster8815]

Uhhhhh, thanks for being fucking BRILLIANT! I need a guy like you on my side. SUB!

[@keithalexander5935]

Eh, My F****** pleasure. Always here to help

[@johnhampton2543]

SOS, I followed all of the steps but I am not getting any output. Im using a RE20 through Scarlett 18i8. I thought OBS would work but I am not getting anything on the zoom levels. Traditionally I have been opening Live and creating an audio input. This method sends my mic audio to zoom but I cannot add any effects.

[@keithalexander5935]

John Apologies for the late reply. Look at the 'advances settings' in OBS to see are you set to "Monitor and Output" on your audio channel.

[@cherrysdesigns]

@@keithalexander5935 I've got the same issue. I followed every of your steps but it won't show anything on the zoom levels.

[@Jrosehealing]

how do you use reverb for voice on zoom meetings if I am adding chanting to my meetins?

[@JUANSF95]

Do not loose your time with this. He uses plugings that are not free and the OBS sftware crashes all the time. Does anyone know if premiere can do this though the Source Nexus? Or any other way to equalize the mic?

[@keithalexander5935]

I use the plugins for demonstration purposes. Premier will only use one audio driver at a time so no it can not be used for this setup. Try updating your OBS. It is a serious piece of kit.

[@SpencerThayer]

List of free VSTs?

[@bradatimedved]

Source Nexus is no longer free...

[@coachgius]

I went thorough all the steps, the audio coming off Zoom is awful, what it could be wrong?

[@coachgius]

Essentially it sound like filters settings are not applied, in particular the de-noise. Hum noise, laptop fan, huge sound worse than using the raw signal :S

[@coachgius]

Right, it seemed the problem for me was source-nexus (mac). For some reason it distorted the signal. With loopback audio, it is now all good.

[@keithalexander5935]

@@coachgius Sorry about the late reply. I am delighted you got it sorted. I hope this finds you well.

[@genobambino]

Hey Keith, I’m getting delay on the audio using this method. Is there any way to fix that? The delay goes away when I use the crappy Zoom audio.

[@keithalexander5935]

genobambino sounds like its OBS. Play with delay in ‘advanced audio settings’. Though it may be an issue with slower processors.

[@genobambino]

Thanks Keith, I tried that earlier to no effect. Then I went directly to Zoom with the mic, a Rode Podcaster, selected for the audio input. Same delay. I think it’s a general problem with USB mics because they have to round-trip from analog to digital and back to analog and do all their own processing internally. My Mac Pro is from 2010, as is this mic. Next step will be to try a regular condenser mic with a mixer- preamp like the Steinberg you use. Wish me luck!

[@keithalexander5935]

@@genobambino The very best of luck! Try recording your Zoom meeting. It may only be a delay in your headphones and not the signal going to Zoom.

[@keithalexander5935]

I just had a thought, look at your advanced settings and switch your output to monitor only

[@dmccurley123]

What filters did you add? And in what order?

[@keithalexander5935]

I used my izotope RX7 noise reduction and then make everything sound amazing with Izotope Ozone

[@sallison1136]

@@keithalexander5935 Hi Alexander - what were the Ozone settings? And in general what kind of filters would you recommend for web conferencing audio?

[@keithalexander5935]

@@sallison1136 Steve play with them. I will always try to encourage people to try for themselves, its the most effective way to learn and gain confidence in your skillset. For web conferencing I would set an EQ, compressor and then noise reduction. Play with the parameters and see what each tool does.

[@phsyckomantis]

Never liked zoom....still dont.

[@keithalexander5935]

Never mind Totoro, this will work with any meeting software on your computer.

[@phsyckomantis]

@@keithalexander5935 will try it later thank you for the tutorial. Much appreciated.

[@keithalexander5935]

@@phsyckomantis always a pleasure. Ps I Love Totoro. Such an amazing movie. I love all Ghibli

[@phsyckomantis]

@@keithalexander5935 yes, that's a great movie. One of my favorites until today.