Are you wondering how you can broadcast audio from a Skype call or Zoom meeting on your radio station?
In today's guide, you will find out how to accomplish this task for free. We'll use tools that are at your disposal.
With that, let's get started.
Why are Skype and Zoom important for broadcasters?
Zoom and Skype are two of the most famous video calling applications. They come with a similar feature set, including the ability to share files, record meetings, share screens, host multiple participants, and more.
Skype was tailored from the beginning to help users make voice calls over the internet.
Zoom has shot into prominence for its tailored approach to hosting meetings.
Internet broadcasters and podcasters have leverage both platforms to host meetings and interview guests.
While both platforms allow you to add participants into a meeting, there are situations where you may want to broadcast the audio from live conversations directly to your listeners.
Programs required to broadcast audio from a Zoom or Skype meeting
- Encoder
- The encoder allows you to capture audio on your computer and send it to your broadcasting server. There are many standalone encoders available on the market, and some radio broadcasting software already come with an integrated encoder.
- Broadcasting server
- You will need a broadcasting server that will distribute the stream from your studio to your listeners. It's important to choose a streaming provider that provides a stable network to ensure that your live broadcast is well-received by your listeners.
- Video calling app: You can install both Skype or Zoom on your computer. We recommend getting the desktop versions of the applications as it will afford you more flexibility when configuring the audio settings.
How to broadcast audio from a Zoom meeting or Skype meeting Tutorial
For this tutorial, we will be using Zoom meetings as it's currently the most popularly used to host video calls along with Voicemeeter and BUTT.
Voicemeeter is an audio mixer application that allows you to create virtual inputs and outputs. This allows you to manage multiple audio sources and devices that are connected to your computer. (See the Voicemeeter installation tutorial)
If you’re using a Mac computer, you can alternatively broadcast audio from a Zoom meeting using Audio Hijack.
BUTT is a popular free encoder that also happens to support macOS. (Learn how to install BUTT)
Step 1: Configure Zoom Meetings with Voicemeeter
The advantage of using Voicemeeter is that it gives you the ability to route sound where you want. After setting up the program, you should restart your computer, and you'll be able to launch it from your list of programs.
In case you've not set it up using our linked tutorials, you can download it here: https://vb-audio.com/Voicemeeter/banana.htm
- After launching Voicemeeter, go ahead and open Zoom Meetings.
- Select the settings icon to access the settings
- Choose the Audio Tab to access the settings for your speaker and microphone,
- Under the speaker settings choose Speaker > VoiceMeeter Aux Input (VB-Audio VoiceMeeter..)
It's important to consider your microphone settings carefully. You need a situation where you can capture your voice while ensuring that you are not recording the meeting’s audio directly with your main microphone. Having a set of headphones or earbuds to monitor the audio from the meeting is one way of going about it.
Step 2: Configure Voicemeeter with BUTT
The audio from Zoom Meetings or Skype will be fed through the VoiceMeeter Aux Input.
If you want to listen to the audio from the meeting, you must set up the Hardware Out. Voicemeeter Banana affords you three outputs (A1, A2, A3)
- Click A1, and select your audio playback device. It’s recommended that you use a headset to listen to the playback to prevent a feedback loop caused by a live recording mic.
- You can also set up an additional output device by selecting A2 or A3.
In BUTT, configure the input capture as follows (VoiceMeeter Output (VB-Audio Voicemeeter). It's the corresponding virtual output of Voicemeeter Aux Input :
Step 3: Start the meeting and begin the broadcast
We recommend setting up a test meeting before the actual broadcast to make sure everything is working as it needs to. In case of a problem, you'll also have enough time to find a workaround.
When joining a meeting, you can mute your microphone any time you're not speaking.
Recording your show should also be of great consideration. Most standalone encoders such as BUTT come with the ability to record the stream.
In Voicemeeter, you can setup hardware inputs such as a USB microphone.
Conclusion
The ideal setup to aim for is where your listeners can hear what you are saying. They should also hear the responses from other meeting participants.
There are other means of broadcasting audio from a live Zoom meeting if you have an existing audio production system.
You can learn more about this on Zoom's Help Center: (Broadcasting a Zoom meeting)
If you need a broadcast solution that's reliable and trusted by thousands of radio stations across the world, give our platform a try.