How to best mic a room for virtual conferencing

Question

I need to mic a Room for Zoom.

Before:

We were using multiple cardioid microphones connected to different computers and 1x speakers for audio but we were getting feedback and could increase the volume, so it was difficult to hear the people joining via zoom.

Question: We were thinking about using wireless lapel microphones and headphones but that would limit us to X number of people who would be able to speak and listen in physically. What's the best way to set up the A/V equipment so everyone is heard clearly and it's easy to hear people over Zoom?

Answer 1

There are two things you can try.

1. Compression - This will help reduce the dynamic range, meaning the range from the softest to the loudest sound (of a person's voice, in this case) constricts so that volume will stay more consistent.
2. Noise Gate - This will help reduce the mic's level when someone on the other end of the call is speaking.

Both of these require a little trial and error to get the proper settings for the environment you're working in. Make sure whatever speakers you use are facing away from the microphones, or at least in a direction that won't cause them to give feedback. I would suggest maybe using two speakers, but I'm not sure. Are you using P/A speakers? How big is the room and how loud do the speakers need to be?