How to Set Up Virtual Audio Cable for Skype

Are you tired of struggling to get your system sounds heard by others during online meetings or demos via Skype for Business? It's frustrating when you try to explain the importance of a demo, only to be told in chat that they couldn't hear it. This was my experience recently while conducting an 'alarm clock' demo and making a joke about subjecting the audience to an annoying ringing noise.

One of the main challenges I faced was that Skype for Business only takes your microphone and ignores the other system sounds on your computer. This problem is especially relevant when you're using apps like Toast, which rely heavily on their sounds.

The solution to this issue is a virtual audio cable. Essentially, it's an audio device driver that allows you to 'plug' sources into an input and then have your target software listen to the matching output. In other words, it enables you to transmit system sounds alongside your voice during online meetings or demos.

To set up a virtual audio cable, follow these steps:

1. Download and unzip the archive containing the relevant setup file for your system (as an administrator).

2. Run the setup file and complete the installation process.

3. Restart your PC after the install is done.

For this tutorial, I used VB-CABLE, which is 'donationware' but worked amazingly well for me. The install process is straightforward, and I won't bog you down with screenshots of it.

Once the installation is complete, head to the 'Sound' section in the Control Panel. You should see a new Windows driver, don't worry about the reboot prompt.

After restarting your PC, go back to the 'Sound' settings and right-click on the virtual audio cable (CABLE Input). Make it the default for both playback and communication. In my case, this had automatically become my default playback device.

With the virtual audio cable set up, you can now transmit system sounds alongside your voice during online meetings or demos via Skype for Business. This will ensure that others can hear the important system sounds that are a part of your presentation, such as alarm clocks or other notifications.

How to setup virtual audio cable for skype