I am dubbing voice over a soundtrack in Audacity 2.1.1, using a Logitech h540 USB headset in a Toshiba Satellite P55 running Windows 8.1. I have been successful in recording while listening to the soundtrack, both mic and earphones selected in the Microsoft Mapping (input and output), setting respective levels and all, quite happily.
However…there is approximately an 8-second “rise time”, if you will, in either the response or the sensitivity of the mic - recording the same sung voice level from inaudible to (at around 8 seconds), a satisfactory level. I could likely make a workaround by singing for 8 seconds prior to when I actually need to commence, in the overdub, then cutting that portion out; but that seems cumbersome if someone can kindly advise a proper solution, if one exists…
Any suggestions will be cheerfully tried…and thanks, in advance.
“Singing” is the phrase that pays. You are probably a victim of Windows Enhanced Services. Enhanced Services tries to process your voice and eliminate background noises while you’re speaking either in conference or one-on-one with someone on-line. It hates music.
http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/faq_recording_troubleshooting.html#enhancements
There may be other filters and tools, too, but that one’s famous for this.
Koz
Thanks, Koz - but mine does not offer the exact enhancements as described, although I was able to set “do nothing”, to no different effect. I have now found that the same depressed volume or gain occurred at an instrumental place in the recording where I was not singing - and again, after some seconds of voice, it rose to the “normal” level. As with the lead-off problem, if I maintain some noise on the recorded track, it will sustain the proper level, but I’ll have to then cut it out later.
So, apparently there is some software action in Windows which is turning down the mic gain when it detects a period of low or no input…
Again, would welcome any other suggestions as to how to prevent this lowering of the mic gain…
If you have Skype running, exit it.
Where are you playing the soundtrack? If it’s a file on your computer you may get best results by importing the soundtrack into Audacity, if you are not already doing so.
Are you routing your voice into the headset, so you hear yourself, if so, how?
Gale
The Logitech information seems to suggest that the microphone has processing.
The adjustable microphone reduces background noises for crystal-clear chatting.
That could either mean it’s a directional microphone, or it could mean it’s trying to intelligently suppress noises through software processing.
I bet the laptop built-in microphone doesn’t do that.
Koz
This headset doesn’t seem to work with Windows 8.1 specifically. A lot of people report problems. It’s hardware related. If your computer has a certain USB config, odd things might happen.
One often cited solution is to try inserting a (powered) hub. That changes the USB config and resolves the problem for many people.
Even simpler could be to try another USB port, if your computer has USB2 and USB3 ports fi. But “Toshiba Satellite P55” is a very large family, so I can’t tell.
An 8 seconds rise time might also mean that it takes that much time to power up the mic. That’s supposing power to the mic would be switched inside the mic. I’d expect that to be in the 1 to 2 second range, tho. It’s less likely than 8.1 USB hardware problems.
In general, Logitech makes good gear, so it might be worth your time to ask this question on the Logitech fora?