Horrible chopping sound and sudden changes in mike gain

Audacity Help Forum Windows
1

Hi Everyone,

I have:
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit, Version 6.1, Build 7601 SP1
Asus K52F Core i3 processor
Audacity 2.0.3
Conexant Smart Audio card that came standard with laptop

When I use laptops built in mike to make simple audio recordings, I get horrible chopping sounds and sudden changes in mike gain depending on what I am singing (amplitude, mostly and duration can affect performance).

I tried adjusting mike gain on audacity or other audacity settings and not much help. BTW, MME, Speakers (Conexant SmartAudio), Microphone (Conexant SmartAudio) and 1 (Mono) Input Channel seems best so far for the Audacity Device Toolbar

Then I right clicked speaker on Win7 lower right, selected “Recording Devices”
Win7
Speaker icon lower right
Recording Devices
Recording tab
Selected “Conexant SmartAudio HD” internal mike
Properties
Advanced tab
Signal enhancements → unselect this feature!!

I also had to boost the microphone using Now recordings are smooth and pleasant to listen to. There is the background noise.

Win7
Speaker icon lower right
Recording Devices
Recording tab
Selected “Conexant SmartAudio HD” internal mike
Properties
Levels tab and set Microphone to 83 and set Microphone Boost to +40dB to get audio close to 0dB on Audacity meter at loudest parts.

I pray this might help someone in Yeshua’s holy name.

2

Yes, be sure to turn off Windows Enhanced Services to keep the echo cancellation from messing things up. That’s a big one. Always wear sealed headphones when you live record.

Some microphone systems need the Microphone Boost selected to get good sound levels. My voice goes through sound-proofed walls, so sometimes I don’t need it.

We would add always record in a quiet, echo-free room. We can’t take echoes or the neighbor’s TV set out of a show in post production. This clip will always sound terrible.

http://kozco.com/tech/audacity/clips/EchoSample.mp3

Do remember that many built-in microphones were intended to Skype to a conference room in the London home office and not record La Traviata. Background noise (especially with the Mic Boost on) is normal.

I have recorded very nice voice tracks for a television commercial on my laptop microphone, but it was a scratch or guide track, not the final voice.

Koz