Mic recording too quiet.

[Algaroth]

Dell XPS, SigmaTel soundcard (factory card) with drivers installed, Windows XP Media Edition, running Audacity 1.2.6.

I have the mic selected, mic volume all the way up, and input in Audacity all the way up, and it barely records. It is recording because I'm getting input signal. But when I play back the recording, it is WAY too quiet, almost nonexistent. I speak normally into the mic and it's pretty much not there. I've tried several different mics, also.

What could be the problem?

[alatham]

You didn't mention anything about your recording setup, so I'll have to guess.

It is recording because I'm getting input signal.

I assume you're watching the input meter while recording, is this correct? Does the overall sound level appear to change in sync with your speech, or does it stay pretty constant?

If it's at a constant level while you're talking, you're probably just looking at all the electrical noise on the input, and Audacity isn't actually picking up your voice.

If this is the case, you might be plugged into the wrong port on your soundcard. What kind of a mic are you using, a small computer mic with a 3-conductor audio jack, or a pro mic with a 3-conductor XLR plug?

If you have a pro mic, you will also need a mic pre-amp. The output of the mic preamp will need to be plugged into your soundcard's Line Input, not the Mic Input (counterintuitive, no?)

If you have a small computer mic, then you need to plug into the Mic Input.

These inputs are color coded, are you sure you're plugged into the right one?

Let us know if that helps, or if we need to dig deeper.

[Algaroth]

Yes, I am watching the meter as I record, and it does fluctuate quite a bit with my voice.

I tried using this Plantronic headset, and I also used this generic Microsoft mic, nothing fancy. I've tried both mic ports in the front and the back, and I am using the correct port (red).

Both mics utilize the standard audio jack.

[kozikowski]

When you go into the Windows Sound user panel (double click on the little speaker icon??) is there a setting anywhere for "20 dB Boost?" Some Windows machines have two sets of control panels, one for playback and one for record. Make sure you have the microphone turned all the way up on the Record panel.

And just to be a little ray of sunshine, we have noticed that the latest generation of sound cards will not work with analog microphones. Someone convinced the board makers that they didn't need the high gain microphone service. Good Mic In is a real pain to do. I'm sure everybody breathed a great sign of relief.

We have had to add microphone boosters to some of our recording machines. This kicks Internet Telephone in the head, too unless you're using a USB microphone.

Koz

[kozikowski]

Here it is. If you open the sound control panel--the one with all the sliders, and elect Options, Properties, Recording that will open up the panel that Windows is actually using to control recorded sound--not the playback panel.

The Playback panel may have a microphone listed on it, but that setting doesn't affect recordings.

Koz

[Algaroth]

Hahahhaha omg I didn't even think of the mic boost.

I just turned it on, and it works just perfectly now. Thanks a bunch!

It's nice, clear and loud now. Problem solved.

[piercetheorganist]

Hey folks,

I've got the same exact problem, but I use a Mac (an Intel-chip Mac Mini, running OS X 10.5 and Audacity 1.2.5, to be exact). Unfortunately, the Mac OS doesn't have a "20 dB boost" option, the way Windows does. Also, there is only one audio-in port (a "line-in" port) -- so no separate pre-amped "mic-in" port.

I can't afford an external pre-amp, so this is what I want to know:
(a) Does Audacity have some sort of built-in digital boost tool, the way the Windows OS does?
(b) If not, is there some sort of patch of plug-in I can get for Audacity to accomplish this?
(c) If not, is there some sort of free application I can download to accomplish this?

Has anyone with a Mac found a way to overcome this issue? Please teach me how!

[alatham]

(a) Does Audacity have some sort of built-in digital boost tool, the way the Windows OS does?
(b) If not, is there some sort of patch of plug-in I can get for Audacity to accomplish this?
(c) If not, is there some sort of free application I can download to accomplish this?

A - No, not really. You can amplify anything you've recorded, but the noise will just get louder too.
B - Nope.
C - Nope.

The problem is that this is a hardware issue. You simply don't have the right circuitry to accomplish this. There is no software that will help.

I don't know what kind of mic you're using, but are you aware that the ART TubeMP is only $40 and will amplify any XLR mic? If you have a computer mic, then you're out of luck unless you buy a new one. They now make USB computer mics that will totally bypass your sound card though.

[piercetheorganist]

The problem is that this is a hardware issue. You simply don't have the right circuitry to accomplish this. There is no software that will help.

No offense, but the fact that the Windows OS has a 20 dB mic boost ability makes me doubt that you're right. I think they just haven't written the software yet. Which is okay; I just need confirmation of that from someone who has the credentials to say so.

I don't know what kind of mic you're using, but are you aware that the ART TubeMP is only $40 and will amplify any XLR mic?

I'm using a regular 1/4" stereo jack microphone, with a 1/4" -> 1/8" adapter.

And yes, I'm aware there are inexpensive pre-amps out there. I might be able to get one for $5 at the local thrift store. But I can't afford that right now. I want to make what I have work, not go buy more stuff.

[alatham]

No offense, but the fact that the Windows OS has a 20 dB mic boost ability makes me doubt that you're right. I think they just haven't written the software yet. Which is okay; I just need confirmation of that from someone who has the credentials to say so.

No offense taken, consumer computer audio is in a terribly confusing state and the affordable home studio market is suffering growing pains.

It's not Windows that has a 20dB boost, it's the hardware that provides it. Windows just has a setting that allows you to enable it. And it only works on specially designed Mic In ports.

If you only have a Line In port, then there is no software that will make a standard mic work properly. I'm an electrical engineer, I don't know if that meets your definition of 'credentials', but I do know what I'm talking about.

That said, I've been under the impression that Macs occasionally have a Mic/Line Input. If you have one of those, then all bets are off. However, I'm not a mac user so I can't say for sure.

I'm using a regular 1/4" stereo jack microphone, with a 1/4" -> 1/8" adapter.

The problem is that you've got a Mic level signal plugged into an input that is expecting a Line level signal. Standard Line level is about 100 times greater than standard Mic level, and expects a higher input impedance. No matter what you do you're going to have a noisy recording with that setup.

The only solution for you is a different hardware setup. If you have an old receiver or tape deck lying around it might be possible to use that as a Mic Pre-amp.