Audacity Forum

I have recently installed a Logitech USB Desktop Microphone (AK5370). When Audacity (ver. 1.2.6) is started with the USB microphone plugged in, the preference menu is blank with no choices and the microphone is active. To obtain the “line in” option, I either have to go to “Audacity Preferences (Ctrl P)” and change the “Recording Device” to the sound card (C-Media PCI Audio) or I can get the preference menu back by restarting Audacity with the microphone unplugged; however, this method presents another problem, because when I select “Microphone” from the menu, the mic recording is very weak.

Is there any way I can start Audacity with the microphone plugged in, have a preference menu and also have a strong mic recording when “microphone” is selected?

Computer:

Self Assembled
Windows XP (Home)
AMD 64 FX 60 Socket 939
(3) Ultra 1024 MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz
(2) Seagate 7200 320GB SATA

Boyle wrote:I have recently installed a Logitech USB Desktop Microphone (AK5370). When Audacity (ver. 1.2.6) is started with the USB microphone plugged in, the preference menu is blank with no choices and the microphone is active.

You mean the Mixer Toolbar input selector is blank, I think?

Boyle wrote:To obtain the “line in” option, I either have to go to “Audacity Preferences (Ctrl P)” and change the “Recording Device” to the sound card (C-Media PCI Audio) or I can get the preference menu back by restarting Audacity with the microphone unplugged; however, this method presents another problem, because when I select “Microphone” from the menu, the mic recording is very weak.

Is there any way I can start Audacity with the microphone plugged in, have a preference menu and also have a strong mic recording when “microphone” is selected?

Windows XP (Home)

The Mixer Toolbar input selector shows inputs for the device chosen in Preferences. It is blank when the USB microphone is connected because the microphone has no choice of mixer devices like a sound card does.

If you use Audacity Beta, you can click View > Toolbars > Device Toolbar which will give you access to the playback device and recording device without going into Preferences. You can drag Device Toolbar by the left (serrated) edge to move it.

Low input level on the mic input for the C-Media device is un-related to having the USB mic connected or not. I suggest you go to Sounds and Audio Devices in the Windows Control Panel, choose C-Media in the "Sound recording" panel, click "Volume", then look for an "Advanced" button for the mic. That should have a "Boost" or "AGC" box you can check to boost the mic pre-amplification.

Why are you switching between the two mics so much?



Gale

Thanks for your reply. I'll try your suggestions. The reason I went to another mic was to see if the USB would do a better job and it does; however, it did add some complications with Audacity. I still am wondering what caused my microphones to go weak in the first place no matter what app I'm using.

<<<I still am wondering what caused my microphones to go weak in the first place no matter what app I'm using.>>>

You need to read through that last post carefully. Some better sound cards have a "20dB Boost" selector and it's frequently the difference between getting a good volume recording and not. If all your sliders are up and you could still use a little more zot, this clicker is for you -- if your sound card supports it.

It's not unusual to mess with the sound settings and find that the Boost option has been deselected.

Koz

My boost is selected.

I have found something unusual; with this new USB mic, it appears to be sensitive to what USB port I plug it into. If I plug it into one of the rear motherboard ports or into my external powered USB port (attached to a rear motherboard port), it goes back into its weak ways. Only plugging it into one of the computer front ports does the microphone seem to deliver full power on all of my apps. Strange, but I am sure that somewhere there is a logical explanation.

USB microphones work from the battery supplied at the USB connections (usually 5 volts). If there is anything wrong with that battery at the connector, then the microphone will not behave properly. Simple USB microphones will reduce volume as the battery becomes damaged. More complicated microphones may fail completely.

I've never heard of this on one computer, but there is a sharp divide between USB1 and USB2. Only USB2 is recommended for audio (and video) connections. Take a peek at your computer instructions.

It's possible the connections at one side of the computer are shared or some other way compromised compared to the others.

You could also have plain, ordinary dirt. Plug and unplug multiple times and see if the problem changes. If you're the adventurous type, open the computer case and make sure all the internal connectors are firmly in place. And clean while you're in there.

Koz

Thanks for the help. I just called my daughter-in-law on Skype (computer to phone) and she said I was coming through fine, but on my end (tuner to speakers) it sounded like she was in a tunnel. (When I play music from Rhapsody or I tunes, it sounds good.) I'm going to keep playing with this and I know I will eventually get it working right.