Audacity Forum

There is no restriction in Windows 7 I know of why a device can't have a microphone boost. I get a boost (on the Levels tab in "Sound") for the onboard microphone on two different Win 7 computers (Starter and Ultimate Edition). I was assuming that at least for the Lexicon, you had the correct drivers since you don't have a problem on XP and the Lexicon drivers are the same for Win 7 and XP. Of course that may be part of the problem.

The Lexicon drivers and Manual are here. You are connecting your mic to the mic input on the back of the Lexicon, is that so? The Manual says that the "Line 2/Mic" gain knob on the front panel applies 50 dB gain at maximum setting. I know you said you have the mic knob turned up, but can you recheck? Does that knob make any difference at all if you change its level?

And in case this is an Audacity problem, though I doubt it, you should verify at Help > About Audacity that you have the latest 1.3.12 Beta, and try recording with Windows Sound Recorder.



Gale

Thanks for your reply. I should clarify a few things. I own five computers and work on others for pay. I've also asked around locally to proteges about all this before I began posting. As well, I've played in a band for 20 years (working on the equipment) and done studio work.

That being said, let me address your points. First, I tried everything out with both the Lexicon and the MBox2 (which both work fine on the other computers, albeit with Audacity 1.2) I cannot find a boost tab in any menu or sub menu that deals with the mic volume delivered via a USB mixer either in the driver software for the mixers or in Windows on this computer (Asus quad core CG5270 with high def sound card running Win 7 Ultimate). I originally found (before I began posting) that I had a bad driver install for the Lexicon in Device Manager. So, I tried to delete the driver and installed the latest package from Lexicon after a download.That didn't work, so I tried the same thing utilizing the WinXP emulator in Win 7. The driver is solid now, but the result is the same; I can only excite the meter level to 1/3 with everything cranked up all the way (the Audacity record level as well as the Lexicon or the MBox2) and even that is with close proximity to the mic (about and inch) and speaking very loud. I am using an XLR connector in line 2 (as I have for nearly two years with the other computers in version 1.2) and have tried swapping the cable and the mic (in addition to using the two different mixers). And yes, the level does make a difference. Cranked all the way gives me the low record volume. Turning it down attenuates to nothing long before it reaches full attenuation on the pot. I have also specified MME and tried Windows DirectSound in preferences in Audacity. Nada. Also, I tried delving into Audacity help (online) and online forums, where I found some complaints, ironically enough, about overload volume in Win 7 and some about low volume - but nothing helpful in resolving this. Windows forums that I have seen are no more helpful (I do recognize that this type of thing is just a niche use for a platform that has nowhere near the user numbers of XP or Vista). Indeed, the high def cards (and their drivers) are also low in numbers, so its hard to get help from their user forums.

At this point I feel I am doomed to keeping the XP machine up for the sole purpose of recording voice overs while my new tower sits there and looks pretty.

Try recording in Audacity 1.2 and in Windows Sound Recorder. If there is the same problem there then have you contacted Lexicon or Avid about it? They may be aware of the reason for the problem. They won't be interested unless you can tell them that the problem is the same whatever the recording software.

Can you at least record one stereo track at a time at a decent level by sending it to line-in of the motherboard sound device? I know that will probably be a lower quality device, but Audacity can't record in 24-bit on Windows anyway.



Gale

Good call. I installed the retro version (1.2) of Audacity and I have the same problem. Neither Lexicon or MBox's sites have anything on the problem. That leaves me with Windows 7 and the drivers for the (onboard) soundcards. Any ideas?

I was assuming there wouldn't be a low input problem if you input into the onboard sound device.

Are there any problems with the Universal Serial Bus controllers in Windows Device Manager? Can you update the drivers for those controllers or even roll back to previous drivers? Have you tried other spare USB ports?


Gale