mic auto adjust problems? windows vista

[wbreslin951]

i can't really describe whats happening here, so ill post an mp3, listen to it, tell me what i can do to fix it.

http://www.filefreak.com/files/730975_m6kkl/wierd.mp3

its really short, but if you listen, about half way through, it changes from being HORRIBLY clipped, to just not great sounding but not clipped anymore, almost as if the driver is automatically lowering the preamp gain in the middle of recording.

i have my computer dual-booted with linux, and when i record with audacity under linux it sounds pretty damn good..

keep in mind this is with a built in microphone under windows vista home basic on my compaq presario cq60. thanks for y'alls patience and help in advance!

[kozikowski]

Windows comes out of the box as a corporate business software package. One of the things that gets preset is the sound channel. It is set for Skype or other communications between business offices, not high quality audio.

So you need to root around in the Windows Control Panels and turn off anything labeled Echo Cancellation, Auto Microphone, Volume Management, Background Suppression, Delay Compensation, etc. etc. Anything you don't recognize.

If you really want to make us happy, please keep a list of exactly what you turned off, what it was called, and where the setting was.

Koz

[wbreslin951]

i HATE windows. thanks for the advice. as soon as i get the motivation to go through all that, ill post an mp3 of audacity coupled with built in mic+vistas behavior along with a list of all the changes i did in the system

[wbreslin951]

THANK YOU!! k, too all who might have this same problem, here's what i did to fix it:

Start-> Control Panel -> Sound

Click the "Recording" tab

Right click "microphone"

Click "properties" in the resulting dialogue

Click "Advanced" tab

Uncheck "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device"

Uncheck "Enable Audio Enhancements"

Click "OK"

Click "OK" again

DONE problem solved.

This should be in a windows vista sticky =]

This is before the mod:

http://www.filefreak.com/files/730982_cx5po/wierd.mp3

This is after the mod:

http://www.filefreak.com/files/730982_c ... twierd.mp3

both recorded under the same circumstances, only difference is the setting changes that i listed.

Thanks to kozikowski for the inspiration to make said setting changes =]

[kozikowski]

Those music files may say they're MP3, but when I pull them down, I get a picture (gif)
telling me I don't have permission to access the file.

But that's OK. It's pretty straightforward when you get the settings right and all the problems go away.

Koz

[hankhammer]

I tried several things including:
unchecking echo cancellation
unchecking "allow applications to take exclusive control"

Unfortunately, it still sounds muffled.

I am going to return to frys and see if they have a better adapter
than the one-dollar type i bought.
Or i might check into getting a usb connector for my mixer.
If that fails, i may look into getting a usb mic.

Thanks very much for putting so much effort into my problem.
I'll let you know if I get it working properly.

hank hammer

[Gale Andrews]

I just want to add that unchecking "allow applications to take exclusive control" can in some case create problems with sound quality. Unchecking does mean that you don't absolutely have to choose an Audacity project rate that your sound device supports, but it also means that if that project rate is not the same as in "Default Format" above those checkboxes, then you are forcing resampling between Audacity and the sound device which can create quality and speed issues.

Checking "allow applications to take exclusive control" and the "priority" box underneath it, choosing "Windows Direct Sound" as "Host" in Device Toolbar and then making sure you choose a compatible project rate lets Audacity request the rate directly from the sound device and is often the best way.



Gale