Tinny audio w/switch to newer laptop/newer Audacity

[michaeljshaw]

Hi again @jademan and @kozikowski

Finally getting back to this issue. I'm attaching a sample from the Dell laptop where I still can't figure out what the issue is.
Please see if you think it sounds a little off.
I'll attach a sample from the original/older laptop shortly, thanks in advance.

[michaeljshaw]

And here is a sample audio from the older HP laptop that sounds better, I think-- thanks again in advance.

[jademan]

Finally getting back to this issue. I'm attaching a sample from the Dell laptop where I still can't figure out what the issue is.

Now, my ears aren't the best, but I amplified the Dell track by a factor of 7 and the two recordings seem to be the same to me.

So, why the level difference? I don't know why, but I could speculate that one of the machines is applying a mono/stereo level adjustment that the other is not. I don't think Audacity would be doing this. Perhaps you are using different drivers.

I hope this helps.

[kozikowski]

I applied a 10dB volume boost to the Dell voice and it matches the HP voice. No difference except you're too close to the microphone on the HP recording and it's P-Popping.

You should do what we're doing. Listen on one machine instead of trying to shuffle back and forth. Select the Dell voice and Effect > Amplify: Amplification 10dB > Enter. That should make up the volume difference between the machine recordings.

So if you hear an objectionable difference, it's on the playback side.

Newer machines go to a lot of trouble to advertise how much better their music is than the competition because of "Enhanced Processing." You might want to find out if your machine does that, find it, and turn it off.

That and Audacity doesn't apply effects, filters, or corrections on recording.

Koz

[kozikowski]

Given the volume difference we should note that some machines have a microphone boost buried in Windows settings. This was in response to the microphone maker's products getting quieter and quieter.

Home microphone makers have an advantage when they make a quiet microphone. It sounds OK and the performer thinks the low volume is their fault. Loud microphones are prone to clipping and overload damage which immediately sounds awful, it's permanent, and makes the performer want to send the microphone back. Quiet it is.

Koz

[michaeljshaw]

Thank you so much for all the feedback and expertise, @Koz and @Jademan- you're the best!

I can finally start using the Dell and know that it's just something in the settings.
Again- very much appreciated! (thanks prayer emoji)
Michael

[michaeljshaw]

Hi again guys-
I'm sorry but I still can't figure out a way around this problem: the recording level is still very low, even with the mic setting at 87.
I'm attaching another mp3 where I call my voice mail, which is, as always with USB incoming calls, at very high levels.
So even if I did Amplify x10 for my part of a recording, it would be super time-consuming to Amplify for mic recordings while lowering or leaving the incoming phone audio.

A search of Microphone Boost starts by recommending using the Recording Audio troubleshooter, which came back "Troubleshooting couldn't identify the problem."
So if any more suggestions I would really appreciate- here is the new MP3 sample:

Dell laptop audio sample 2 with voice mail.mp3

(207 KiB) Downloaded 1 time

[michaeljshaw]

Actually scratch that last message- issues seem to be two things: de-press the Hi-Z line on the mixer, and then in App volume and preferences, lower the audio setting for whatever browser i'm using for incoming call (or zoom)...

thanks!

[jademan]

Actually scratch that last message- issues seem to be two things: de-press the Hi-Z line on the mixer, and then in App volume and preferences, lower the audio setting for whatever browser i'm using for incoming call (or zoom)...

thanks!

If you are using Audacity to record Zoom calls you will be one of only a very few who have been successful at this. If you need a recording of a Zoom meeting, I understand you can get these from Zoom. Good luck!

[michaeljshaw]

@Jademan yes, you are right!
I haven't figured out how to record a zoom call on Audacity since the various updates Zoom has had...
I was able to do it back in the spring, but not now.
But I did figure out how to get the audio from Zoom using their recording option.