Microphone is over sensitive

[Memieko]

I was recently trying record voice clips for something online...At first my microphone worked perfectly and it was that way for a while, but then suddenly it started being over sensitive with the recording and creates a "buzzing" noise whenever the voice gets mildly high when before it took a lot of sound to do it. This is an example of what it does: http://tindeck.com/listen/vdhc (note this was done at 0 input volume)

It used to be where all I had to do was replug my microphone and start a new audacity project. It was like that for a while until finally it doesn't matter what I do I can't get it to work. I have tried changing the input volume way down and it still does it. I even tried reinstalling Audacity to my computer and still nothing. I am not sure if this it's mic or Audacity itself.

I actually record from a Logitech Webcam which is this exact model: http://fancy-shoppe.com/images/item/Log ... C-2494.jpg

I don't really know what to do from here...

[bgravato]

What's your operating system? Which version of Audacity do you have?

[Memieko]

I have Windows 7 and my computer is a Dell. I am currently using Audacity 1.3 Beta for recording.

[steve]

If you use Skype or other voip programs, make sure they are not running in the background.
Then open the recording properties by right-clicking over the speaker icon in the System Tray > Recording Devices
and set the recording level.

[Memieko]

I do use Skype and it did improve once I turned Skype off, but it's still over sensitive.

What do you mean by recording properties? Are you referring to my computer, Skype, or Audacity? I'm not quite sure where it is..

[bgravato]

I do use Skype and it did improve once I turned Skype off, but it's still over sensitive.

What do you mean by recording properties? Are you referring to my computer, Skype, or Audacity? I'm not quite sure where it is..

Steve meant your computer's sound control panel as stated in:

right-clicking over the speaker icon in the System Tray

[kozikowski]

That business where it works for a while and then turns to trash could be Windows Enhanced Services.

Windows Enhanced Sound
http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 79&start=0

Koz

[Memieko]

Oh sorry I'm new Windows 7, I only got it because my computer was replaced. Anyhow, I did everything mentioned in the end of the topic, but it still doesn't seem to fix my problem. I'm pretty sure I had those settings before it started acting up. After ending Skype and Yahoo's process it seemed a little less sensitive, I can at least yell slightly without it creating that noise, but for the type of recording I do I need lower sensitivity.

[kozikowski]

The sound in the webcam may be automatic and there isn't much you can do about it.

The analog voice signals get turned into a digital signal inside the camera and it's usual to have to change it there. That's where it's overloading. Did the webcam come with software? All the cameras we use at work come with custom software packages that allow you to change things. If you didn't run the custom package, you get the default settings which may be too loud for your voice.

Koz

[Memieko]

Yeah, I have a disc to install the webcam itself, I'll try that method as well. I just don't understand why it was working perfectly then suddenly began to give me problems.