Low mic volume in Vista 64bit

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

Posted in Random Stuff | Comments

Having previously been an avid Skype user I decided to reinstall on my Vista ultimate 64bit laptop build. Download and software installation (version 3.6) went without issue, but making a Skype test call I could hardly hear myself. I made various changes to the settings including boosting the input without success.

I eventually found this blog post that had a solution way down at the bottom of the page. Change your recording quality from the default DVD/CD quality down to something like Dictation or Tape Recorder and HEY PRESTO (to quote the blog post) it works.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 20th, 2008 at 9:06 pm and is filed under Random Stuff. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Mats Bjorklund

You Sir, are a star!

I had the same problem on W7 (64 bit). I had troubles with input levels, and most importantly, the audio cut out and did not pick up until I had spoken for a few seconds, which made Skype useless to me.

I changed over to the "Tape Recorder Quality" sample rate setting, and now the audio is flawless, and I could even remove the input boost settings.

Thanks a million for solving a problem that had been frustrating me for the best part of a week!

Adrien

I'm so annoyed with technology. Things are supposed to get better with the latest version. I'm having the same problem and now I don't know what my sound card is or how to change it and make it work.

This kinda crap is ongoing. My Logitech digital camera is useless because of the incompatibility with Windows, now this problem. I am not all that savvy when it comes to computers but I must say that Windows XP Professional was my best computer experience. Maybe I'll switch to a Mac.

greattree

Fine, except I only find the options of "CD, DVD or Studio quality": There are no options for quality less than these. Don't know what went wrong, the 64 bit RC version of windows 7 worked fine --- all sorts of problems with the the final product when it came out. Originally using on board sound, but when that fell down and I couldn't fix it, I bought sound card. .....You guessed..........still no microphone volume. Seems there are lots out there with the same problem and no-one seems to have come up with a comprehensive fix....not even Microsoft. I am stuck trying to get a narrative onto a wildlife documentary and failing as a result of this.

Macbean

I've been experiencing the same problems that you are having--trying to record with a microphone and no volume. I have a brand new computer with windows 7. I've been searching the web like everyone else. I finally ran the microphone to full boost and under the speaker default format set it to 24 Bits, 44100 Hz (Studio Quality). I'm now getting a decent recording volume.

greattree

Thanks for the info. My setup only gives a box to tick for "Boost"- on or off, but I will try setting to 24 bits if I can. (Currently struggling to get Premiere to play timeline for more than about 3mins with HD before video starts for stutter - and gradually gets worse with time.)

matthewjoughin

Just to Update:
After installing Windows 7 RC1 (was on beta before) Skype no longer has the issues!

Matthew Joughin

i don't get those quality options in windows 7 x64 ?
CD Quality is the lowest they offer.
Any other ideas ?

AndrewWoody

I have windows 7 x64 and the options are the same, it may be down to the sound card you are using?

AGENT 007

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

Agile Sharepoint development by 21apps and Andrew Woodward MVP