Vista woes - can anybody help

CarlManchester · Post by **CarlManchester** » May 2nd, 2007, 1:57 pm

Hi all,

Have a new computer which is currently causing me a LibriVox hiatus, which is a bit glum-making. Have been trying to get tech support but not much joy so far, so maybe someone here can help.

My problem is that the microphone volume control in Vista just isn't working. I can set it to 0 or to 100 and I get the same audible but very quiet result.

The 20db boost does work, but then I get background hiss.

Anybody else come by the same problem? I am using a SoundBlaster x-Fi card and Audacity, if that's relevant.

By the way, anyone who wants to tell me I should be using a mac, you are wrong and that's also not helpful right now.

Thanks,
Carl.

jimmowatt · Post by **jimmowatt** » May 2nd, 2007, 2:42 pm

I don't have Vista so may not be helpful.
I would guess, from what you say, that the microphone isn't selected as the input device. If I have another device selected I can still hear the sound from the microphone if the volume levels are up high enough

Is there a section to choose what device you record from in Vista like there is in Windows - control panel/sounds and audio devices/audio/sound recording ?

Post by **ezwa** » May 3rd, 2007, 1:52 pm

Hi Carl,

I guess the volume 0 to 100 is what you find in Control Panel -> Sound -> Microphone -> Microphone properties -> Levels?
Have you tried Control Panel -> Sound Recognition Options -> Set up microphone -> ... ?
I'm not sure it will help.

Your microphone is the one selected in Audacity's preferences, isn't it?

WauloK · Post by **WauloK** » May 5th, 2007, 4:07 am

Try uninstalling and reinstalling the sound card drivers? Or get newer ones?

My XP has an issue where it randomly 'forgets' the MIC BOOST option. I start a recording in Audacity and the volume is very low. I go into the control panel for sound and disable then re-enable the MIC BOOST and go back to Audacity. Suddenly I'm recording properly again.. weird.