sound card - Why can't I record my microphone when audio is playing through my speakers?

05
2014-04
  • Miguel

    I have a Conexant High Definition SmartAudio 221 device in my Compaq Presario CQ-60 211DX, and I want to record a Cyberacoustics headset through it via a standard 3.5mm jack. When I do this normally, in Audacity, it's wonderful, with stereo sound and great volume/quality. Unfortunately if I have any type of sound playing through the speakers at the same time, the recording audio gets extremely quiet/unsensitive and you can mostly hear garbled up noises that seem to be my voiced mixed with whatever is coming out of the speakers. I have experienced this also with the default sound recorded in Windows 7, and in Linux, so I believe it is a sound card issue.

    My guess is I need to configure it so it will keep the signals straight, but I honestly have no idea how. Could, someone please point me in the right direction here?

    Thanks in advance! :)

    • Answers
  • tH0r

    Try the steps on the following webpage: Compaq Support : the part about the default microphone may be interesting for you.

    Or about directly muting the internal microphone: Disable Int. Mic

    If that doesn't help try this article about: Driver Problems (and check if the steps above work now).


    • Related Question

    audio - Why would my new SpeedLink USB microphone record a scratchy sound?
  • Edward Tanguay

    I bought a USB SpeedLink SL-8707-SSV Pure Voice microphone.

    When I record with it (audacity / windows sound recorder) it records a terrible scratching noise:

    alt text

    I've looked for drivers but on the company's website it says:

    Microphones don't require drivers. They will be configurated in the settings of your sound card.

    My computer:

    • P5QL PRO Motherboard (I assume the "audio card" is on the board)
    • Windows 7

    I've experienced no other sound problems with the audio.

    This is my first USB microphone (I've had always used the jack plug microphone).

    Is there something that I don't know about USB microphones or is this particular microphone just defect?


    • Related Answers
  • 8088

    Have you tried using Windows 7's "Set up a microphone" wizard? To access it, click start, type in microphone and click the link. It should walk you through positioning it correctly. setting the levels, etc, so that the sound comes through well. As far as I know, there isn't anything you're missing about USB microphones, although admittedly, I haven't used one before.

    wizard

  • John T

    It could just be simple background noise or interference.

    The microphone itself seems to be a great product. It may be very sensitive so it can pick up slight sounds, such as your computer running. You can try turning down the input volume to see if the noise degrades. The sound card where your microphone input is located can also pick up digital noise from other hardware in the system. Other electronic devices nearby may also be interfering. I'd try turning down the input volume first to experiment.