Microphone noise while Skyping

[SenpaiSilver]

Hi !

Since I installed Windows 8 Pro (yesterday), I'm having some noise when using my mic and people can't hear me sometimes because I'm not talking loud enough (but I did change my way of speaking).

I'm using my on board sound card on my Asus Sabertooth P67 motherboard, my mic is a Logitech Analog Microphone: http://csimg.webmarchand.com/srv/FR/000005261095536/T/340x340/C/FFFFFF/url/logitech-1095536.jpg

I have tried installing the Realtek drivers, but I can't change anything in the settings for the sound to be noiseless.

I have amplified it by 10dB and activated the noise suppression, but it doesn't change anything.

The noise is described as wind and sometimes like if I was far away from the microphone.

I'm thinking on buying an Asus Xonar DGX, will it help with noise suppression ?

What should I know ?

Also my other specs if it matters:

Intel i7 3770K

4*4Gb Corsair Vengeance DDR3

Two way SLI GTX 560Ti Twin Frozr II

Windows 8 Pro 64bits

Thanks.

[Guest]

Which port on your PC are you using? Front IO? Most likely either dirty power, poor grounds or bad connections on your headphones - best way to fix the is try the headphones in different computers and if you have a spare power supply swap it out and see if that makes a difference. If not then its most likely your case having a bad ground and there isn't much you can do unless you know what you're doing.

[SenpaiSilver]

Thanks for replying.

It's plugged in the back IO, I just tried it on the front panel but it's the same story.

It used to be alright yesterday before switching to Windows 8.

I've tried it on my HP Elitebook 8540p running Ubuntu, I had to amplify the input to be able to hear myself, after amplifying I had some noise.

I don't have a spare powersupply to test, I'm using a Cooler Master HAF X case and a Corsair 750W powersupply.

[Guest]

Changed with the installation of 8? That's an odd one. Did you have any problems with the mic previously?

[Ghost]

Go to skype settings and set the audio levels manually.

[Torand]

First of all, not to sound derogatory at all, but when ever you boost an audio signal by any amount of db gain, everything is amplified. Noise, background, everything you want and what you dont.

Simple tips:

Keep the gain as low as you can to isolate your voice from the background so the DAC doesn't pickup and amp noise along with your voice, this means putting it as close to the sound source, in this case your mouth, as possible without distortion/breathing/popping etc.

Try a different mic. The smaller the diaphragm is (the bit which gets the sound) the worse your output will be, try a few other mic's if you can to see if that is the problem. If so, depending on your budget you can go low end: Samson Go Clip On, or anything by Blue or Samson. Or high end: AudioTechnika AT2020, Blue Snowball, etc.

As you suggested, a different sound card. Often a good choice anyway as onboard audio is usually pretty poor. I'm sure you will benefit in more ways than just solving your mic issue. A sound card is something seen more of an investment as well as audio technology hasn't really changed from its standards for a good 10 years, just improving on what we already have.

If you need anymore help or to go more in depth, always here to help :)

[SenpaiSilver]

Changed with the installation of 8? That's an odd one. Did you have any problems with the mic previously?

Apparently yes, it's weird, but according to my Skype contacts, the quality worse than before.

Go to skype settings and set the audio levels manually.

I have set the input and output levels manually on Skype, the mic level is set to maximum.

First of all' date=' not to sound derogatory at all, but when ever you boost an audio signal by any amount of db gain, everything is amplified. Noise, background, everything you want and what you dont. Simple tips: Keep the gain as low as you can to isolate your voice from the background so the DAC doesn't pickup and amp noise along with your voice, this means putting it as close to the sound source, in this case your mouth, as possible without distortion/breathing/popping etc. [/quote']

I understand, but we can't heard me at all if it's not amplified.

Try a different mic. The smaller the diaphragm is (the bit which gets the sound) the worse your output will be' date=' try a few other mic's if you can to see if that is the problem. If so, depending on your budget you can go low end: Samson Go Clip On, or anything by Blue or Samson.[/quote']

I'll be trying one or two tomorrow, I'll update the thread with results.

[Money]

Go to the Sounds menu in your Control Panel, then go to the Recording tab, then click your microphone and press Configure. Follow the directions and it should fix your problems.

[Guest]

What's the mic and how long have you had it? I think you may be in need of a new mic, have you got a friends you could borrow to double check it's the mic's issue?

[SenpaiSilver]

I borrowed a headset and tried with and without the USB soundcard and I didn't have any noise, I think it was a Logitech G330 headset.

If I must change my mic I'll have to get a desktop one since I really hate having one on headphones.

I also used the USB sound card that came with the G330 and I have absolutly no noise and I don't need to amplify the sound.

[Guest]

Looks like you're in the market for a new mic then. Cheaper than a PSU most likely would have been =P

[Money]

If you want a new mic I would recommend this one: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=mxl+006&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Incredibly simple to set up, fantastic quality.

[SenpaiSilver]

If you want a new mic I would recommend this one: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=mxl+006&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search= Incredibly simple to set up' date=' fantastic quality. [/quote']

Even with an integrated audio card ?