Microphone problem Essence STX

[JJMaarse]

Hi,

 

I have an Asus Xonar Essence STX soundcard and there is a problem with the microphone input in Windows 7 (64-bit).

 

My microphone is a studio condensator mic, which is plugged into a microphone pre-amp. The pre-amp is plugged into the soundcard's microphone port with a 6.3mm jack.

 

This works great  on some applications: using Adobe Premier Pro or Audition to record audio works fine. Also when I go to input devices in Windows the "green bar" next to microphone lights up when I make a sound and also "listening to the device" gives me an excellent audio signal.

 

However on some applications the audio level of my microphone is extremely low. So low that when I turn up my pre-amp all the way it's still barely audible, but by then the clipping is so bad you can't make out the words. The issue seems to have something to do with Windows audio session (WASAPI), because when I use Mumble in compatibility mode for win XP I can use Direct sound and the audio is fine, but when I use mumble normally I can only use WASAPI and the above problem occurs.

 

Using the Asus drivers or the Unified Xonar drivers makes no difference.

 

Please help! I have looked everywhere and can't find the solution.

 

Audio playback on the stx is awesome by the way

[Gorgatron]

Have you tried onboard or another computer/soundcard/motherboard?

[t0wer]

is the program's mic volume up?

[JJMaarse]

Have you tried onboard or another computer/soundcard/motherboard?

Onboard works fine, but I do want my soundcard to work properly and the ADC in the onboard soundcard is not that great (meaning my voice will sound different).

 

is the program's mic volume up?

Yes, 100%. And like I said, using Direct Sound works perfectly fine, but when I try to use programs like Teamspeak, Xsplt or EG the in-game voice in ArmA 2 the volume is very low. Steam in-game voice however does work.

[Gorgatron]

Onboard works fine, but I do want my soundcard to work properly and the ADC in the onboard soundcard is not that great (meaning my voice will sound different).

 

Yes, 100%. And like I said, using Direct Sound works perfectly fine, but when I try to use programs like Teamspeak, Xsplt or EG the in-game voice in ArmA 2 the volume is very low. Steam in-game voice however does work.

Most of those programs like mumble or teamspeak should allow you to increase your inbound volume. +2/3 dB should do it at most

[ShearMe]

Yes, 100%. And like I said, using Direct Sound works perfectly fine, but when I try to use programs like Teamspeak, Xsplt or EG the in-game voice in ArmA 2 the volume is very low. Steam in-game voice however does work.

 

Sounds like a problem with those programs or windows, not your hardware. 

[JJMaarse]

Most of those programs like mumble or teamspeak should allow you to increase your inbound volume. +2/3 dB should do it at most

 

Thanks for trying to help, but this issue is a little more complicated. With the mic volume at 100% and maximum gain it still doesn't help. (mind you i can set the gain to +24dB on my amp). Also weird that the volume is perfect in Direct Sound without extra amplification, so it must have something to do with wasapi not the program settings.

[Gorgatron]

Thanks for trying to help, but this issue is a little more complicated. With the mic volume at 100% and maximum gain it still doesn't help. (mind you i can set the gain to +24dB on my amp). Also weird that the volume is perfect in Direct Sound without extra amplification, so it must have something to do with wasapi not the program settings.

Could be. +24dB on your amp sounds like rape.

[ShearMe]

 (mind you i can set the gain to +24dB on my amp)

 

Dayumn, son knows what's up.