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Mic Amplify?

Toasted_Toast
By Toasted_Toast
in Audio
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Hey guys! So I'm a complete newbie with sound so I was wondering if you guys can help me.

So here's my situation. I used to use Skype with an Xbox360 headset. They were cheap, and also they were the only mic I had around, and they did the job, so I used them. I also didn't really Skype that much. Fast forward to today. I'm finding myself using Skype and now Discord, pretty often. However, when I do Skype and Discord, the people I'm talking to would always say the same thing: "Your mic is really quiet." or "I can barely hear you." I Skype and Discord alot now so I went to find a solution to my low mic problem. I did everything I Googled, from changing Mic Properties and messing around with Control Panel to buying 2 other headsets with mics... the result was the same. My friend then suggested me to get a soundcard. I can make my mic louder with it, he says.

 

I searched about soundcards and watched Linus' video on them.

So here are my questions: (Please excuse me if I use any terminology incorrectly)

 

Question 1:

Will a soundcard/preamp solve the problem I'm having?

 

Question 2:

Is there an external soundcard/preamp that has a knobs that'll let me make my mic louder or softer? (From Linus' video it seems like an external one is the one I want, and the thought of turning a knob to boost or lower my mic volume sounds pretty cool.)

 

Question 3:

Could you guys recommend me a relatively cheap mic and external soundcard/preamp? (My friend already recommended me the AKG M220 for the headphones)

 

Question 4:

Just want your guys' opinion. Do you think it's worth all this hastle for just Skype? It's not like I'm making YouTube videos or streaming or anything like that... but on the other side, it doesn't hurt to have  "better" sound coming out of my speakers/headphones.

 

Thanks guys!

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Posted
1 minute ago, Toasted_Toast said:

Hey guys! So I'm a complete newbie with sound so I was wondering if you guys can help me.

So here's my situation. I used to use Skype with an Xbox360 headset. They were cheap, and also they were the only mic I had around, and they did the job, so I used them. I also didn't really Skype that much. Fast forward to today. I'm finding myself using Skype and now Discord, pretty often. However, when I do Skype and Discord, the people I'm talking to would always say the same thing: "Your mic is really quiet." or "I can barely hear you." I Skype and Discord alot now so I went to find a solution to my low mic problem. I did everything I Googled, from changing Mic Properties and messing around with Control Panel to buying 2 other headsets with mics... the result was the same. My friend then suggested me to get a soundcard. I can make my mic louder with it, he says.

 

I searched about soundcards and watched Linus' video on them.

So here are my questions: (Please excuse me if I use any terminology incorrectly)

 

Question 1:

Will a soundcard/preamp solve the problem I'm having?

 

Question 2:

Is there an external soundcard/preamp that has a knobs that'll let me make my mic louder or softer? (From Linus' video it seems like an external one is the one I want, and the thought of turning a knob to boost or lower my mic volume sounds pretty cool.)

 

Question 3:

Could you guys recommend me a relatively cheap mic and external soundcard/preamp? (My friend already recommended me the AKG M220 for the headphones)

 

Question 4:

Just want your guys' opinion. Do you think it's worth all this hastle for just Skype? It's not like I'm making YouTube videos or streaming or anything like that... but on the other side, it doesn't hurt to have  "better" sound coming out of my speakers/headphones.

 

Thanks guys!

a usb mic may solve your problem 

 

CPUFX 8320, Motherboard ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3 Socket AM3+ AMD, RAM g.skill ripjaws x series (2x8gb), GPUstrix gtx 970, Storage 500gb + 500gb + 250 ssd, PSU EVGA 600w B 80 PLUS BRONZE, Display(s) ASUS VG248QE 24"+ Hisense 24" + Vizio 24", Cooling Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, PC Part Picker  http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LFxQ23

 

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Posted (edited)
Just now, Pcinacan said:

a usb mic may solve your problem 

I would get good headphones and then a good mic. I could suggest you a good one in your price range if you tell me your max. (It may work, not 100%)

Edited by Pcinacan
 

CPUFX 8320, Motherboard ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3 Socket AM3+ AMD, RAM g.skill ripjaws x series (2x8gb), GPUstrix gtx 970, Storage 500gb + 500gb + 250 ssd, PSU EVGA 600w B 80 PLUS BRONZE, Display(s) ASUS VG248QE 24"+ Hisense 24" + Vizio 24", Cooling Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, PC Part Picker  http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LFxQ23

 

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1 hour ago, Pcinacan said:

I would get good headphones and then a good mic. I could suggest you a good one in your price range if you tell me your max. (It may work, not 100%)

So the headsets that I tried were USB too and.. like I mentioned.. it didn't fix it... so sorta hesitant on trying just a USB mic.

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Posted
3 hours ago, Toasted_Toast said:

So the headsets that I tried were USB too and.. like I mentioned.. it didn't fix it... so sorta hesitant on trying just a USB mic.

I dont know how an amp could help then, it may just be your computer is being weird. I would recommend going to a place that will let you return your products and getting an amp and see if it works.

 

CPUFX 8320, Motherboard ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3 Socket AM3+ AMD, RAM g.skill ripjaws x series (2x8gb), GPUstrix gtx 970, Storage 500gb + 500gb + 250 ssd, PSU EVGA 600w B 80 PLUS BRONZE, Display(s) ASUS VG248QE 24"+ Hisense 24" + Vizio 24", Cooling Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, PC Part Picker  http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LFxQ23

 

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Posted

I don't believe a sound card will fix your issue you're having, perhaps just get a new headset and make sure your drivers are up to date.

i5 4590 @ Stock, XFX R9 290!, HyperX Beast 4x8GB  @1600, 850 EVO 120gb, WD Caviar Blue 1TB, , Asrock H97m Pro 4 , Fractal Design Define R4, Windows 10

 

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