Windows 7: Microphone issue (Too quiet, even on max settings)

Hi Mr. Grimhowl...

I have virtually identical problem. I'm using a mic which recorded superbly under XP Pro on my old set-up.

It's now plugged in to my new PC (front mic) under Win 7, but even with input level full and boost at 30dB the recorded sound level is far too low (and the noise level far too high) to make any decent recordings.

I used to be able to play/sing comfortably 2-3 feet away from mic; now I have to be a couple of inches to get anything more than a whisper.

I tried various driver downloads, and using the rear mic socket but nothing has improved it yet.



My new PC is an AMD AthlonII X4 630 (with onboard sound I assume). And it looks as if I'm running VIA High Definition Audio software.

Any ideas please.... Recording is a significant part of my life...

Cheers, Dave T

Same problem here. I guess there is no "cure" for this. I've tried all sorts of mics - same result. Apparently it just won't work well under Win 7 64 (and maybe 32). Honestly, I can't even make a decent skype call since I am forced to have (literally) my mic in my mouth so the other side can hear something. I think the problem lies within Realtek's driver for 64bit systems... or just Windows 7 alone... no idea. What i DO know is under vista 32 and XP my mic sounded great!

I also have the same problem but it only started happening recently.

System specs are in profile I think...
Anyway, so far I've tried uninstalling my Creative X-FI Titanium fatality pro and enabling onboard from my mobo (Gigabyte P55A-UD4P) and it was exactly the same...

So I thought it might be my headphones?
Newegg.com, new headphones = SAME PROBLEM...

So, looking at the variables, it seems the WIN 7 INSTALL has somehow gone sour? It was ok originally, no new drivers have been installed. The only thing installed has been windows UPDATES... Could this be the culprit?

My next step (as much as I hate to) is to do an entire new install of Windows 7.

If that fails, I'll go BACK to XP and see if the problems still exists. Pain in the hiney but I seriously feel it's a Windows 7 issue and would like to prove it. It's an obvious issue with Windows 7....look how easy it is to find posts where people are having the same issue. LOTS of people.

FIXED!

Deleted all my sound devices in device manager, downloaded and installed the latest sound drivers for my Asus P7P55D MB and it will overdrive the mike input now.

Umm.. i know its dead aleready Topic but i have same problem but unless like you guys.. i cant fix it.. so il post some pics and some info bout my problem

Klikk Computer Store Malta - Shop and buy for laptops, computers, related parts and consumables

This is the Headset i have.. (random googled link)

Idk why but i have latest realtek audio manager...[old pc had that so i got that on my new pc and windows also..so im not sure if i have right driver...]

But for some reason when i plugin my mic and headphones.. headphones work fine.. but microphone is extremly quiet.. and on/off buttom on headset.. for mic on/off i mean.. instead of muting the microphone.. every down i up/down switch it lowers volume a bit..

Anyways please help me.. i wanna rly get fixed...

UPDATE-
Things ive tried..
About Quiet Volume -
Checked if muted(which wasent muted)
Maxed Mic volume
Enable Boost.
Still too quiet unless i put it extremly close to mouth

About Button-
No Freaking idea whats the problem...

Some Pictured info.


[Direct Link - http://img828.imageshack.us/f/12943008.png/ ]

Me too.

I have a Logitech headset that works fine on my old HP laptop running XP SP3 with SoundMAX drivers.

I bought a new Dell laptop running 7 SP1 with Realtek High Definition Audio drivers. The mic-in recording level is now very low. However the built-in mic recording level is OK. I've not tried to re-install the drivers yet, just relieved it is not just me with the problem and that there may be a fix.

I have a question though. In the Control Panel->Sound->Recording dialog box should I see 2 microphone entries (1 for built-in and 1 for mic-in)? I only ever see one entry. Which is not great as the 2 mics have such different characteristics, I would want to set them up differently.

Regards, rw

I have had this issue a while. Have tried everything.

I thought it must be an issue with my motherboard. So today decided to get a sound card. Picked one up Audigy SE. Plugged it in, disabled on board. Still low mic Volume. Googled and ended up here, which is cool as I use these forums a lot.

It has to be a Windows 7 issue. We need some fix that would allow us to slide that Mic Boost greater than 30db. 100db boost would be cool. I have no idea how to do that though.

Just googling a bit and found lots of people having this issue, but then I searched these forums.
This thread has been hit up 15k times on and this one Microphone volume too low near 40,000 times. SO that makes it definitely not something we are doing wrong or faulty equipment but rather something is up with Windows 7, 64bit if not 32bit too. Yet they seem unaware of the issue. We need to start letting them know about it.

Is there any answer to this? I have updated drivers, max mic boost, etc. with no luck so far.

Dougal

Hi, This is not just an issue with Windows 7, I have exactly the same problem when using Windows XP Pro, normal audio playback is perfect but unable to hear anything from Microphone unless I shout - even then all I hear is a whisper.

James

This may not be a problem with your Windows 7. This microphone works fine with Win XP for me. There are also thousands of searches for this topic, so there is a problem somewhere.