Windows 7: Microphone volume unusably quiet under Win 7.

I have a frustrating recording problem - volume through my microphone is unacceptably poor under Win 7.

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 hearable, and the quality is rubbish.

I tried various driver downloads, and tried 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. I use Cool Edit Pro (now called Audition) as my interface to record and edit - which has always been first class; the problem is identical using Sound Recorder.

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

Cheers, Dave T, north of Scotland

Exactly what mic are you using? A regular "computer mic" or something such as a Shure SM58 "PA" mic or a Karaoke mic? If it's not a regular computer mic that is one problem, as it will need an external preamp.

Hi fireberd.

It is "a regular "computer mic" - very simple; with brand "Creative" and "3A700358" moulded on it. It surely needs no external pre-amp, power, whatever?
As I say, this same mic fed my previous XP-Pro set-up perfectly, without external pre-amp, going straight into the motherboard with onboard sound.

Surely this is a Win 7 problem...