Microphone suddenly very quiet with both USB and 3.5mm microphones.

[malrats]

I'm completely stumped. Everything was fine and now suddenly no matter what I plug in, generally even with +10db or more of mic gain, my microphone is really quiet. It's much worse with 3.5mm, though. I tried buying a USB sound card and it was just as quiet in that, maybe worse. I've tested with maybe 6-7 different headsets and microphones now, so it's safe to say that they're not the problem.

I just have onboard Realtek audio on a Gigabyte Z87X-UD3H. I feel as if I've tried everything at this point (shy of an internal sound card) and nothing is working. It's driving me nuts.

I've done all manners of troubleshooting including sensitivity and gain, uninstalling and reinstalling drivers, separating front and rear microphone jacks in Realtek settings, etc.

Anyone have any ideas? There's also now a nasty high-pitched sound coming through on what does manage to record (unless I apply noise suppression).

 

[Yamitime]

Have you checked the levels in recording devices? (right click on speaker icon bottom right /select recording devices /select the device and properties .

 

[malrats]

Have you checked the levels in recording devices? (right click on speaker icon bottom right /select recording devices /select the device and properties .

Yes, absolutely. That's always the first thing I check.

And with all mics that I plug in, the little green meter next to the device only even moves either one line at best, maybe 2-3 if I yell really loudly into the microphone.

 

[Yamitime]

Have you checked the levels in recording devices? (right click on speaker icon bottom right /select recording devices /select the device and properties .

Yes, absolutely. That's always the first thing I check.

And with all mics that I plug in, the little green meter next to the device only even moves either one line at best, maybe 2-3 if I yell really loudly into the microphone.

click on levels and turn it up to 100

 

[malrats]

Have you checked the levels in recording devices? (right click on speaker icon bottom right /select recording devices /select the device and properties .

Yes, absolutely. That's always the first thing I check.

And with all mics that I plug in, the little green meter next to the device only even moves either one line at best, maybe 2-3 if I yell really loudly into the microphone.

click on levels and turn it up to 100

They're all up to 100. I also increase the gain as necessary and it's still quiet.

 

[Yamitime]

Have you checked the levels in recording devices? (right click on speaker icon bottom right /select recording devices /select the device and properties .

Yes, absolutely. That's always the first thing I check.

And with all mics that I plug in, the little green meter next to the device only even moves either one line at best, maybe 2-3 if I yell really loudly into the microphone.

click on levels and turn it up to 100

They're all up to 100. I also increase the gain as necessary and it's still quiet.

uncheck the box that says allow applications to take exclusive control

 

[malrats]

Have you checked the levels in recording devices? (right click on speaker icon bottom right /select recording devices /select the device and properties .

Yes, absolutely. That's always the first thing I check.

And with all mics that I plug in, the little green meter next to the device only even moves either one line at best, maybe 2-3 if I yell really loudly into the microphone.

click on levels and turn it up to 100

They're all up to 100. I also increase the gain as necessary and it's still quiet.

uncheck the box that says allow applications to take exclusive control

That's already done, too. Pretty much all of these little things to try, I've done over and over. I just don't know what's wrong. I really don't think it's a setting in Windows, honestly. 🙁

 

[Yamitime]

Have you checked the levels in recording devices? (right click on speaker icon bottom right /select recording devices /select the device and properties .

Yes, absolutely. That's always the first thing I check.

And with all mics that I plug in, the little green meter next to the device only even moves either one line at best, maybe 2-3 if I yell really loudly into the microphone.

click on levels and turn it up to 100

They're all up to 100. I also increase the gain as necessary and it's still quiet.

uncheck the box that says allow applications to take exclusive control

That's already done, too. Pretty much all of these little things to try, I've done over and over. I just don't know what's wrong. I really don't think it's a setting in Windows, honestly. 🙁

Sorry I couldnt help .

 

[malrats]

Have you checked the levels in recording devices? (right click on speaker icon bottom right /select recording devices /select the device and properties .

Yes, absolutely. That's always the first thing I check.

And with all mics that I plug in, the little green meter next to the device only even moves either one line at best, maybe 2-3 if I yell really loudly into the microphone.

click on levels and turn it up to 100

They're all up to 100. I also increase the gain as necessary and it's still quiet.

uncheck the box that says allow applications to take exclusive control

That's already done, too. Pretty much all of these little things to try, I've done over and over. I just don't know what's wrong. I really don't think it's a setting in Windows, honestly. 🙁

Sorry I couldnt help .

It's okay. Thank you anyway.

 

[Yamitime]

It has to be the cable .

 

[malrats]

It has to be the cable .

6-7 different cables across just as many devices? I just don't see it.

 

[Yamitime]

It has to be the cable .

6-7 different cables across just as many devices? I just don't see it.

Yes i agree its not cabling if you have tried others sorry.

 

[Yamitime]

Have you had a recent windows update that updated the realtec audio ?

 

[malrats]

No, i haven't. And then the most recent one from my mobo manufacturer is 2015 or so, so I downloaded Realtek's latest 1/2017 driver from their site and it made no difference.

I wonder if a sound card would help. Though that doesn't explain why USB microphones are so quiet, as well.