Computer sound query

[Andy Burns]

That'll be this link ...

[Martin Brown]

A likely cause of trouble is mismatched microphone impedance to the PC.

I think the PC is expecting a relatively high impedance fairly high output output cheap xtal mike. If you give it something else then the mismatch can show as much reduced amplitude and or distortion.

I ran into it with a high end transmitting mike and a cheap and nasty karaoke set. The two units were utterly incompatible. I had to put an appropriate preamp in between them to make the pro audio gear work with the nasty consumer electronics. It only really worked right with Maplins cheapest ever xtal mike. But I got it close enough to be OK.

[Andy Burns]

I don't think that describes my setup or Bert's, neither of which are using a PC's mic input.

either this

plus this

or this

In my case the webcam audio good, in Bert's it's bad ...

[The Natural Philosopher]

Start off by installing something like 'audacity' and make a sound recording from that to eliminate the code you are currently using.

IME even a cheap microphone on a USB web cam is streets ahead of old fashioned mics from the dark ages..

[Brian Gaff (Sofa]

It would be instructive to try them on another machine and see what happens. It could be hardware related, ie mismatch of impedences if its analogue input for the audio. If its digital many drivers do have equalises these days, but first make sure the system equaliser and the one for the hard ware oar not attempting to do the job twice. I have to say, I've had best luck by using analogue mikes. Brian

[Brian Gaff (Sofa]

Often its with the computer sound card software. they do tend to assume tinny naff microphones on headsets. Brian

[Dave Plowman (News]

On a USB mic?

A crystal mic? Not seen one of those for ages. Most low priced ones are electret these days. And most PC mic inputs provide power for those.

Think that is going back to the days before computers. ;-)

[charles]

That depends on the model of 'dark ages' mic

[Dave Plowman (News]

Quite.

The most unobtrusive mic that is going to be close to the voice and cut down room acoustics and background noises to a minimum is a personal (lapel, etc) mic. As used near everywhere in TV. But for best results needs the frequency response tweaked due to being off axis. Usually some LF cut to get rid of chest resonances, and HF lift to get back the sibilants. Or even better a variable 'peak' at around 3 kHz.

[Andy Burns]

I did also buy a "lav" mic, maybe I opted for the wrong pickup pattern? It didn't sound any better through the external USB interface (or so I was told by colleagues).

[Dave Plowman (News]

Be interesting to know what Turnip thinks these web cam mics are - and how they differ from 'the dark ages'?

They may well have software to help them work better under this specialist use - but this has nothing to do with the mic itself. Which will normally be an electret. Which first became common in broadcast use some 50 years ago.

I'd also guess Turnip never watches TV where interviews with the interviewee being at home via a webcam are common. And therefore doesn't know how much the sound quality varies on these. Even before the link or whatever does its worst to it.

[charles]

A couple of weekends ago, I made a recording as an introduction to soemeone else's recording. I spent a long time experimenting with microphones since I was expected to appear in vision standing up. That was far too far away for the mic on the camera and I ended up with a headset radio mic. Yes, I could have used a mic ona standm but that would have been intrusive. The recipient was very happy with the result. It will be another 4 weeks before I get to see the resultant product. See

[Dave Plowman (News]

They're usually omni.

Best results I've had was using a Micron radio mic with a Tram TR50 (from my working days). The receiver having a balance line output. Fed that into a graphic equaliser and then into the sound card line input. Recording a Zoom meeting showed my audio to be as good as any - and far better than most.

But too much faff. ;-)

There are some cheap and small mixers around that accept a USB mic. And have EQ. But likely need to be fed to an analogue input on the PC. But not tried one.

[The Natural Philosopher]

I was thinking dark ages computer mics, not a ribbon mic!

[charles]

There are some with a USB output, but I decided too much bother (and expense).

[Dave Plowman (News]

Not really ideal if appearing in vision. Although very likely to sound better 'out of the box'.

If going for the very best sound quality, lapel mics are anything but ideal. But in this instance where it is only about 'legible' sound, I reckon them the least obtrusive compromise. There's also no reason why the response tweeks (approximate) shouldn't be built in, given every electret has at least impedance converting electronics - and a great deal more with a USB one.

[Andy Burns]

I ought to try making some recordings from the various mics I have available, to compare them myself, instead of relying on what other people have commented.

Maybe look at virtual mixer/eq software, e.g.

[charles]

it was a lightweight flesh coloured one (pinkish), so pretty invisible.

The problem witn lapel mics is that the volume varies as the 'performer' turns their head. That's why I hate them.

[Dave Plowman (News]

All the reports I've had say this won't work in real time. But please try it and see if you can find a work round for that. Reports said it added an echo. Same as some other I found (for free) (can't remember the name, not on this computer)

[Dave W]

Unfortunately I can't find it now. I saw it when I join Zoom meetings run by someone else - perhaps they have a different version (Windows

10).

On my own Zoom software, version 5.5.4 (Windows 8.1), the audio settings are:

Settings>Audio> Automatically adjust microphone volume on/off Suppress background noise auto/low/medium/high

Settings>Audio>>Advanced> Echo cancellation options auto/aggressive, Checkbox for 'Show in-meeting option to "Enable Original Sound" from microphone'. Info says "This option automatically disables Zoom noise suppression, removes high pass filtering, and removes automatic gain control. It is recommended for playing music and for studio-like environments with higher quality microphones, speakers, or audio interfaces. It is not recommended for use in noisy environments or for general meetings use.