Despite the constant development of advanced technologies and the widespread use of calls made via the Internet, the audibility of the interlocutor is often very far from ideal. And the reason here is not in the quality of the connection itself, not in the technology of digital audio communication VoIP and not in such popular communication programs as Skype, Viber and WhatsApp. Inexpensive Chinese-made headsets and microphones, combined with the poor quality of the audio input built into laptops and computers, most often representing an XLR connector, are not able to provide the necessary degree of volume and decent communication quality.
What are the microphones
According to the principle of operation, microphones are:
- dynamic - a budget but not sensitive option;
- condenser - have a rather limited range, the sensitivity is poor;
- electret - a type of capacitor (characterized by compactness, affordable cost and an acceptable level of sensitivity).
By the type of connection, all such devices are usually divided into the following types:
- mounted directly into the webcam;
- ordinary analog with mini-jack (connected via a standard audio input connector);
- USB microphones - do not have the inherent analog flexibility, but the functionality of some (expensive) models is quite capable of meeting the expectations of most modern users.
Devices with an analog input are the most common type. Now they are presented in a wide variety of configurations. You can find models on a stick, on a convenient stand, as well as combined with headphones.
Among microphones with a mini-Jack 3.5 connector, you can find relatively sensitive models suitable for most built-in inputs. Connecting devices of this type is carried out through the appropriate computer jack. The required level of audibility can provide a good audio input in a laptop or sound card. Insufficient sensitivity or a significant indicator of intrinsic noise will negatively affect the sound of the device.
Many USB microphones (in particular, expensive models) have a built-in preamplifier that fits the microphone capsule and provides an adequate level of sound. Similar devices are mounted in webcams, when the latter do not have wires with a mini-Jack connector. The best option for providing good sound is a USB microphone. In order for a device with a mini-Jack connector to work efficiently, it is necessary to make more thorough settings.
Reasons for a quiet microphone sound
The main reasons why the microphone began to work quietly include:
- poor contact between the speakers of the speakers (headphones) and the sound card;
- incorrect driver version or its complete absence;
- incorrect adjustment of the playback volume level.
How to amplify sound using programs
If your computer has a good sound card, turning on the volume will help to increase the volume to the required level. To use this method, you need to right-click on the speaker icon, which can be found on the taskbar, and select the "Recording Devices" section. Or you can also go by right-clicking on the "Start" button (or by pressing the Win + X combination) in the "Control Panel", then in "Hardware and Sound", after which you need to select "Sound" (tab "Recording") . Next, in the properties you need to select the tab "Levels" (there are settings for sound amplification).
The Microphone slider is the main sensitivity control for such a device. Using the microphone gain slider, you can increase the volume of the sound already received thanks to the sound card to the required level. Both sliders are recommended to be set to maximum and click "Ok".
ATTENTION! In some cases, it is advisable to carry out the correction exclusively using the "Microphone" slider. This will avoid additional software amplification of existing noise.
In some cases, the Mic Boost option may be an alternative to the usual sliders. Sometimes both of these options are missing. It all depends on the sound card driver.
It should be borne in mind that along with useful sound, noise amplification will also be observed. This will not particularly affect the quality of communication via Skype, but it will create tangible problems in the process of recording vocals, podcasts and video lessons. It is unlikely that anyone would want to hear an incessant hiss, even with a very pleasant voice.
You can also use Sound Booster to enhance the sound volume in the operating system. Its main advantages:
- after installation it will be launched every time you turn on the laptop or computer;
- with its help you can increase the volume by 500% (if compared with the usual sound);
- supports the most popular programs, games and players.
IMPORTANT! Enhancing microphone sensitivity does not guarantee high quality recording. The more clearly the background sounds are heard, the more they will sound on the recording. It is important to find a balance between microphone sensitivity, noise, noise and surrounding sounds so that during recording processing it would be possible to eliminate unnecessary elements without difficulty.
Other ways to amplify microphone sound
Sometimes an audio card supports filtering directly when receiving sound. Such filters can be found in the microphone properties on the "Improvements" tab.
IMPORTANT! The prerequisites for displaying the "Improvements" tab are a connected microphone and sound card filter support.
The main sound processing filters found on the bulk of modern sound cards include the following:
- “Noise reduction” - helps to reduce the noise level in the presence of extraneous noise interference during a conversation. It is useful when communicating via Skype, but it is not recommended to use it during voice recording.
- "Echo cancellation" - should reduce the echo in those cases when amplified sound from the microphone is reproduced through the speakers, but in practice, as a rule, it does not work very well.
- "Removing the permanent component" - will help if the sound is "choked" due to an excessively sensitive microphone. When reading text and recording podcasts, this filter is best avoided.
The set of filters may vary depending on the installed driver and the model of the sound card.
If none of the above methods have been able to adjust the volume of such a device to the desired level, you can purchase a webcam with a microphone already mounted in it. Or purchase a separate sound card with a microphone input of acceptable quality.
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