Author Topic: How do you get a microphone to work on your desktop? (Read 5880 times)

Traditional Guy 20 · « **on:** December 23, 2013, 10:34:49 PM »

Alright I have a Windows Vista computer and have a cheap desktop microphone that has been plugged into the port but there seems to be no sound. I've adjusted the volume on it to 100 and put the boost to 0 but there still is no sound coming out. I have checked my speakers.

Can someone please help this computer problem of mine?

StCeciliasGirl · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2013, 10:53:26 PM »

might be a bad sound card, but make sure mic's plugged into line in (not headphones) port; it's green, but if sound card is really old, you might have to try other port. Then go to control panel, Sound and Audio, and make sure "Mic in" isn't muted (it often is, no idea why, maybe security).

otherwise, might try another mic to make sure it's not the mic that's bad (they can be junk).

finally, if a few mics fail, I'd guess sound card is the problem. (They've made really cheap ones in the past.) If you're attached to your computer, maybe look in a pawn shop or 2nd-hand store for a sound card. You'd be surprised at what people pawn this time of year.

Traditional Guy 20 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2013, 10:56:40 PM »

It is in the right port and I did check already to see the mic sound was all the way up. When I tested the mic before it showed a bunch of static but my voice was not heard.

I guess it is a bad mic and needs to go?

Vladimir · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2013, 11:08:12 PM »

Whether or not you can solve this problem you might consider investing (and it wouldn't require that much saving up) in purchasing a laptop that has webcam and microphone built-in. There's bound to be good sales after Christmas and the New Year. It's a lot more convenient. Just make sure that you purchase one with some warranty. I'm certain that there will be laptops for sale around $200-$300 that have everything you will need for video/voice-chat.

Merry Christmas.

shin · « **Reply #4 on:** December 24, 2013, 02:50:20 AM »

Quote

It is in the right port and I did check already to see the mic sound was all the way up. When I tested the mic before it showed a bunch of static but my voice was not heard.

I guess it is a bad mic and needs to go?

This is possible but I wouldn't say yes for sure and go buying a replacement just like that, perhaps borrow one from a friend and test it out in the same spot after trying some other tests -- that'll help determine whether it's the microphone or not itself that's the problem.

Just like the others said, make sure it's plugged into the right port (one can be mistaken), make sure the volume's set right, make sure your recording program is set to monitor the right input.

Test out speaking into it from different distances and at different volumes, and it'd be easier done with headphones on rather than speakers to avoid a feedback loop.