Computer problem RE: sound recorder

Factual Questions
1

I don’t know whether this is a problem with the sound recorder of microphone, but since no one I Zoom with has said anything about my voice sounding odd, I’m thinking it’s with sound recorder.

I could get Geek Squad to fix this for me, but then they will have the computer for a week, and least, and longer if it is sent back to the manufacturer-- what will eventually have to be done if it’s a hardware problem, but I really think it’s software.

It doesn’t record high sounds-- haven’t used a pitch-identifying tool to make sure, but it seems to be about above high C-- the C above middle C.

It’s not playback, because you can see on the monitor that the sounds are just not there. There’s a perfectly straight line on the display, as there would be for silence.

Deleted it, and redownloaded the drivers already.

Have not tried an external microphone, because I have one, but can’t find it.

It’s a new laptop I just got, kind of in an emergency when my old one developed display issues. It’s an HP Envy x360.

Anyone had experience with this? If not, I’ll take suggestions, and mods are welcome to move the topic as necessary.

2

High C is about 512 Hz. If the sample rate was less than 1000 Hz you would not see any sound recorded. But that would be just plain weird. But it may be worth checking the settings on the tool to be sure there isn’t some really odd setting that has crept in - like a silly small sample rate. Or perhaps check what sort of compression codec it thinks it is using.

3

You’re using the microphone built into the laptop or an external one?

Within the same recording, you’ll see waveforms for lower noises, right?

My WAG is the noise cancellation is misbehaving. Check the Bang & Olufsen app (if your Envy is like my HP work laptop) and see if it’s disabled.

4

I think I’ve seen really, really crummy wired earbud/mic sets at the dollar store. It might be a useful troubleshooting tool.

5

It seems to be the equalizer settings I get to in the Bang and Olufsen app. No time to monkey with it excessively right now, though. But thanks!