I want to record my voice, using my mic, onto my computer. My mic is pluged in to where it should be. The problem is that my mic and speaker are acting as an amplifier. Even when I am not recording, ie, when I am simply sitting here, my mic is picking up the sound from everywhere in the room, from, and playing it through my speakers. Do you all get what I’m trying to say? Also along with this, it is making a loud humming sound. When I put my hand over the mic, the humming goes away. Yes, I know this is feedback. But how can I make this situation go away? Why is my mic and speakers acting as an amplifier?
Also, when I try to record, it does not record anything that I say into it.
You can answer here in this thread, and you can also reach my by the folling means…
…those are the two Instant Messenger things I have running right now. Please, anyone who can help me, I need you. This is very important. Thanks guys, and I look forward to hearing from you all soon!
Did your soundcard come with any software? Many come with some kind of mixer application which allows you to adjust the input level of the mic, and the output level of the speakers. If you found this you could turn down the speaker output while you were recording.
If not, why not just unplug your speakers when you make your recording, and unplug your mic when you listen to it?
If you’re running Windows (98, at least): Go to Start ->Programs ->Accessories ->Entertainment ->Volume Control. This will bring up a window that has a number of little scroll bars, all titled (such as CD Audio, Wave/Directsound, MIDI, and the like).
One of the categories should be “Microphone”… if you don’t see it, click on “Options” in the upper-left corner of the window, then “Properties”, which will bring up a small menu. One of the aspects of the menu will allow you to choose which devices are controlled via the Volume Control application. Select “Microphone”, then click on “OK”. This will make the “Microphone” category appear in the Volume Control window.
Once you find the “Microphone” scroll bar, slide it down until the feedback disappears. Sliding the bar down lowers the sensitivity of the microphone (while sliding it up - surprise! - increase the sensitivity). Unfortunately, this will also mean that you have to put your mouth closer to the microphone in order to be heard.
Keep in mind that if you need to get as close as, say, eight inches or so, try not to speak directly into the mic, as the force of the air leaving your mouth will cause distortions and “popping”. Instead, place the microphone a bit off to the side of your mouth, so it will still pick up the sound waves without getting hit by your breath. Another way to counter this would be to get a guard cap for your mic.
Further, if you don’t like having to sit close to your microphone, you can always try to invest in a more-expensive shotgun mic, which will not be as affected by ambient “side” noise as a normal mic.
It’s supposed to do that. They all do it like that. Each audio input and output has a mute checkbox for it, in my computer/multimedia controls, -or double-click on the speaker icon. Turn the speaker off and the microphone on when you’re recording, turn the microphone off and the speaker on the rest of the time. -->PC microphones should always be muted unless they’re being used to record something.
—If you have a pair, wearing some cheap studio-type headphones allows you to leave the speaker on, and hear exactly what’s being recorded without causing feedback (that’s why they do it like that…). Be warned, cheap piezo microphones have an amazing ability to only record what you didn’t want them to.
~
As to why it won’t record, I don’t know. What software are you using? Just the regular Windows media player/recorder, or something else? - MC
<slightly off>
I noticed in this situation that my microphone was picking up the hum of the fans in my computer, as transmitted to it through the desk, not just through the air. Might be a good idea to isolate it a bit with some padding. And (in my case at least) get a quieter computer…
</slightly off>
As noted already, the mic will pick up vibrations from your desk. And just about any noise in the vicinity. If your computer is on your desk try moving it to the floor, and make sure that it doesn’t touch the desk.
Another thing to note is that if the mic is in front of the speakers you may start a feedback loop. So get the mic behind the speakers if you can. You also will need to adjust the gain for the mic from the Volume control. This can help minimize the feedback as well.