Recording audio shouldn’t be a big deal, right? Well, it is. We wish it was something as simple as setting up a mic and pressing the record button. Having a quality mic is great. Only if you know how to use it properly. What do you do when the microphone volume is low?
Distinct and understandable audio is crucial in music, videos, and podcasts. However, problems pop up now and then. The sound could bleed and come muffled. There could be a lot of wind noise and background sounds too. Either way, it helps know how to increase the microphone volume.
How to Increase the Microphone Volume
It’s okay if you’re struggling with your microphone volume. We all faced this problem. It’s pretty easy to sort this out on a Windows computer.
Step 1:
Go to the bottom right corner of your computer screen. There should be an audio symbol there. Right-click on it.
Step 2:
Open Sound settings. The option will appear as Recording Devices on a previous model.
Step 3:
You’ll notice a Microphone listed as an Input device. Click on Device properties.
Step 4:
Now use a slider to adjust the microphone’s volume.
Step 5:
Drag it to the very top to get maximum volume.
Keep reading for more tips. Especially if you’re still having trouble with the volume. These should resolve the issue.
Enable Microphone Access on Applications
Are you facing microphone troubles with a few apps in particular? In that case, they probably don’t have permission to use it. This typically happens after a software update. So all you need to do is enable microphone access again. Again, it takes a few simple steps.
Step 1:
Click on Start and press Settings,
Step 2:
Go to Privacy and select Microphone.
Step 3:
Now select Change and enable microphone access. You need to activate “Allow apps to access your microphone.”
You can also specify which apps can access the microphone. Just select which Microsoft Store apps need it. You can also give access to third-party applications. Simply ensure the “Allow desktop apps to access your microphone” is activated.
What can you do if others can’t hear you?
First up, you need to make sure you’re not muted. Trust us, it happens more often than you think. Then check if your headset is properly connected. A poor connection often leads to this problem. Also, make sure the default system isn’t set as the recording device. You should be good to go!
How to Boost the Microphone Volume
If your microphone volume seems too low, you can always try boosting it. The steps are similar to how you increase the volume. Go to Device Properties and select Additional Device Properties. You’ll find what you’re looking for here. This is the Microphone Properties windows. Here are the following steps.
Step 1:
Four tabs will pop up on the top. Select the Levels tab.
Step 2:
Adjust the slider under the Microphone Boost according to your need. If you want a boost, make sure it’s on the highest level.
Step 3:
Press on “OK.”
Test your microphone to make sure it’s working well. If the line on the bar is moving back and forth, then it is. However, there may be some other technical issue if it isn’t. No movement means the microphone isn’t picking up any audio signals.
Deactivate Enhancements to Increase Microphone Volume
Audio enhancements are pretty cool but they can crash while using third-party applications. These enhancements are activated by default. You should disable them as an added measure.
Step 1:
Find the Control Panel and go to Sound settings.
Step 2:
Click on the Sound control panel and press on Recording.
Step 3:
Click on the microphone you want to modify twice.
Step 4:
You’ll find the Enhancement option on the top panel. Just click on “Disable all sound effects” to get it sorted.
Activate Far Field Pickup
On the contrary, there’s one enhancement that can help you boost the microphone volume. Far-Field Pickup (FFP) picks up voices from larger distances. If you think your microphone volume is too low, then enable this feature. The steps you need to take are similar to the ones above. Just click on the checkbox next to FFP.
Stop Application Interferences
There’s an option that enables applications to take control of the microphone. There’s a benefit to this. You don’t have to change volumes separately. The problem is that the application volume takes precedence. So even if you change the system settings, it won’t make a difference.
Follow these steps to solve the problem.
Step 1:
Go to the Control Panel and click on Sound settings.
Step 2:
Press the Sound setting and tap on Recording.
Step 3:
Click on the microphone you’re using twice.
Step 4:
Now press on the Advanced tab from the panel at the top. There’s this option called “Exclusive mode.” From there, untick “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.”
Switch to DVD Quality
Now if you think the audio quality is poor then you can change the bitrate of your microphone. Mind you, this means the audio size will be larger. These files will take more space and will require more data while transferring. The difference isn’t that significant though.
Again, follow the steps above and pick the “Advanced” tab at the top of the panel. Click on the drop-down menu under “Default Format” and you’ll find the option you’re looking for. Select a higher bitrate to improve the quality of your audio. Select 16 bit (48000 Hz) for DVD quality.
Conclusion
All these methods above should help you solve the problem. Low volume is not a big deal. It can be easily sorted. If none of these works, there’s a high chance it’s a hardware issue. A damaged mic could result in low volume. Hope you know how to increase mic volume now!
You may also like to read: How to Use Phone as Microphone.
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