Microphones (READ ONLY ARCHIVE)

[Zchild]

Hello -- I just purchased an AK5370 and I have been having some problems. I have 3 computers at home, but would ideally like to use it on my laptop. Here is what happens on each computer:

Desktop #1: Mic picks up lots of static background noise, even when Wav input is muted (and everything else is muted). No other programs were running, computer had just been reset.

Desktop #2: Mic works fine, apart from a little bit of reverb sound.

Laptop: Mic does not pick up (much) background noise, but when I speak into it, the mic is creating some annoying popping/clicking noises. This only happens when I am speaking, not when the room is silent. I tried changing all of the obvious settings, to no avail. Converting the sound byte does not work unless I substantially reduce the quality.


All machines are running XP. I am using the Windows Sound Recorder program. Does anyone have suggestions? Should I try installing some new drivers? If so, what type of drivers? USB?


Any help would be much appreciated. I would much rather fix this problem than have to return the mic and pay a 15% restocking fee.

Thanks.

[radioguy]

I just bought the same unit and I find that it is quite clean. But I did notice on my first test, that tt is very sensitive to any breathing or percussive poping when speaking into the end of the microphone. But this can be avoided just by backing away from the microphone -- about eight to ten inches. If you want to talk closer, you should improvise some kind of "wind sock" over the end of the mic. The kind of porous foam you find on ear buds or small headphones would work find. just hold it in place over the end of the mic with a small elastic.

[Mona]

I would like you to test your microphone on Windows Sound Recorder on your PC. Let us know the results.

1. Click Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Entertainment and choose Sound recorder

2. Click record button and speak to see whether the green line moves to indicate the application picks the sound.

3. Click on Stop button and Play to check the sound. Make sure the device is selected

4. Click Edit Then Audio Properties and make sure that the correct device is listed as preferred device for Sound Recording.

[Zchild]

Radioguy: Thank you for the suggestion, but I am sure that this is not the problem.

Mona: I have compiled some files for you to listen to so that you can hopefully better diagnose the problem. Please refer to the following 3 audio recordings I created with the Windows Sound Recorder (reading a section from The Hobbit):

http://www.uvm.edu/~khclark/PCM_48khz_16b_mono.wav
http://www.uvm.edu/~khclark/PCM_48khz_16b_stereo.wav
http://www.uvm.edu/~khclark/MP3_56kbps_24hz_stereo.mp3

Please refer to the following screen-shot for a visual of my audio settings:

http://www.uvm.edu/~khclark/settings.jpg


Please note that I am using WinXP and I believe my computer is in good working order (no spyware problems or lack of RAM/HD space), I have tried all 3 USB ports on my laptop, as well as 2 USB2.0 ports in my PCMCIA card, and I have tried varying the volume of the input device. I have tried resetting the computer, and also shutting down all other programs (including background processes) before recording. I tried recording in Safe Mode, but this did not work for some reason (Windows Recorder said that the device was already in use).

This is a very annoying error and I would very much like to fix it, as I do realize that the quality of this mic is very high (when it is functioning correctly). Any advice would be much appreciated!

[Mona]

Hi Zchild,

I did go through your recordings. I would suggest that you test the microphone on a different computer to verify if the problem lies with your microphone or your laptop. Let us know the results.

[Zchild]

Ok, so upon further testing, I determined that it is definitely a conflict with my laptop USB ports. I tested the mic again while it was plugged into my USB 2.0 PCMCIA card, and the mic works fine. I have no idea why it won't work with my regular USB ports, but the PCMCIA card seems to be a good work-around.

Cheers

[Mona]

Glad you got your problem solved. It might be a good idea to update your USB ports as well.

[DaveR]

I have a similar problem with the popping noise. I have used the same headset on my previous PC and it worked fine, but now I moved to a new PC and the sound quality is terrible.

New PC:
ASUS P5B Deluxe Motherboard
Core2Duo CPU
Windows Server 2003 R2 x64

I uninstalled the SoundMAX drivers so it was only the Logitech USB Microphone, and I still get the popping + clicking noise using Windows Sound Recorder.

Message Edited by DaveR on 05-01-200712:27 PM

[Mona]

Is there another computer that you can use to test your microphone? It will also be a good idea to update your USB drivers and BIOS.

[Global0Inferno]

I know this thread's been dead for a while, probably more to do with the release of Vista than anything, but I too am having "popping" issues with the AK5370 under WinXP x64. I do not have issues under WinXP 32-bit, or Vista 32-bit (On the same EXACT hardware). It isn't any software which I have installed that has caused this issue as I have reinstalled Windows x64 twice, with the same effect occuring in both installs. The popping noises occur even when the microphone is muted, and I have ruled out any external factors. This MUST be a driver issue with WinXP x64?