Microphone delay when recording in Windows 7

Hey there! I know that you've posted this some years ago, but people like me are still having these kind of problems on Windows 7.

I had the same problem as you, microphone delay, between 0,5 ~ 1,0 seconds. I've tryed with different microphones, but the same happened.

Here are my specs:

Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Edition (64-BIT)

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition

ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO (AMD 785G)

2x2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz

Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi XtremmeGamer Fatal1ty Professional (Regular PCI slot)

Radeon HD 5770

And this was the solution for the problem:

I was using the lastest drivers for my sound card for Windows 7 x64. I unninstalled the drivers and tryed to find a new version using Windows Update, but it didn't find anything.

Then, I went to Creative Labs web page, looking for new drivers, but hadn't succeded. I downloaded Vista x64 drivers, but the instalation said that my SO was not correct.

At last, I downloaded the "Beta drivers", that were more actual than the final drivers. I installed these drivers and the problem was SOLVED. Now I don't have microphone delay.

I hope it can help someone. Bye!

Excellent! That helped. Thanks!

I did

1. right-click speaker icon
2. playback devices
3. speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio - the default device)
4. properties button
5. "Levels" tab
6. and I un-muted my "Microphone" and "FrontMic" and set the levels to maximum

Fixed!

I have had the sound-delay problems everyone here is complaining about, and I believe I have a solution that works with MY EQUIPMENT.  This solution may not work for your equipment, but there may be at least a hint of what to try if your equipment differs.

I am running Windows 7 Ultimate and am using a Blue Yeti USB microphone.  This mike includes an output for my headphones, and I use this connection for my recording work.  I also use Sony Sound Forge Pro 10 recording software.

I’ll address SF10Pro first briefly, then go on to the apparent general fix.

First, NOTES SPECIFICALLY ON Sony Sound Forge 10 Pro:

I USE THIS SOFTWARE.  I have found that that software can actually induce a delay, that is, if there is no delay when I listen through my headphones, then I open a New file inside Sound Forge Pro 10, the delay can appear.  Then, if I close the New sound screen, then even though Sound Forge Pro 10 is still open, the sound delay disappears.

To fix this in Sony Sound Forge 10 Pro (remember – this is with my equipment and it may not work for yours).  In the RECORD dialog box for a given window, on the ADVANCED tab, ensure that ENABLE AUDIO INPUT MONITORING is NOT checked!  This is the maiin thing that fixed it for me.

HOW I SOLVED THE PROBLEM IN GENERAL:

Here’s how I solved my problem.  I’ll present it as instructions for you, but I am not claiming that what I have done is perfect and I take absolutely no responsibility for the results you get.  I’m not a tech support person and cannot and will not be able to “help” you if this doesn’t work for or if somehow you mess up your sound system, so please make your own decision about whether or not to follow these SUGGESTIONS that appear as if they were instructions.

1.      Have all of your equipment plugged in and turned on.

a.      If you’re using a Yeti, ensure that the mike button light is solid, not blinking.

2.      Get to the Windows SOUND dialog box.

a.      One way that works with Windows 7 and probably other versions:  Rt. Click on the Speaker symbol in the system tray.

b.      Alternately, you could go to the Control Panel and get to Hardware and Sound section, go to Manage Audio Devices.  In your version of Windows, it may take some other method to get there, but eventually, you should be able to find it.

3.      Note that the SOUND dialog box has several tabs across the top.

4.      Click on the RECORDING tab.

5.      Click on the representation of your microphone.

6.      Ensure that it says DEFAULT DEVICE (and, for Windows 7 at least, has a green check box near it).

a.      If it’s not DEFAULT DEVICE, right-click on its representation and choose SET AS DEFAULT.

7.      Rt. click and choose PROPERTIES.

8.      Click on the LISTEN tab.

9.      Ensure that the LISTEN TO THIS DEVICE box is NOT checked (so uncheck it if it’s checked!).

10.  Click OK.

11.  Click on the PLAYBACK tab.

12.  Click on the representation of your microphone (here, your microphone may NOT be listed; my Yeti is listed since my headphones plug into the mike, not to the computer).

13.  Rt. click and choose PROPERTIES.

14.  Go to the GENERAL tab.

15.  Ensure that the DEVICE USAGE drop-down, which is near the bottom of the screen, is set to USE THIS DEVICE (enable).

I wish everybody luck!

. . . Steve

Thanks, but I'm using a USB mike.  BTW, I got it to work with no delay by un-checking the "Listen" option, unplugging, and re-plugging in the USB connector.  But I've done that in the past, too, and it's a temporary fix.  Eventually the delay will come back, with nothing obvious precipitating the degradation in functionalitiy.

Microsoft really needs to fix this.

Thanks to everyone who has tried to help.