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I've been using an AT2020 USB microphone for several years now, first on Vista and then on Windows 7, with no problems at all. After upgrading to Windows 8, I've found that the recording volume using this microphone is now very low. The hardware is all the same, as is all the configuration.
I usually have the volume set at ~30-40. On Windows 7 it's loud and clear, and there is no distortion. On Windows 8, even if I turn it all the way up to 100, the recording volume is way too low and the sound is distorted due to the volume being set so high.
There is clearly something wrong here and as of now Windows 8 is completely unusable to me because I need to be able to record. Any possible solutions would be very much appreciated.
Thank you.
(Also, there are no actual drivers for this device. I've always just plugged it in and it has worked right away.)
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Update (7/29/15): This issue has not been fixed with Windows 10. I've started a new thread here for those who have updated. If you want this fixed, please continue to post about it. I doubt it will help, but the only other option is to stick with W7 or buy a new mic.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Well what exactly is yours doing?
Do you have ASIO recording software? You could try http://www.asio4all.com/ and see if that bypasses whatever's causing the problem
It's weird that updating the sound card drivers fixed it, since the USB mic uses different unrelated drivers.
Yes, changing it back to DirectSound caused it to stop working again. Actually, it only worked for a short while.
What options do we have at this point if we need to capture high quality voice recordings?
If you switch back to DirectSound does it get bad again?
Does your sound card have any "Enhancements" in the Playback Properties?
Well, my AT2020 with a USB cable works now.
I updated my sound card's driver using the laptop's support/downloads website. I have an Acer Aspire. For my laptop, the most current sound driver was dated July of 2015.
I then changed the "Audio Host" settings in my recording software (Audacity) from "Windows Direct Sound" to "MME." I have no idea what that is, but my AT2020 microphone now works perfectly fine.
Hope that helps others!
my honing up microphone level up to 90 and my recording was fine with no noise. Previously on 7 I had levels of 10 for the same with noise.
If you right-click the "90" or "10" and change it to decibels, what does it say?
