Low USB microphone recording volume (AT2020)

Anonymous
2013-01-12T10:07:02+00:00

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.)

--

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.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-02-11T07:38:29+00:00

    Hi,

    Ensure to install all pending Windows Updates and update all device drivers. Once the updates are installed, restart the computer and check the status.

    Windows Update: Frequently Asked Questions: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-update-faq

    Drivers are updated occasionally. Windows can update them automatically, or you can install the updated drivers yourself. It's important for you to have confidence in the updated drivers you install. Windows notifies you if it detects a suspicious or unsafe driver you shouldn't install.

    Download and install drivers: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/all-drivers

    Thank you.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-11T15:28:58+00:00

    I've been installing every update for over a year now and it still has not been fixed.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-03-29T19:38:04+00:00

    I had the same problem with my usb2020 but I found the solution to my problem

    this is what i did:

    At the bottom right of your desktop you have the volume sign, right click on that and go to recording devices

    then find your at2020 right click and go to properties then go to the levels tab and in my case the volume was at 52%, I boosted it up to 80 and it fixed the problem.

    Not quiet anymore

    I hope this helped in anyway

    please let me know if it did:)

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-04-09T10:02:10+00:00

    Hi,

    Thank you for sharing the information.

    Your efforts to resolve this issue is very much appreciated.

    Feel free to post your query here on Windows Forums, we would be happy to assist you.

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-04-09T18:03:32+00:00

    Hey, I appreciate the response and hopefully this helps some people, but this is definitely more of a temporary workaround than a long term solution. Artificially boosting the volume results in a certain degree of quality loss and should not be necessary. Microsoft still needs to fix the core issue before this is actually resolved.

    The workaround I've been using is recording in a Windows 7 VM. It works, but it's definitely not ideal.

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