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.)

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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.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-04-14T19:51:51+00:00

    Couldn't agree more. Unlike you, me and many other customers don't really have the possibility to revert back to Windows 7, without of course further costs... It'll really hurt want I intended to do with the microphone, and I don't even know if buying a pre-amp and the XLR version of said mic will work as it should, as it should with the freaking USB version!

    I'd appreciate to know if this is something in the agenda for being fixed in the near future, or not (the latter seems more convincing).

    Verydissapointed.....

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-04-13T13:43:08+00:00

    I just want to report in and say that it has now been two years since I replied to this thread, seeking help or a fix for this issue, and on every rendition of Windows since Windows 8 the issue still persists.  I have long since reinstalled Windows 7, although I keep Windows 8+ on my laptop where I check on occasion to see if the problem has been resolved.  Of course, it still hasn't been.

    So lets put it to you guys simply:

    YOU SCREWED UP.

    So if you canfix the problem, you NEED to make it a priority. NOW.  Many, many people rely on good recording quality for work (including hundreds and hundreds of active YouTubers, like myself), and it is completely unacceptable that we have to roll back to an older version of an OS (or use *shudder* Apple's Macintosh OS) just to get the audio quality that we PAID FOR!

    And if you can'tfix the problem, then for God's sake BE HONEST ABOUT IT.  Your consumers DESERVE to know what they are paying for!  Luckily I like Windows 7 just fine, and I at least have my laptop for future versions of the OS, but this... ugh.  I'm disappointed, Microsoft.  Very disappointed.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-04-02T23:43:49+00:00

    Hi,

    Sorry for the delay in replying.

    I would like to let you know that very recently there is a new build 10049 released. I recommend you to install this latest build through the Windows Updates and restart the computer to check if the issue persists.

    Keep us informed to help you further.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-03-30T02:09:04+00:00

    If I do end up getting the XLR version of the Mic, what would it require to work with the computer? Just a USB Interface? I'm really not experienced with this kind of thing (that's why a functional USB Mic would be amazing, but no, that can't happen.......).

    Thanks a lot for the reply!

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-03-29T07:44:26+00:00

    Simple answer is no. So far it's not fixed in the windows 10, and I doubt that it ever be. Stay at win 7, or get xlr version, and google some good usb interface with direct 8.1 support, that is what I eventually done. I'm now using Focusrite 2i2, but not sure if I can recommend it, on my last PC it had tendency to disconnect / stop working randomly... on my new pc it didn't happen yet, but it was just 2 days, so more testing is needed...

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