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
    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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  2. 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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  3. Anonymous
    2014-02-03T16:54:43+00:00

    Same issue...

    Microsoft, please look into a fix.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-02-02T19:13:59+00:00

    I am having this problem as well, also with the AT2020 under Windows 8.1!  The troubleshooter did nothing and Audio-Technica hasn't gotten back to me (although even if they did I don't know what they could do since these microphones are practically plug 'n' play.)

    Please, if you can, work on a fix for this!  I am a YouTuber and voice actor and desperately need my microphone to be working optimally, and I unfortunately have no means by which to roll back to Windows 7!  I can make it work for now but as far as I can tell my mic will not be performing optimally until a fix is produced!

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-07-23T17:26:21+00:00

    It is nearing the end of July now, and I'm shocked that there has been no response from Microsoft about this. I'm using the AT2020 as well, and worked fine on Windows 7, still works fine on other Windows 7 machines I move it to, but on Windows 8 it is so quiet it is almost unusable. Microsoft, please give us some good news about this issue!

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