Windows 8.1 USB microphone volume is extremely low

Anonymous
2014-03-14T02:41:12+00:00

I have a Samson C01U USB mic. It is a plug-and-play microphone. There are no drivers for it. There is no firmware for it. You just plug it in, and it works.

This mic has always worked perfectly. When I used Windows 7, I set the volume level of it to about 40-50% and everything sounded crisp, clear, and loud. On Windows 8, it is inaudible unless I set the volume to 90% but even at that point it is not loud enough. Setting it to 100% results in a lot of noise in the background.

This is not the first time someone has brought this issue up as it is extremely common to everyone owning a USB plug-and-play mic:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1323451/windows-8-mic-issue

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/2da97f80-f58b-4635-acbf-9dd7292ed752/microphone-very-low-volume?forum=w8itprohardware

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows\_8-hardware/low-usb-microphone-recording-volume-at2020/9528f797-65c8-4033-a4d6-39995cd0d074

Has there ever been a fix for this issue?

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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Anonymous
2014-07-31T00:46:56+00:00

Hi,

Thank you for the reply.

As you have mentioned that you have checked the issue with other microphone but you still face this issue. We have already tried to uninstall and reinstall the drivers. I suspect this issue to be a hardware issue. Check the issue with a local technician.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-02-26T16:27:14+00:00

    quick warning, check the Behringer B-1 power requirements. Pretty sure it's a condenser mic and as such requires 48v of phantom power to operate/function. (Not 100% sure)

    I only say this because the Xenyx 302USB DOESN'T have the 48volt of phantom power needed to power it. Only produces around 11-15v.  I'm only saying this because I had the same problem happen to me. I bought the Xenyx and XLR condenser mic and it wouldn't work consistently took me forever to figure out.

    It was under-powered.

    You can get stand-alone 48v phantom power units from Amazon.

    http://www.amazon.com/Innogear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=sr\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424878219&sr=8-1&keywords=48v+phantom+power+unit

    That one will run you about another $20.00

    Or buy a different mixer that has 48v phantom power.

    Only saying this because with XLR being one of the only solutions to this problem I went through a TON of self-research and trial and error...it sucked. Trying to save others the headache.

    Good tip, almost forgot! I ordered one! Thanks!

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-02-27T11:46:49+00:00

    Ok, I installed the Behringer 320USB mixer with the Behringer B-1 microphone with 48v Phantom Power between the mixer and mic. I can confirm that I have downloaded the 302USB drivers but the problem still remains. I still have to boost the audio way to much. One advantage is that I can now boost the mic volume with the gain on the mixer. But still I have to turn the gain almost completely up to recieve a better microphone volume.

    I can see a the new 302USB Behringer driver in the recording settings and also as playback device driver, but when I select it as main playback audio driver I don't hear any sound from my speakers? Anyone suggestions?

    Would a PCI-e audio soundcard resolve this problem? Or does Windows 8.1 eventually still take control of the audio?

    This is just to stupid! Please Microsoft, in these times where streamers and youtube video's have never been so populair how could you f*****p this audio driver inside Windows 8.1???

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-02-27T21:19:05+00:00

    Ok, I installed the Behringer 320USB mixer with the Behringer B-1 microphone with 48v Phantom Power between the mixer and mic. I can confirm that I have downloaded the 302USB drivers but the problem still remains. I still have to boost the audio way to much. One advantage is that I can now boost the mic volume with the gain on the mixer. But still I have to turn the gain almost completely up to recieve a better microphone volume.

    I can see a the new 302USB Behringer driver in the recording settings and also as playback device driver, but when I select it as main playback audio driver I don't hear any sound from my speakers? Anyone suggestions?

    Would a PCI-e audio soundcard resolve this problem? Or does Windows 8.1 eventually still take control of the audio?

    This is just to stupid! Please Microsoft, in these times where streamers and youtube video's have never been so populair how could you f*****p this audio driver inside Windows 8.1???

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWgdCNhC36g

    There is a link to a 302usb setup...not sure it will help you. On my setup I still have to turn the gain up quite a lot. Currently running a Scarlett 2i2 (this unit replaced my 302USB behringer) And I have to turn the gain knob to about the 3 o' clock position to get the sound volume that I want. I don't have a dedicated soundcard. If you want it louder...my guess would be get a better preamp? I don't know if they sell standalone preamps and again just a guess, I'm a newb at this same as you. (Only use it for youtube videos).

    I'd recommend going to an audio store. Explain you're on a budget (just so they don't up sell you) and see what they say.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-02-27T21:50:16+00:00

    Ok, I installed the Behringer 320USB mixer with the Behringer B-1 microphone with 48v Phantom Power between the mixer and mic. I can confirm that I have downloaded the 302USB drivers but the problem still remains. I still have to boost the audio way to much. One advantage is that I can now boost the mic volume with the gain on the mixer. But still I have to turn the gain almost completely up to recieve a better microphone volume.

    I can see a the new 302USB Behringer driver in the recording settings and also as playback device driver, but when I select it as main playback audio driver I don't hear any sound from my speakers? Anyone suggestions?

    Would a PCI-e audio soundcard resolve this problem? Or does Windows 8.1 eventually still take control of the audio?

    This is just to stupid! Please Microsoft, in these times where streamers and youtube video's have never been so populair how could you f*****p this audio driver inside Windows 8.1???

    You could try something like the Cloudlifter CL-1.  I was thinking about picking one up, if you do, please let us know how it goes.

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