This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(128, 8%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
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
Has there ever been a fix for this issue?
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.
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.
Same problem here - far to low level when i try to record sound with the Samson CO1U. Windows 8.1
The Microphone works fine when running Ubuntu on the same machine?
I hear what you are saying. I have been trying to fix my mic levels for ages. I have an sm57 connected to an alesis multimix 4 USB mixer, using mdr-7506 headset, connected to my windows 8.1 machine and even though I can get sound I have to have the mic inside my mouth to do it, or really really close to the mic cover. This really is a pain in my ****. Microsoft REALLY needs to step up and fix this issue with windows 8.1 as I do not have this issue on windows 7 pro laptop. This is just a windows driver, mic configuration, level problem of some type. Any further adjustments as stated by others to increase the input level is basically met with tons of background noise.
WE NEED A FIX and not some stupid answer on how to potentially fix something. We are not a bunch of newbies.
Give us a real fix!
Kind regards,
Stephen
Been about a week and nothing, no solution yet Pranav?
Microsoft, how about you send us someone who actually knows something and can fix this problem?!
Hi,
I have changed the settings for the device and done everything that you have suggested in this thread.
My audio guy (the technician you mentioned other people should call) looked over the microphone, an AT2020 and concluded that it was in complete and perfect working order. Upon seeing that I use Windows 8.1 he said, "Ahh there is your problem." He continued to tell me that he has been working over time at QA with many people trying to get their usb PLUG AND PLAY microphones working with Windows 8 and 8.1.
He then told me that the only "solution" was either downgrade to Windows 7, have Microsoft fix the driver or MS has a secret "work-around" he is unaware of...or only buy microphones that come with their own drivers, or switch to an XLR mic and forsake USB audio on Windows 8.1 entirely.
What is your next suggestion/guess/shot-in-the-dark solution?
