How to increase microphone sensitivity
Modern technologies allow us to communicate, despite the distance; more and more services are appearing for exchanging audio or video calls via the Internet. But for all this you definitely need a microphone, otherwise the interlocutor simply will not hear you. Many people have to deal with the fact that the microphone is not configured correctly: unnecessary noise, excessive sensitivity and other troubles appear. What to do in such a situation? Can I fix problems myself? You will learn about all this in this article.
The content of the article
Microphone settings
In most cases, there are problems with the sensitivity of the device. This happens because users do not know how to correctly adjust the volume and response of the accessory, which leads to discomfort in use.
IMPORTANT. Please note that there are many factors that also affect the level of sensitivity. This is, first of all, the model of the device, the programs that are used in conjunction with it, the characteristics of the room and much more. All this should be taken into account when setting up the microphone to get ideal sound quality.
You have to constantly strain your voice, bring the device as close to your mouth as possible, and resort to other similar tricks. How to get rid of this problem?
You can totally do this yourself. This setup is very quick and easy, without requiring special technical skills. You just need to go to the “Control Panel” and find the microphone in the list under the heading “Recording Devices”. Then open its properties and make settings. Change the volume level and also cancel Exclusive Mode. The fact is that connecting such a mode can lead to a sharp decrease in the sensitivity of the device during operation. This is explained by the fact that its volume is regulated by third-party programs, for example, Skype.
How to lower microphone sensitivity
The opposite situation is also not very pleasant: excessive sensitivity of the device can cause discomfort. Very often this is explained by the technical characteristics of the device itself, but you can try several methods that can help make using the microphone more comfortable.
The easiest way is to cover the device with a not very thick cloth, which will significantly reduce its sensitivity level. You can also try connecting a microphone using a block with an additional variable resistor. The resistance of the device is much less than the resistance of the block, so the sensitivity will decrease.
If none of the above helps, then go to the settings on your computer. “Sound Settings” will allow you to make the sound exactly the way you want.
What to do if you can hear sound from your headphones in the microphone
Sometimes the interlocutor begins to hear sound from your headphones, which is also very inconvenient and interferes with communication. This is very important for those who play games on the computer, where there is the possibility of voice communication between participants.
In this case, the exact cause of what is happening has not yet been found. First of all, disable the “mixer” option in the sound settings. If the problem persists, then the microphone may need to be amplified. It should also be disabled.
Perhaps due to excessive sensitivity or too loud sound in the headphones, the microphone captures it and transmits it to the interlocutor. The simplest solution would be to stop using the built-in microphone and purchase a separate one. This way you can easily get rid of unnecessary sound transmissions.
IMPORTANT. When choosing a microphone, pay attention not only to its essential characteristics, but also to its compatibility with your computer. Consult with the seller who will help you choose the best option. Choosing the cheapest model can result in quick disappointment in the product - in most cases, such devices are of very low quality.
How to remove keyboard sound from microphone
Extra sounds can include not only music from headphones, but also loud clicks from the keyboard, despite the fact that the microphone seems to be located at a considerable distance from it.
The first thing you need to do is turn down the volume of the device in the settings, as described earlier. If this does not help, then it makes sense to connect noise reduction. You can enable a similar function yourself and configure it so that only keyboard clicks are isolated.
If you don’t want to bother with other programs, then you can use the simplest method, also already mentioned earlier - cover the microphone with a rag or foam rubber. In this case, the volume will decrease and no additional settings will be required.In addition, you should still place the device away from the keyboard and try to hit the keys a little less hard. This will help achieve maximum results and make communication comfortable.
There are special microphones on sale with built-in noise reduction, but they usually cost much more than regular ones. Whether it is worth spending a little more money to have such a function is up to you to decide.
Now you know how you can increase or decrease the sensitivity of the microphone, as well as get rid of unnecessary noise that is sometimes heard by your interlocutor. With this knowledge, you can make communication on Skype or any other program comfortable and calm. Thanks to modern computers, relatives, friends or just acquaintances can always keep in touch, even when located at a considerable distance from each other. This is why it is so important to have headphones and other accessories that connect to the unit. An important point will also be which connectors each plug should be plugged into. Remember that the green jack is always for headphones, and the red jack is for the microphone. Knowing this rule, you will never mix up the plugs and correctly connect accessories to the computer.