[SOLVED] Mic not working as desired (yet)... sound , Kmix config attached.

[wolverine_tech]

Hello,

I hope this is the right category to post in.

The issue:I haven't managed to get the internal or an external mic to work (yet).

So far I've tried:
1. I tried making a test call on skype, but heard only a hum/static instead of my voice. A mild hum/static is persistent even when I'm not recording.
2. Ditto with google-talk. The humming reduces when the setting for mic volume is decreased.
3. Pulseaudio is not installed.

The sound & Kmix configuration + a screenshot of my Kmix settings are give below:

Sound configuration info:
Here you can select an alternative driver (either OSS or ALSA) for your sound card (Intel Corporation|82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller).

Your card currently use the ALSA "snd_hda_intel" driver (default driver for your card is "snd_hda_intel")

Kmix info:
Sound drivers supported: PulseAudio + ALSA + OSS
Sound drivers used: ALSA

My current Kmix settings



Please let me know if I'm missing some obvious solution(s).
(I'm new to KDE & have done some creatively dumb things so far )
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
-wt

[canajun]

Hi Wolverine!  And welcome aboard

First off, it's always a good idea to post your PC or Laptop specs with your questions on here. It would also be useful to know if you are using a headset, and if it is analog or USB, or a built-in mic. It's also good to do a search to see if you can find solutions already posted that might address your particular issue, before posting. There is a wealth of material here.

That said, I had mic probs with my laptop a while back but eventually got it sorted out and I posted my solution here:  

How I solved mic probs on Toshiba Satellite A305d laptop (Skype, TeamSpeak, etc)
http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,88426.msg752732.html

(Note: the built-in mic does work too, but not very well. Headset is best)

I hope that helps you. Good luck!

 

[wolverine_tech]

Thank u so much canajun!

Uninstalled the 'extra' ALSA packages.
Changed the backend app to Xine.
Rebooted.

Tested the analog mic/headset with Skype, TeamSpeak and Audacity.
The volume 'meter' in the recording/testing panel did move when i spoke, indicating that it was indeed capturing. 

While it is usable, there's still a hum/buzz that amplifies when I increase the mic boost. I'll dig further

Just wondering: Are the mic issues related to PCLOS or KDE? (PCLOS is my 1st KDE distro, so yeah... there's a bit of a learning curve )
(While there aren't as many options to tweak in GNOME, boy! KDE has a plethora of choices! I'm now on the fence regarding KDE/GNOME debate Barring the mic issue, PCLOS has been a revelation )

Thanks again,
-wt

[canajun]

Your welcome. Glad you've got it working now. Yes, humming can be a problem on a laptop, especially when recording, but I don't think it is distro or desktop-environment related, as much as your hardware and your electrical physical environment.

Things you can try: 1. Turn internal mic off*.  2. Adjust the "mic boost" levels for your USB headset, or turn that off and just use the mic volume slider. 3. Put as much distance as possible from your modem / router and turn off and other PC in the room and see if you notice a difference. 4. Disconnect AC power adapter and go on battery power for a while.  5. Try a different headset (if using USB, try analog or vice versa). 6. As far as recording goes, I have found that I get better sound with my USB headset, but also more humming, though it dissipates substantially if i unplug my AC adapter and  move to a different location on my apartment.

*Use Kmix for that (uncheck the Front-Mic, or go to Kmix>Settings>Configure Channels and remove it as an option)

[wolverine_tech]

Yeah, the internal mic's muted. And the humming isn't much of an issue while using VoIP services, but it does hamper good recording. Once I figure it out, I'll post my solution.

Also, I noticed the "test" button on phonon is greyed out under the communications menu. (See image below.) I wonder if that's the reason...



And regarding the issue with the mic, after tweaking a bit, I did have it working under Debian (testing, GNOME). But I am familiar with debian and GNOME, so am used to troubleshooting in that environment. But then, there were other issues with several distros that have simply disappeared with PCLOS In fact, apart from this issue with humming, there have been absolutely no issues (i mean zero, zilch, nada ) with PCLOs or KDE.     

I was almost determined not to like KDE due to it's Windows like layout (panel on the bottom, 'start-menu' like menu based navigation), but try as I might, I cannot bring myself to uninstall PCLOS/KDE. Damn you PCLOS! You magnificent, awesome distro!

- affectionately mad at PCLOS.

[wolverine_tech]

update:
After tinkering with virtually everything I could think of, here's what worked:
changing the microphone

I tried a different mic and wow! Zero hum/buzz... crystal clear recording.

-wt