Skype test call fails after Skype update

[ternor]

Thanks for your replies, just17.  It is not a brand new user folder; I restored the backup of the folder from the previous day (i.e. the same folder I had before I started testing recording).  I'll try creating a new user.

When other sound devices are off and only the headset enabled, you are presented with two option for recording from the script.

Yes.  That is what happened.

Check the Input tab of PA again ......  there are three icons to the right of each device listed --- make sure the speaker icon is not 'pressed' which would mute the device (MIC in this case) and prevent any variation in the level indicator.

It is very difficult to tell whether the mute button is pressed or not.  I certainly didn't press it.  I will try toggling it.

After I completed all tests, I enabled the system sound on the Configuration tab but it did not appear on the Output tab.  I closed the controller and re-started it.  It went into the endless loading state.  The internal system was inactivated in the phono section of desktop settings.  At some point (I don't remember when) the system created a 'dummy' sound system to replace the real one.

The configuration files I mentioned are the PA configuration files.

I'll persevere.  Thank you for bearing with me.

[Just17]

At some point (I don't remember when) the system created a 'dummy' sound system to replace the real one.

PA has a 'dummy' sound device which is used where no actual sound devices are active .....  I presume to allow it to continue to run.

Logging out of the user and back in again should reset the user settings on PA.

[ternor]

Thanks.  I actually re-started the computer.  Even that did not re-enable the system sound.  I ran alsaconf also to no effect.

Logging out of the user and back in again should reset the user settings on PA.

[ternor]

I have now tested the microphone in the 'tester' user account.  The results are the same.

First, a snapshot of the PA recording tab when attempting to make the Skype test call:



Secondly, a snapshot of the devices listed when the test script is run (I selected the second device in the list):



Finally, a snapshot of the PA recording tab when using the test script:



Skype did not play back my message and when I played the .wav file in VLC, nothing was audible.

This probably has no bearing.  After logging out of 'tester' and logging in to my normal account, the normal account did not load correctly and when I tried to leave, no 'leave' options were displayed.  I had to restart using REISUB.

I have an older version of my normal user account now after reinstalling from a remaster.  That has not improved the situation.  One thing I have noticed is that recording and/or playing back with the headset on seems to increase the volume set for the internal system; the volume set for the headset is normally louder than the volume set for the internal system.

[Just17]

Your second pic shows the devices from which it is possible to record.
They are

1.  Sound going to the headset speakers
2.  Sound from the Headset Microphone

3.  Sound going to the speakers attached to the built in audio card
4.  Sound from an input of the built in audio card ... often front Mic, rear Mic, and Line in.

The Input Devices tab is where you choose a particular input for 4. above.
So to record from the rear Mic of the built in audio card, # 4. would be chosen on the recorder application, and the rear Mic would be selected as the 'Port' for the Built In Audio, on the Input Devices tab of PA Vol Ctrl.

To record the Mic of the wireless headset # 2 above would be selected in the recording application.
As there is only one input/Mic in the headset there is no choice to be made on the Input Devices tab of PA Vol Ctrl.

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You should check the sensitivity of the input device on the Input Devies tab of PA. This might need to be at Max.


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Your first pic shows the Skype Input from the Built-In Audio card (and it could be from any of the cards inputs, depending on your choice on the Input Devices tab), not the headset Mic.

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The third pic shows the recording is set from the headset Mic.
There is no indicator line showing the input from the Mic.
I find that very strange ......  have never seen that here.

Even if I switch off the Mic using the switch on the headset, the indicator is present with no blue indication of input.

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I suggest you try using the recording app again a few times. Set it up to record from the Headset Mic - Wireless Headset Analogue Mono - as in the third pic.
Ensure the headset Mic is showing some input on the Input Devices tab, and the Mic is not muted there or on the headset itself.

[ternor]

<snip>I suggest you try using the recording app again a few times. Set it up to record from the Headset Mic - Wireless Headset Analogue Mono - as in the third pic.
Ensure the headset Mic is showing some input on the Input Devices tab, and the Mic is not muted there or on the headset itself.

I have tested again on my user account and taken a snapshot of the recording tab while attempting to record using the script.  The microphone was NOT muted on the Input Devices tab of the PA controller.  There is, after all, a mute control on the headset but you can only discover whether is is mute or not by looking at the Input Devices tab of the PA controller; (the whole indicator line turns blue presumably indicating that the microphone is NOT muted).

The headset was switched on and the microphone not muted.

There is also a volume control on the headset.  When I use it, it changes the volume output for the "Built-in Audio Analog Stereo!

I set the volume on the input devices tab to 100%.

In each case I selected the Logitech Wireless Headset Analog Mono as the recording device.

The following snapshot of the recording tab applies to each attempt to record:



I played each recording on VLC.  VLC and the playback tab both showed that the recording was being played but nothing was audible even at maximum volume on the inbuilt system or the headset.    In between attempts to play back the microphone 'recording' I played an mp3 file in VLC and it was audible on both the inbuilt system and the headset.

[Just17]

There is, after all, a mute control on the headset but you can only discover whether is is mute or not by looking at the Input Devices tab of the PA controller; (the whole indicator line turns blue presumably indicating that the microphone is NOT muted).

Can you confirm that you see both 'lines' under the headset entry on the Input Device tab, as shown below.

The first blue line (100% & blue) is the setting for the sensitivity of the MIC, and the lower line (showing some blue here) is where the blue varies with speech, indicating that the MIC is actually working.

[ternor]

Thanks again.  No, the lower line does NOT appear when I use the microphone.

[Just17]

Thanks again.  No, the lower line does NOT appear when I use the microphone.

Can you clarify .......  the line is there but no blue? ......  or no place for the blue to appear?

Have you used this headset recently in another OS? .....  would like to be sure that any hardware defect is eliminated .....

[ternor]

Thanks.  There is no place for the blue to appear.  The only other OS installations I have are all PCLinuxOS.  Could you (or anyone) suggest another?

[Just17]

Thanks.  There is no place for the blue to appear.  The only other OS installations I have are all PCLinuxOS.  Could you (or anyone) suggest another?

I wasn't quite sure if this headset was new or if you had used it previously - before updates - which is why I wondered if it worked in any other situation ... maybe a friend's PC if not one of your own.

I wanted to be sure it could not be a hardware problem with the headset, is all.

[ternor]

OK.  Thanks again.  I'll have to find some way to test it then.  It is a new unit, hardly used and worked with the Skype test call.

[Just17]

OK.  Thanks again.  I'll have to find some way to test it then.  It is a new unit, hardly used and worked with the Skype test call.

This was prior to the Skype update you referred to, on the present install?

[ternor]

Thanks.  No, it was on an older install (2010) which I still have and will test both with the script and Skype.

[Just17]

Thanks.  No, it was on an older install (2010) which I still have and will test both with the script and Skype.

Good  ......  btw the script only works if PA is installed and functioning ...