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Skype micro too quiet

Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:22 pm
by S1l3nced
Hello everyone,

I've got a really annoying problem. Since I've installed Mint 14 Cinnamon, my built-in microfon is always too quiet when i am talking to others via skype. I am using a Lenovo Thinkpad Edge e330 notebook.
I've disabled "auto configuration" in skype and I've tried to configurate my microfon manually via alsamixer. But this also doesn't work.
In Ubuntu 12.04 I haven't got any problems using skype with my built-in microfon.
Have you got any suggestions what I can do?
Thanks and best regards!

Re: Skype micro too quiet

Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:59 pm
by semicolon
Have you already had a look at the sound settings? Just go to the menu and search for a program called 'sound'. At the input tab you should see your microphone and if all is well you can amplify it.

Re: Skype micro too quiet

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 4:35 am
by xC0re
I have the same problem on my Lenovo x220t (mint 14 cinnamon).
Even my external one is much too quiet.
I have this problem with skype and audacity.
In the sound settings my mic is on 100%. If I increase the amplification there is to much noise and I can't understand what I say.
Alsamixer doesn't work for me. I've searched online but everything (ubuntu related) what I've found didn't work.

I am a completely newbie. Up to last week I had Windows on my notebook. There the mic worked fine.

Re: Skype micro too quiet

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:45 am
by semicolon
@S1l3nced Is it just skype that is not working correctly or does the microphone not work well at all?

Unfortunately I don't have much experience using microphones, so these are just 3 more random ideas:
  • 1. Check if the hardware profile is set to 'analogue stereo duplex' in the sound settings

    Code: Select all

    Sound settings > Hardware > Profile: Analogue Stereo Duplex
  • 2. Try install pulse audio volume control. It will let you control the volume level per application, as soon as an application starts recording it will show up under the recording tab. It should be recognized in the sound options by skype as well.

    Code: Select all

    sudo apt-get install pavucontrol
  • 3. Remove pulseaudio, reboot and then try again to use alsamixer to manage the settings.

Re: Skype micro too quiet

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:00 am
by S1l3nced
@semicolon: Hmm.. maybe I try out VoIP in Steam. Or I should install audacity.
I've installed pavucontrol, I hope this will be the solution. I will report later, after I tested my micro again.

Thanks for your help!

Re: Skype micro too quiet

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:57 am
by semicolon
You can use the standard 'Sound Recorder' in Mint to test your microphone. Or if you're a fan of the terminal:

Code: Select all

arecord -d 5 test-mic.wav
aplay test-mic.wav

Re: Skype micro too quiet

Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 6:53 am
by xC0re
Still doesn't work for me.
I've checked the sound setting: It's on analog stereo duplex
I've installed pulse audio volume control: Everything on 100%. Still a much too quiet micro.
I've removed pulse audio and used only the alsamixer. Still quiet. If I set the amplification to 40db my speech is loud enough to hear (although still a bit quiet) but there is to much noise to use it for something.

Any other ideas?
I'm starting to become desperate :?

Re: Skype micro too quiet

Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 12:42 am
by nikosmitros
I have the same problem with an Acer Aspire, 4830T. I have installed Linux Mint 13, Cinnamon. My sound works with Banshee. I also tested the internal microphone with the sound recorder, and records fine. The playback is fine. But, when I use Skype, the playback is very very faint. Increasing the volume in Volume Control doesn't have any effect. I checked the Acer web-site for sound drivers for Linux, but couldn't have found any. Apparently, Acer doesn't provide any drivers for Linux.
thanks in advance to anyone who can help solve this

Re: Skype micro too quiet

Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 9:01 am
by Chraz Ritt
Guys, I don't see where anyone is checking or suggesting checking the settings within Skype. In Skype there is a section of settings that controls the sound settings just for Skype, has any of you who are having problems checked them?

Edit: On rereading it does seem that the OP has looked in the correct area of Skype, but does not mention setting the slider control, just says he turned off the auto control function.

Re: Skype micro too quiet

Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 3:23 pm
by xC0re
I tested it again today and everything works. I don't know why.
Two weeks ago it was much too quiet. Since then I didn't change a thing because I had other things to do and now it works.
It's not perfect, but at least I can understand myself if I record my voice.
This might be because of any update, but I don't really know.

Re: Skype micro too quiet

Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 1:37 am
by Jim The Tyreman
Have to say my skype sound is AWFUL! All crackley and horrible! I can get a good volume level but even if i turn it right down and hardly hear it, it's so crackly!!

Any ideas?

Sound was fine in XP?!