Poor sound quality from my mic...

[Marji]

Hi!!!

I have a laptop, an HP Pavilion dv6-6C10US, on which I am running Windows 7. It has an "integrated microphone array," which is controlled by an "IDC high-definition audio CODEC."

All that seems to be working well enough, EXCEPT that when using Skype or recording something using this mic, there is a persistent popping, snapping or crackling (sorta like Rice Krispies) that interferes with the sound quality. Folks who are on the listening end of a Skype conversation tell me that I am difficult to hear because of the poor sound quality.

I recall reading somewhere a long time ago that that crackling sound could be caused by (and cured by) some setting that is off. Could it be a baud rate?? I have no idea, and I can't find that information now.

I wonder if anyone here might know about this, and what I can do to get a cleaner sound with less interference.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for any help you might be able to give.

With deepest gratitude,
Marji

 

[Agent Smith]

Hi, you can change the bit rate in the audio properties. Not sure if that will help, but since you mention it perhaps it's worth a shot. [strike]I was also thinking bad microphone or cable.[/strike] It's an integrated mic, isn't it?

To change the bit rate, right click the audio icon in the task bar and chose "recording devices." Now select your microphone and chose properties. Now click the advanced tab. There you will see sample rate. Try DVD quality.

 

[Marji]

I think that may have done the trick!! Hard to tell because there is a lot of fan noise (next on my list of things to correct, I'll be cleaning the fan). I'll let you know after that's completed.

For what it's worth, it already was on the DVD quality, but there was also an option for studio quality, 24-bit instead of 16-bit @ 48K Hz.

Thank you so much for your help!!!!

 

[Agent Smith]

No problem.

 

[Marji]

Hi again. Well, I got my computer taken apart, cleaned up, and put back together, and the loud fan and overheating are resolved. Checking the recording quality again, I'm still hearing that interference, and I'm wondering if it's not possible for the computer not to have that crackling sound because it's an internal mic, and it's picking up the computer sounds. Do you think this may be hopeless?

 

[C4C]

Have you tried using an external mic? That would solve a part of this issue.

Unfortunately being a laptop, you can't buy a new sound card, but trying a simple USB microphone from your local store should help.

 

[Marji]

Thank you, C4C! That's exactly what I'm going to do. I'd just be so disappointed if I hooked up an external mic only to find it's still making a racket. But, there's no way to know until I do, so....

Thanks for your response! I'll let you know how it goes!

Warmly,
Marji

 

[Shane]

Unfortunately being a laptop, you can't buy a new sound card,

He could always try one of those USB sound cards such as the
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Go Pro...if a new external mic itself doesn't sort the issue out...not only that the creative sound card should give you better audio than the laptops basic integrated.

 

[Marji]

I have THE BEST news!!!!! I ordered a USB mic, and ~ oh my god ~ the sound quality is PERFECT!!! That was absolutely the solution!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

With gratitude and warmest regards,
Marji, a very happy person!