Mic problems

[DrMrLordX]

Labtec Verse 504 el-cheapo desktop mic

I purchased this product to replace an apparently-broken Labtec AM-242 mic for use with my Creative SoundBlaster PCI soundcard(actually an Ensoniq AudioPCI with firmware update; may have ruined card's record fuctionality?). The new microphone produces the same problem . . . no sound recorded. Only static is heard in Windows sound recorder(yes, I have double-checked all my multimedia settings, maxed mic volume, activated and deactivated mic boost, used various degrees of hardware acceleration for recording, etc). I also have an on-board AC97 sound chip(ECS K7S5A motherboard), and I enabled it and installed drivers from Windows Update(now I have two sound devices active, both produce good output for speakers). The mic does not function when plugged into the AC97 mic jack, and doesn't even produce any static. Oddly enough, when the mic boost is activated and the Ensoniq/Soundblaster card is used as the recording device, and the mic plug is positioned properly inside the mic jack, my speakers produce a loud buzzing noise, and this noise is present in all recordings(that's the ONLY thing present). I am thinking this may be a problem of getting enough power to the soundcard and/or AC97 chip, or maybe the loud fans in my computer are causing problems with the mic? It's an Athlon 1.4ghz with two case fans and a fairly noisy generic cpu/heatsink. Sounds like a small vacuum cleaner.

 

[Zepper]

They use pretty cheap contacts in some of those audio jacks on sound cards. Try wetting your mic plug down really well with contact cleaner, plug it in and rotate it a number of times to try to clean the contacts.
. Also some mics have switches on them, make sure switch is ON if applicable. Also some electret mics need a battery or a jumper set on the sound card to provide a DC bias voltage or a higher degree of amplification.
.bh.
:gray;

 

[DrMrLordX]

Okay, I'll give that a shot. If it helps, I'm running win2k sp3. I also need to test these mics on a tape recorder, now I just need a tape . . . heheh.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Oh, got any recommendations for a contact cleaner to use?

*update*

Tested both mics on a tape recorder. The mics work. The following are the probably causes of this problem:

1). low level sound driver problem(doubtful, has to be pretty low level to affect both card and AC97 chip
2). dust in both recorder jacks
3). not enough power to the soundcard and AC97 chip

Not sure which, gonna have to experiment.

 

[Zepper]

I use Caig Labs Pro Gold, but hard to find. Can be special ordered from Radio Schlock. RS also usually has some other stuff on the shelves. Any of it should work.
Another thing to check is: open your mixer (double click on little speaker at bottom right of screen), click on Options on menu bar, click on properties, click on "Set volumes for recording" radio button.
.bhl.
:beer: time!