Sapphire
01-30-2010, 04:23 PM
Sometimes it's not enough to reduce the mic volume through the your recording program. Even if you reduce it to the lowest amplification, peaking can still be present in your recordings. The only option left is to either step away from the mic (WHICH REALLY DOESN'T HELP BECAUSE YOU'LL HAVE MASSIVE ROOM ECHO TO DEAL WITH DURPDURPDURP (Unless you have a studio, that is)), or you can manually adjust your "Mic Boost" settings in your control panel (DING DING DING WE HAVE A WINNER).
I'm using Windows Vista for this tutorial. However, earlier or later versions of Windows should still give you access to the Control Panel. If you're using a stupid built-in microphone, then this tutorial isn't for you. Leave NOW before you waste your time.
P.S. I'm also using a laptop, so I'm not sure if this works for desktop users as well. :T
Step One:
Go to START > CONTROL PANEL. Your Control Panel should look something like this:
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/2336/micvol01.th.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/i/micvol01.jpg/)
You'll want to click on HARDWARE and SOUND.
Step Two:
Look at the image below. Do you see how SOUND is highlighted and how there are three other options right below it? Click on the option that says, "Manage Audio Devices."
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4742/micvol02.th.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/i/micvol02.jpg/)
A new window should have popped up (assuming you're a Vista user). There are three tabs: Playback, Recording, and Sounds. Click on the one that says RECORDING.
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/3799/micvol03.jpg
Step Three:
Now, assuming you listened to my warning in the beginning of the tutorial, and assuming you have the microphone you use to record with plugged in already, what I'm about to tell you will work.
Right click on the MICROPHONE icon. Not the icon for the microphone that you're using to record with, but the other one. The evil one. Click on Properties. A new window should pop up.
http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/4493/micvol04.jpg
Quickly! Go to the LEVELS tab! The culprit for all your peaking misery is hiding here.
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/5776/micvol05.jpg
See where it says Microphone Boost? You want to move that bugger down to at least +10dB or for your safety, 0.0dB. I chose the latter because it completely gets rid of that stupid humming noise my laptop makes and you don't need to worry about peaking. Now the only noise I have to worry about is the one coming from my surroundings (which will be easy to fix if you know how to use Noise Reduction).
If you're wondering about the Microphone section, that also helps to reduce your peaking (if you're still experiencing any after the above paragraph). I have my slider set at 75 (for normal voice levels), but if your recording sounds a bit too low in volume even AFTER adjusting it through your recording program, then adjust the sliders here until you get to a volume you're content with. Obviously, if you're too loud, you want to move the slider to around 40 or below.
Click Okay... and Okay again, and you're done!
I'm using Windows Vista for this tutorial. However, earlier or later versions of Windows should still give you access to the Control Panel. If you're using a stupid built-in microphone, then this tutorial isn't for you. Leave NOW before you waste your time.
P.S. I'm also using a laptop, so I'm not sure if this works for desktop users as well. :T
Step One:
Go to START > CONTROL PANEL. Your Control Panel should look something like this:
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/2336/micvol01.th.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/i/micvol01.jpg/)
You'll want to click on HARDWARE and SOUND.
Step Two:
Look at the image below. Do you see how SOUND is highlighted and how there are three other options right below it? Click on the option that says, "Manage Audio Devices."
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4742/micvol02.th.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/i/micvol02.jpg/)
A new window should have popped up (assuming you're a Vista user). There are three tabs: Playback, Recording, and Sounds. Click on the one that says RECORDING.
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/3799/micvol03.jpg
Step Three:
Now, assuming you listened to my warning in the beginning of the tutorial, and assuming you have the microphone you use to record with plugged in already, what I'm about to tell you will work.
Right click on the MICROPHONE icon. Not the icon for the microphone that you're using to record with, but the other one. The evil one. Click on Properties. A new window should pop up.
http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/4493/micvol04.jpg
Quickly! Go to the LEVELS tab! The culprit for all your peaking misery is hiding here.
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/5776/micvol05.jpg
See where it says Microphone Boost? You want to move that bugger down to at least +10dB or for your safety, 0.0dB. I chose the latter because it completely gets rid of that stupid humming noise my laptop makes and you don't need to worry about peaking. Now the only noise I have to worry about is the one coming from my surroundings (which will be easy to fix if you know how to use Noise Reduction).
If you're wondering about the Microphone section, that also helps to reduce your peaking (if you're still experiencing any after the above paragraph). I have my slider set at 75 (for normal voice levels), but if your recording sounds a bit too low in volume even AFTER adjusting it through your recording program, then adjust the sliders here until you get to a volume you're content with. Obviously, if you're too loud, you want to move the slider to around 40 or below.
Click Okay... and Okay again, and you're done!