Mic Question/Problem

[larryinc64]

So I got my new laptop and I was testing to see if it improved Mic quality over my last PC, and it does, but my PC has a shared Headset port, and both mic and headphones (Or my external speaker) share a port.

I was testing the Mic, and when I played it back, the audio played through the Microphone. I am completely confused by this, ad had no idea that was possible.

I'm guessing the voice picked up was from my laptops built in mic, but I need my external ones to work as a mic.

I don''t know how to fix it and Google has not given me any help, I'm recording in Audacity, and have Realtek driver stuff.

Help?

[taigr81m]

I'm trying to make sense out of your message.
you have an external mic and an internal mic. you try to record [your voice] using the external mic but you only hear audio recorded from an internal mic. is that correct?

I would make sure that the default recording device is correct in the control panel applet [Windows] or using the Realtek software. I have a laptop with RT card and RT has software for changing settings. I thought that a dialog box appears when connecting a mic using RT hardware.

[larryinc64]

I'm trying to make sense out of your message.
you have an external mic and an internal mic. you try to record [your voice] using the external mic but you only hear audio recorded from an internal mic. is that correct?

I would make sure that the default recording device is correct in the control panel applet [Windows] or using the Realtek software. I have a laptop with RT card and RT has software for changing settings. I thought that a dialog box appears when connecting a mic using RT hardware.

My external mic is outputting sound. You can hear audio from the mic. My laptop only has 1 audio jack with a image of a headset next to it like the one in this image:


Realtek thinks the mic is a speaker.

[taigr81m]

yikes! I have two separate jacks for mic and headset, so that is a strange setup but Realtek is odd to me. I do know that Realtek seems to use their software to control all of the HD audio input/output/config

I have my laptop now and I am looking at my RT setup. Whenever you connect an audio device to a laptop with RT hardware, a dialog box should appear which prompts a user to define the type of device that is being attached to the system. a mic, speakers, headset etc. it is almost as though RT uses one jack or two for everything and expects a user to tell the software what is the device.

If you have a Windows 7 system, try right-clicking on the speaker icon by the clock. You should be able to access the RT software. Check to see if the mic is present in the software. Also, make sure that Windows is not trying to control the mic. Update RealTek drivers.

My RT software has a recording tab that allows me to change settings for any mics

I think that you are correct, RT software is seeing the mic as speakers. Software settings should allow you to change that device control.

[taigr81m]

Check to see if you have the Realtek HD Audio Manager Software installed.
I find mine in the Hardware and Sound category of the Control Panel (Win 7)

[larryinc64]

I do. This is where i found out it thinks the mic is a speaker, when i click on the jack, it goes to the speaker tab.

[taigr81m]

some of the Audio Manager software has an advanced settings tab that offers several options. one of the options is to use one jack for everything or not. Check to see if you have that and uncheck it to separate the devices as though you have multiple jacks.

also, I once had a feedback problem related to microphone boost settings. I had lots of strange sounds related to it [this is why I stopped using my Realtek laptop]

[taigr81m]

If you cannot finds the settings or it is still not working, you could try contacting Realtek:
Email: pctech@realtek.com

I don't mind helping but that is up to you.
If you cannot resolve the issue, I have TeamViewer and we could connect and try to troubleshoot. Otherwise, try Realtek tech support.

The problem, in my opinion, is with the software (driver or audio manager)

[sheep2001]

You'll need to plug an adapter onto the mic before plugging into the computer.

As you can see from the image you supplied, the connector it is expecting has 3 connection points on it.  (it's specifically for a headset/mic combo) Audio out l, audio out r, and mic in.  The standard connection on a mic will be hitting one of those audio out points, therefore the laptop thinks its an output, rather than an input connected.

I would be surprised if the laptop didn't come with this adaptor.  It may look like this http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/141/65344m.jpg/

[taigr81m]

In my experience with Realtek, RT uses a Universal Audio Jack (UAJ) technology. I've never had an adaptor but I suppose that it is possible. I do know that RT uses software to control settings.

here is an example:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf-JAVA/Doc/images/370/c00378271.jpg

retask the UAJ to be a mic

[larryinc64]

I think I will try to get an adapter like Sheep said, before messing around with software and stuff.
My Realtek Manager has separate jack images for Mic and Speaker, but anything plugged into the jack comes up as a speaker.
The only advanced option is to set the director from classic to multi-screen mode.

[wiggy]

You'll need to plug an adapter onto the mic before plugging into the computer.

As you can see from the image you supplied, the connector it is expecting has 3 connection points on it.  (it's specifically for a headset/mic combo) Audio out l, audio out r, and mic in.  The standard connection on a mic will be hitting one of those audio out points, therefore the laptop thinks its an output, rather than an input connected.

I would be surprised if the laptop didn't come with this adaptor.  It may look like this http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/141/65344m.jpg/

Like Scruffy says, "2nd".

[taigr81m]

the y-adaptor may or may not work. I view the icon by the jack to be a headset jack not a line-in. If the jack is a headset jack, then you may not be able to use a standard external mic (even with an adaptor.)

it would help to know the make/model of the laptop and which soundcard is used.
I have done some research for you but it is difficult to do sowithout knowing what type of laptop.

here is an article I found at a Dell forum:
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3517/t/19469570.aspx

multi-stream mode could make a difference here but not without knowing the model.

I do not discredit the use of an adaptor. I honestly do not know if an adaptor is required. I've never seen that before. I have experience with Realtek and it almost always comes down to configuration with the Audio Manager software. In some cases, the jack supports headset only. Realtek sometimes has a retasking option - make a mic jack act as a headphone jack.

anyway, I am curious about this problem, so I am hoping that you will post your system specs for me. I would like to add this info to my troubleshooting skills.

[larryinc64]

The laptop is a Lenovo X230T running Windows 7.
Intel Core i7, 8GB Ram, 64-Bit. Currently running with dual monitors.

There are also USB things that give you a Mic and Audio Out option. And there is a base for this that gives you a CD drive and separate ports, bu its over $100. Almost got it, but bought a 2nt battery that, coupled with the original one, doubles the battery like up to 16 hours.
I'll run over to Radioshack Tuesday to see if that works, I have a Mono splitter I use for my Mics, because when I'm recording game commentary with my friend, we use 2 mics, and that did not work.

I'll mess with multi-stream tomorrow. kinda late now.

[taigr81m]

nice laptop   I've been discussing Lenovo laptops with my Wife. I want to buy one for her.
You have a nice system.

I figure that since docking stations exist, companies go with either combo jacks or UAJ to lower costs. I hate the combo jacks as a conventional microphone is usually not supported. Some companies make adaptors to help in these situations but they do not always work.

I do not think that an adaptor will work. You could always try it and return it for your money. Intel is usually good about work arounds but Realtek is not so friendly. The headset jack may only work with headsets.

The UltraBase docking station would be awesome, though expensive. You type over $100 but I see it listed near $200. yikes! it would great to add to your laptop. The Ultrabase has a mic jack and headphone jack (pink and green respectively)

pehaps a usb mic will be a better option for now.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

combo audio jack - for a headset or headphones
conventional microphone is not supported

vide page 44 of the users manual (X230_ug_en.pdf)
http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas/content/user_guides/x230t_ug_en.pdf

ThinkPad Ultrabase Series 3
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/product-and-parts/detail.page?&LegacyDocID=MIGR-76765

just attach to the docking port on the bottom of your 'novo

anyway, nice 'puter