AC97 mic not working

[Skychan]

This is a weird problem. I can guarantee the microphone works because by unmuting the microphone from Volume Control causes the mic input to echo out the speakers. This is the only scenario that i get mic input. If mic is muted, no software that i have tried can record any signal.

Does anyone know my problem?

I've had this exact same problem between two mobos (DFI and EVGA) that both use the Realtek AC97 ALC850 chip, and im using the correct Realtek drivers.

thx for the help you guys, i am totally confused!

Skychan

[itsplayed]

Yes, If I understand you correctly....the mic needs to be unmuted in order to record the signal.
Welcome to audioforums Skychain.

[Skychan]

If i unmute the mic its true that it i can record, however try recording sound on your system using the windows record, and leave mic muted, it will work for you. Try it with it unmuted, it will continue, however your voice will be echoed out your speakers as well.

With third party (PCI card with just windows default drivers (SB Live! card)) my mic works correctly with mic muted, but not with my onboard AC97 mic. Note, I have the correct (latest) drivers for the onboard AC97, unless anyone knows of better drivers, which can sometimes be the case.

Skychan

[robertruetz]

You will probably have to mute the speakers when you record. Although, onboard sound is not typically duplex, meaning you can either record or playback, but not both at one time. Some how, you are experiencing just the opposite. What all do you have checked and unchecked in your Windows Volume Control (both Playback and Record)? If you mute the speakers (either physically or in the windows volume control), you won't hear the echo--that would be the quick fix.

Le_Singe
:cool:

[Skychan]

wow! well thx for the information robert!

Thats really too bad that this is the case. It means I cannot do any kind of online chatting using programs such as Ventrilo. (one does not want to hear their own voice echoing back at them while on the phone)

Thankfully I have an OLD SB Live! Value card that I can use for Mic input.

I wish mobos had continued to produce good quality sound chips like they did for the NForce 2 Soundstorm onboard audio. I continue to find things again and again how current onboard sucks!

Think about the money a mobo manufacturer would make if they produced a mobo with a 7.1 Soundstorm chip, no one would even consider any other product until all the other manufacturers started to compete! The first manufacturer would make billions $ allowing them to stay ahead of the game forever in mobo R&D!

crazy!

thx again!

ciao

[itsplayed]

Do not use speakers to monitor the conversation....use headphones instead.

[Skychan]

the echo still comes back through the headphones, we're talking about how recording into the mic input requires unmuting it which forces the audio card to send it out your speakers... try it on your computer, its guaranteed to output your voice to your speakers/headphones IF you unmute the mic from the Volume control panel.

ciao

[itsplayed]

Now your talking about latency....the idea is to monitor your own voice with as little latency as possible so as to not hear it after the fact....hence the 'echo' effect your referring to. You need to lower the latency setting for your soundcard if it gives you the option. If not, this may work for you....
www.asio4all.com (http://www.asio4all.com)

[Skychan]

Oh, sorry Robert for not answering your question about what i have checked/unchecked in volume control panel.

Under Properties:
Playpack: Volume Control, Wave, SW Synth, CD Player, Line In, Microphone.
Recording: CD Player, Line In, Microphone

In Volume Control: I do not have any volume set at zero. I normally have Mic "Mute" checked. Under Advanced for Mic, I have "Mic Boost" checked.

In Recording Control: No volume is set to zero. Each item has a "Select" checkbox, none are checked, and they will not check for me (they stay unchecked when i click them, yet they are NOT grayed out). Advanced for Mic has "Mic Boost" checked.

Oh and the Mixer device for Playback and Recording is "Realtek AC97 Audio".

Thats everything, dunno if that really tells you anything. Obviously you already know what happens when I unmute the Mic...


Oh and now I just noticed that when I plug in my SB Live! card and I change my recording mixer device to it, the Microphone has "Select" checkbox checked under Recording Control and I cannot uncheck it.

Sky ^_^

[Skychan]

I'm pretty sure we are not talking about latency. I believe this problem is inherent with the ALC850 AC97 Realtek chip because i've had this exact same problem with a DFI and an EVGA mobo, both sporting the exact same Realtek chip (ALC850).

Sky

[itsplayed]

If you talk into the mic it will output to the speakers. For this not to be an issue, you need to hear this in real time(or as close to real time as to not discern the difference). Lowering the latency setting will allow you to do this.

[robertruetz]

Under playback, try unchecking "microphone." You don't need to hear your own microphone during playback. You only need it checked for recording... Although, I have a feeling that what you're seeing is just the recording input on the main page (which looks like the playback only page). That will either mute your mic so you can't hear it during playback, or mute it completely so that you can't record it either. I'm still not completely sure how you are able to hear your mic input via onboard sound, as that should be virtually impossible. What are the specs on your motherboard/microphone?

Le_Singe
:cool: