“Are you there? You’re cutting out.”
“Your voice is so small.”
“I can’t hear you.”
Are you fed up hearing the same feedback from your listeners? Your microphone is of good quality. Your connection is good, your positioning is great, and your distance from the computer is perfect. What seems to be the problem?
Calm down. In this post, I’ve gathered the 10 most common microphone questions and how to resolve them.
Technology has been offering a wide array of modern microphones. Different types of mics have different microphone proficiency, some even come at ceiling costs. So why then, with all of this remarkable expertise that the issues seem like forever? How should we exactly deal with microphone problems on voice calls?
Stubborn microphone issues are especially notorious for being in the limelight of the same old questions popping up over and over again. There have been many answers but they seemed like dust in the wind. You thought it was an issue with your existing mic so you buy a new one but you still run into the same questions.
So I want to share with you all how to arm yourself with the basic knowledge for the most common microphone questions you might have.
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<<<You might be looking for the best microphones, we found the 23 models great for teachers.
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10 Most Common Microphone Questions and Their Answers
1) Why does my mic suddenly sound bad?
Sometimes sudden issues may just be due to minor lapses. You may just have plugged the mic into the wrong port. It helps a lot if you get yourself familiar with the colors of your cables. Sometimes, you simply need to push the connector into their ports.
This happened to me I was almost “furious” why the mic did not work, only to realize later that I did not properly insert the wire connector correctly. Therefore, not all issues are due to the device itself, but negligence.
Try swapping ports including those located in the back. For a USB hub, you can bypass the hub and see if that helps. Check if the connection of your mic to your PC is not loose. Often a loose connection is a reason why your voice quality is not clear.
2) What causes a mic to cut in and out?
One example of cutting-out feedback is a burst of noise that comes in and out. The most common cause is either a weak signal received, a weak signal transmitted, or plainly the normal interference with other radio waves. This is the reason why wireless mics are recommended to use a separate receiver that has been set to the same channel.
Defective hardware is another culprit. But you can easily re-install the software. An improper network configuration can also be troubleshot by verifying the integrity of your local network. If simple fixing is not possible, then you have to check if your microphone has any internal damage.
When you’re on a game, use a primary microphone so you can reduce input volume and drop the cutting-out noise a bit. Often, your input may be causing the feedback.
3) Why do I hear too much room sound?
This is a very common issue with microphones especially when you’re recording. The simplest solution is to move closer to the mic so you can increase the volume of your voice while minimizing the sound of the noise effectively.
The kind of microphone you have can help minimize room sound. A cardioid microphone, for instance, records in a single direction while omnidirectional mics record in multiple directions exposing the device to pick up more room sound. A noise-canceling microphone can amplify and make your voice a lot clearer to your students.
Noise cancellation blocks out background noise. This is for you if you are teaching in a room that can access noise, near the street, or a crowded surrounding. The mode advanced microphones offer superior noise-canceling features, although they can be pricey.
4) What are some signs that I am having audio and sound issues with my own microphone?
You will know when your audio and sound are of no quality and needs to be improved when you hear:
- Hum or whir sound that comes and goes
- Hiss or buzz sound that is irritating and disturbing
- Echoes from everywhere
- Bumping sounds from microphone handling
- It detects the sounds of an electric fan or the sound of you typing on the keyboard
- You hear “plosives” or consonant sounds when spoken into the mic
- Audio processing and effects
Quality audio means natural and nice to the ear. As if you’re simply talking next to each other like a face-to-face conversation. If the sound of your voice isn’t welcoming, it’s one gauge that you need to check or upgrade your unit.
Get Rid of Static on Your Microphone Now.
5) Does the way I speak and deliver voice have to do with the quality of my sound?
Yes.
Microphones are designed for human articulation. Therefore part of optimizing sound is by following the expected distance between you and the device. A microphone catches your voice even without amplifying it so your sound comes in its most natural. However, there is a certain distance needed to cover the right sound production.
The handset system, for example, is designed to be close to your face to capture a natural and nice to hear sound. Anything closer than that will sound like yelling into the microphone that will not deliver a clear and quality voice.
6) What is the correct positioning of a microphone?
Using a high-quality microphone helps you improve voice recognition. This is because of the microphone’s design that constantly positions itself in front of your mouth. Did you know that even the slightest variations can drop recognition accuracy? The right microphone positioning intensifies this recognition.
Internal microphones (built into the computer or laptop) may offer a less impactful voice recognition due to the distance between you and the device. If you’re using cabled models, the mic is generally intended to get the best possible audio and is expected to work at that distance. Similarly, holding a lapel mic directly in front of your mouth may produce a too high volume level that can distort your voice.
The same applies to boom mics. Pulling it too close to your mouth will affect the clarity and impact of your voice. Check out the below mic positioning guide with respect to your mouth.
To position a headset microphone:
- Remember to place the microphone at about an inch from the side of your mouth to avoid noise from breathing.
- Point the front of the microphone toward your mouth and use the same positioning consistently.
To position a hand-held microphone:
- Hold the microphone a little below or to the side of your mouth to avoid noise from breathing.
- Remind yourself to maintain the device at about 1 to 3 inches away from your mouth.
- When using a microphone stand or holder, maintaining a consistent position will yield constant quality of sound.
To position a lapel microphone:
- Omnidirectional lapels pick up sound from all directions so attach the mic near the diaphragm or chest and pointed toward the speaker’s mouth.
- Directional lapels have a direction in which they are extremely sensitive to sound. Position them further from the sound source.
To make your lavalier mic sound better, we have tips here.
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Are you having issues with a microphone not working on Windows 10?
Watch this video.
7) Does dust contribute to the way a microphone works?
Typically, dust is a big culprit. Even if you have the most advanced model, your mic can still accumulate fine powder particles from being exposed to all kinds of environments. When it accumulates in the ports, it barricades them. Under normal conditions, cleaning these areas resolves the issue.
A fine mesh-like membrane is what many users find a helpful solution in preventing particles and dust from entering the ports especially when traveling.
8) Is it true that Bluetooth can make your voice poor?
A Bluetooth device offers the convenience of a wireless setup and freedom of movement. However, there are cases where the wireless mode throws more issues than solutions. Under poor connection and signal pickup, it can hinder the progress of a video meeting when your audio starts to sound scratchy.
Since Bluetooth is wireless, the range between the transmitter and receiver can be limited. Interference as well causes many wireless devices to run into a narrow frequency band with the tendency to become crowded. This can happen anytime and may impact the quality of your signal and range.
Don’t fret just yet. A lot of these problems are due to the wrong type of microphone or a poor quality microphone. With today’s fast-speed internet connection and an advanced Bluetooth microphone, Bluetooth is in the best position not to break the quality of your voice.
9) Does network coverage really affect the quality of a call?
A good microphone gives you an edge here, but again, no matter how good a device you have if you don’t have a strong radio signal, the transmission of data is still affected. A poor signal causes your voice data to drop.
If you’re experiencing a spotty video call, one reason is a crappy Wi-Fi connection. If your Wi-Fi network coverage is strong, communicating with an HD Voice is possible and you will enjoy a much higher quality sound and clarity ideal for conferencing.
10) What exactly makes a good quality microphone?
The purpose of a microphone is to let your voice be heard loud and clear enough to be understood. Since most background sounds normally occur, I suggest that you fo for a noise-canceling microphone. Although it doesn’t mean it’s flawlessly quiet, somehow the noise-canceling system can help amplify your voice a lot clearer to your students.
Noise cancellation is proven the modern feature of microphones that effectively help reduce or block out background noise. This is for you if you are teaching in a room that can access noise, near the street, or a crowded surrounding. More advanced models are capable of higher technology and likewise offer superior noise-canceling features, although they may be a bit to a lot pricey.
Read our post about microphones that deliver the best audio for online teaching. It’s here.
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To Sum It Up
Now you have the concept of what makes your microphone not working properly, try to master the solutions to every trouble. You may not be an expert, but making an effort to help resolve common issues help you master the idea.
While many people find troubleshooting quite demanding and confusing – learning the basics offers the solution. Isn’t it challenging to have a complete understanding of the reasons behind the problem?
I’ll also gladly answer any questions you might have so just leave them in the comments.
