sound card

**BunnyMan** · #1 (**permalink**) 01-16-2006, 09:56 PM

ok, so lately I've been thinking that perhaps my sound card is messed up. It plays audio fine but recording is being very funky. Even when the mic isn't plugged in I get a constant static sound (and I say constant cause I get a similar sound every time I try) I'm not looking for anything too specific, just looking to get an idea on how to go about checking it out, and maybe some other ideas on what may be wrong. (It's not the mic, I have made sure of that.)
Thanks ahead for any possible ideas.

**Maximal** · #2 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 10:13 AM

is it an integrated sound or an extra sound card?

try reloading your drivers and check for any updates

**Morty** · #3 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 04:11 PM

Try moving the cables themselves. I get that on mine once in awhile. Seems like sound card manufacturers, lets just make up numbers here......... make their socket .6 cm in diameter yet microphone jacks and speaker jacks tend to be .5 cm in diameter. The hole is always just a little sloppy. Kinda like Just_a_gal.

Where was I?.........

Oh ya, so sometimes I need to just wiggle the jack around and try and get it to enter the socket as straight as possible. Then again, sometimes at an angle works best.

Another thing to think about, is that maybe your PC is also using your webcam's microphone? It might actually be "recording" from more than 1 source.

**BunnyMan** · #4 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 05:08 PM

Don't have a webcam but the rest of that is a damn good suggestion. It would explain why sometimes I get a better sound than others, and would also explain why today when I did something to that nature it worked better. I also updated my drivers for my sound card while i was at it. Might as well.
Would still like to hear any other suggestions of possible problems. I'm just hoping that there isn't something wrong with the mic jack it self.

**Morty** · #5 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 05:19 PM

I doubt its the jack.

**BunnyMan** · #6 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 07:04 PM

I do too, the only reason I'm even fretfull of the idea is because it seemed to stop working very well almost overnight. I think the it just being loose suggestion may be the key tho.

**Maximal** · #7 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 07:13 PM

wrap a small piece of electrical tape around the jack, where it meets the plastic part, that'll help stabilize it in the hole

**Morty** · #8 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximal

wrap a small piece of electrical tape around the jack, .... that'll help stabilize it in the hole

That's the suggestion Max's wife gave him when they had sex for the first time. He couldn't keep his little pecker inline.

MD Willington · #9 (**permalink**) 01-18-2006, 02:41 PM

Cables can be a n issue if they are cheap, also the inside of every computer is very noisy. You could also see if the microphone has a "boost" or "amplify" option and try to turn that off, it may reduce the background noise. Another way to cancel out noise is a foam microphone cover.

Kase · #10 (**permalink**) 01-19-2006, 09:55 AM

And also in volume control check to see if alternative or secondary microphone is checked if you have it... other thing might be try front panel jack if you have one. I have a 4 channel Sound Blaster Live! Value if you want a cheap sound card... hell, just pay shipping and I'll give it to you