Low volume on Front Mic issue with Via VT2021 audio chipset on GA-Z77X-UD3H

[another-forum-account]

Hi everyone,
I just upgraded by 5 year old system and have been experiencing low front mic volume issue.
Basically I am seeing the same issue as explained in this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNULfk2yCqc youtube video, except that the audio chip in my case is the via VT2021 and using the Via Envy HD software.
The mobo manual http://www.manualowl.com/m/Gigabyte/GA-Z77X-UD3H/Manual/273230 Page 107 describes configuring the microphone that I tried following, but I am not seeing the 'microphone' volume slider that is stated in 'Step 3', only the 'Rec' volume slider.
This http://imgur.com/LWYPOzc is a screenshot of my pc.
This http://imgur.com/hkMCPtN is a reference image of the microphone settings. Here 'Mic' volume is listed as 'Speaker output', probably since this particular via software is custom to an Asus mobo.
any help would be really appreciated...
Thanks!

[ysw]

the settings seems ok for mic.
you may try this--By increasing the volume of the speaker can increase MIC volume as well.

[another-forum-account]

thanks for replying ysw.

but that trick is a no-go...

just to give you an idea of how bad the problem is...

when i run the 'Set up microphone', the voice capture is so weak that the set up wizard is recommending checking mic settings.

the only way i can get the mic to capture my speech is to literally have the mic in my mouth - not desirable...