Microphone problem with MA790X-UD4P

[sbi]

Hello,

As mentioned in the Subject: microphone is connected to the Mic jack (the red jack). I use Google Talk and Skype. In both apps, the other party cannot hear me unless I literally touch my lips with the mic. If I move even 2 inches away from the mic, other party cannot hear me.
I checked another microphone (different brand) in the same jack - same results.
I tried a USB camera with built-in mic, which is mounted on the top of the monitor - other parties heard me perfect.
Obviously it's not the mic because I tested two mics, it looks like something in the mobo/sound card/connection/etc.

Any idea what this could be and how to attack it?

Thanks.

[bofh1971]

in Realtek audio properties (Gigabyte realtek panel) there will be a Boost Mic optioin, where you can specify the amount of boost the MIC gets
this should solve your problem, worked great with my Headset for gaming.

[sbi]

Thanks. Unfortunately there is no such option in my Gigabyte Realtek. All I have under Microphone is Noise Supression and Acoustic Echo Cancellation. I played with pretty much every option in the realtek panel but it didn't change anything.
Also, in the Mixer tab, I tried to increase the Record level, but for some reason it keeps moving back to - ...not sure if it even affects the microphone.

[bofh1971]

you could try downloading the latest driver from www.realtek.com.tw (slow downloads from here)
the latest driver package will install a new Audio control panel, the boost setting on mine is just to the right of the Mic level setting, it brings up a sub-windows that lets you specify the amount of boost, so as not to distort.

[sbi]

OK, so I downloaded the newer software/driver. I now have some new options that I did not have before, including a Mic calibration, but even with the Mic Volume of Mic Calibration all the way up (100%), unless I put the mic about 2 cm from my mouth the bar doesn't move, which means - still very low sensitivity. This is frustrating.

[bofh1971]

one thing to try is another port on the back of the pc.
when you plug it in you can tell it what device it is, I know this generally works with speakers, havent tried it with a mic yet.
anyone else done this?

[sbi]

You mean - connect the mic to a different port and when the Realtek interface pops up just change this port to a MIC (even if it is supposed to be for something else) and it will enable this as a mic??

[bofh1971]

yep, I know it works with headphones etc but havent tried moving the mic, I do reckon all the ports are bi-directional though

[sbi]

Nope, it doesn't work...can't connect mic to any other port. This is really drives me insane.

[bofh1971]

only thing I can think of is to get a 3rd party soundcard that maybe has better sensitivity on the mic port.

I did go through a couple of headsets before I found one that was good with pc sound though.

strange that its better on a webcam through usb, maybe a usb mic will be a better option?

[sbi]

Yeah, I guess i could get a USB mic or even buy a new camera and even save one annoying cable by eliminating the mic, but I feel like it's kind of "giving in' instead of solving the real problem. this is an expensive mobo, why would it not work properly...?!

[bofh1971]

the motherboard may be expensive but onboard sound is for the most part cheap realtek components, many users go with a dedicated sound card for quality

a soundcard with a similar chip to the onboard sound is around £10-12

in the past realtek chipsets have caused lots of problems, including system instability, as recently as about a month ago for me
BSOD's down to the driver, but years back I had to update the realtek driver every time Half life2 was updated.

good luck sorting it all out

[sbi]

Well, I bought myself a new camera with built-in Mic, one USB cable. Mic is working perfect (mind you - the camera is on the top of the monitor so the mic is around 2 ft. away from me and the other party hears me, well, perfect...with normal voice.

So obviously there is something wrong with this mic jack. As I said, it's annoying having to buy a new camera, however the bright side is that I have one less cable to clutter behind the computer.

Thanks all.