Windows 10 - Microphone Settings and Levels/Gain

Microphone Settings and Levels/Gain - Windows 10

Overview

If your microphone has different recording polar pattern settings, choose cardioid (focused) rather than bidirectional (figure-8) or omnidirectional, and ensure you are speaking into the front of the microphone.

ZOOdubs will monitor your audio levels for takes and warnings will be displayed if you exceed the following levels:

• Peak audio limit (clipping): -4dBFS

• Minimum average audio limit (average too quiet): -20dBFS

Note: The average is calculated across the duration of the take and excludes any gaps in the events where you are not speaking.

Note: If you’re just getting started, dBFS – or 'decibels relative to full scale' to use the full term – is a digital scale measured in negative numbers starting at the loudest possible sound that can be captured (sampled) – or 0 dBFS. As sound drops in volume, the number scale drops. So, 0 dBFS is full scale (loud) and as the sound level drops the numbers drop (-1, -2, -10 etc.…).

ZOOdubs Volume Meter

ZOOdubs also includes a simple volume meter that can provide an indication of the levels:

1. Select a loop and then in the Recording Controls panel, click the round grey button next to the volume meter.

2. Speak some test phrases with lots of P’s, T’s and* F*’s. Check that the monitor does not show red.

3. Record a loop but just say some test phrases, then check if ZOOdubs shows if the audio is clipping.
   

Adjusting the Gain/Level of the microphone on Windows 10

1. Right-click on the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your desktop and click Open Sound Settings. In the Sound Settings panel select Sound Control Panel:
   

2. The Sound properties will be shown, select the Recording tab:
   

3. The graphic next to your microphone gives a representation of the input signal. If the green bars are hitting the top then you will notice clipping; if your microphone level is too low, only the first few will show green.

4. If possible, adjust the gain on your microphone (or preamp) rather than on Windows, that way you are amplifying the signal at the source rather than trying to boost it after it has been received.

5. If you need to adjust it in Windows, right-click on your microphone and then select Properties.

6. Select the* Levels* tab and then adjust the gain by moving the slider left or right:
   

7. Click OK to apply the change.

8. Check the Recording tab again to see if the problem has been rectified and repeat if necessary.

Last updated Feb. 28, 2022, 2:31 p.m. by Duncan Muggleton