USB Mic (static, robot sounds)

Question

Level 1

8 points

USB Mic (static, robot sounds)

Only in the last month or so, I have been having problems with my usb mic(s). When I am using Ventrilo, Skype etc., after a while people say I sound like a robot and or get a ton of static. I have tried using different headsets, different usb ports etc etc., only to have it keep occuring.

Any ideas on what I can do? Is this a sound board going bad? Is it maybe something with 10.5.7?

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.7), This Mac Pro is a 2 x 2.66 GHz, Dual-Core Intel Xeon, and 4GB, DDR2 667Mhz Ram.

Posted on Jun 24, 2009 8:53 AM

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Answer 1

direwolf8

Level 4

1,286 points

Jun 24, 2009 9:14 AM in response to StressDev

What else is on your USB bus that might be doing I/O at the same time? Is the USB mic getting enough power?

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Answer 2

StressDev Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 1, 2009 5:57 AM in response to direwolf8

I have an external USB drive, and of course keyboard/mouse. I recently added a second video card, do you think this is drawing power away from the USB at all?

Otherwise before that it was working just fine with all the same pieces connected to the usb.

Do you think it would help to connect the mic to the keyboard vs directly to the computer or is it basically all the same?

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Answer 3

direwolf8

Level 4

1,286 points

Jul 1, 2009 7:06 AM in response to StressDev

The USB connectors on some macs don't supply the same amount of power, so it's possible that you're not getting enough. Rather than connecting to the keyboard USB connector I'd try a powered USB hub.

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Answer 4

CdaveC

Level 1

10 points

Aug 14, 2009 7:03 PM in response to StressDev

This likely has to do with USB Clocking. Mac OS 10.5 is actually pretty bad with this. Have a read of this article and follow their recommendation for creating an aggregate audio device. Even if you have only one mic it sometimes seems to fix things:
http://www.macworld.com/article/138535/2009/02/audio_input.html

Message was edited by: CdaveC

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Answer 5

Dabo7

Level 1

0 points

Sep 3, 2009 10:08 PM in response to StressDev

I have this same issue, and I noticed it only now started doing it after the lastest firmware update. Another buddy of mine on Vent started having it (He has a MBP also), then I finally installed the Firmware updates apple update had been buggin me to do for week, and BAM!! I suddenly had the problem.

I will try the linked website, and see what happens.

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Answer 6

Dabo7

Level 1

0 points

Sep 4, 2009 10:52 PM in response to Dabo7

Ok, so I did what that site suggested, and made an aggregate audi device. Apparently I sound better in vent, but after extended use, I still sound like a "Robot". 😟

I'll keep playing around with it and see what happens.

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Answer 7

Dabo7

Level 1

0 points

Sep 16, 2009 9:15 PM in response to StressDev

Still have this problem, wanting to buy help. Haven't been able to figure anything out after all my attempts 😟

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USB Mic (static, robot sounds)