Boost Microphone Input

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Level 1

76 points

Boost Microphone Input

I recently bought a StarLogic USB 5.1 Audio Interface for my Mac Mini. I know that OS X is not officially supported, but because it was only $8.00, I thought I'd try it out.

When I plugged it in it worked just fine and I have a headset attached to it. I've also tested it with Skype. The only problem I have is that some people that some people say that my Microphone is too soft. When I go to the Audio Control panel and select it under Input, I cant adjust the volume. Underneath the Input Level meter there is just a message saying "The selected device has no input controls". I assume this is because it wasn't designed for OSX.

I was wondering if there was any software that would boost the signal coming into my mac.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.4.4), Other Macs: Power Macintosh 6100, Macintosh LC II, Macintosh SE Superdrive, Macintosh Plus

Posted on Jan 13, 2006 5:04 PM

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

85,308 points

Jan 13, 2006 5:50 PM in response to Vegabondsx

Welcome to Apple Discussions!

It is possible that the problem you are faced with is audio amplification. If you were to boost the signal any stronger than Apple menu -> System preferences -> sound input gets, you may get some static when it gets too strong. It is the same problem faced with making recordings of older recordings that weren't done with sufficient amplification. It might just be better to get a microphone with its own built-in amplification.

The other possibility is the people you are talking with aren't using amplified speakers on their computers, or don't know how to change their volume on their computers. Since you say it is only happening to some people, I think that is more likely. I find for instance that if I wear headphones, I get much more volume than the built-in speakers of my Mac, or connect external amplified speakers that I do.

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Answer 2

Vegabondsx Author

Level 1

76 points

Jan 13, 2006 8:21 PM in response to a brody

I know that the audio interface is capible of transmitting higher amplification because I've attached an amplified karaoke microphone to it. Even if it can potentially get static, I still would like to see if there is a software solution. Increasing the input's gain with software should be relatively easy. What I want to know, is how I can increase the gain with software.

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Answer 3

a brody

Level 10

85,308 points

Jan 14, 2006 5:03 AM in response to Vegabondsx

You may be able to increase the input gain with software, but it would only be on that software title itself that the input gain would be realized. Your desire to have multiple applications receive input gain suggest what you are looking for is some sort of addon driver to do this that all applications can recognize.

Now one piece of hardware which is made for the Mac that does have input gain control through software, I have found is the iMic:

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/10300

You might want to contact Griffin and see if that software can be extended to work with all audio input devices. Otherwise you may have to get an iMic.

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