User profile for user: mikeyb1987CPR
mikeyb1987CPR Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

How to stop auto-adjusting of conference room microphone?

Hello,


I'm currently at a loss here with my USB conference room microphone constantly going to 100% by itself. I have used Skype, Webex, Google Hangout, etc.. and notice that every time I am in one of these programs that my microphone goes to 100% by itself, despite setting it manually. My microphone is very sensitive. So sensitive, that when I set it manually in preferences at the 10% level, I can hear everything in the room without issues. Anything higher and I get echoes and feedback from the TV. I did checkmark the box in Skype to allow for manual adjusting, which didn't work until I made an edit to the microphone settings in Skype through a text editor. However, for other programs, how am I able to stop the microphone from skyrocketing to 100%? I am using a Mac Mini, OS X 10.8.2.

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Apr 23, 2013 8:31 AM

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User profile for user: OMGPonies!!!!!!
OMGPonies!!!!!!
User level: Level 1
9 points

Posted on Nov 27, 2017 3:17 PM

I think I've found the work-around for macOS.

You can create an “Aggregate Device”, which works with a single mic (but won’t help with multiple input sources)

The Aggregate Device doesn't have its own volume setting, so Skype, GoTo, etc, can't mess with it.


Open “Audio MIDI Setup”. You can quickly find this by hitting Command+Space, then type in MIDI.

Add “Aggregate Device”. In the left column at the bottom, hit the + sign and "Create Aggregate Device"

Click on the new Aggregate Device in the left column, and check 'Use' for your microphone in the right-hand panel.


Now the Aggregate Device should be avialable as an input in GoTo or Skype. You can still set the sensitivity of the microphone within the Aggregate Device as you normally do, and GoTo can't affect it anymore because it is hidden in the Aggregate Device.


This won't work with multiple Mics in GoTo; GoTo only uses the first channel, so the additional channels are ignored. Rogue Amoeba Loopback can get around this by creating an aggregate device that only has a single channel, regardless of the number of inputs. It is really slick, and easier to use than Audio MIDI Setup, but costs $99.

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User profile for user: OMGPonies!!!!!!
OMGPonies!!!!!!
User level: Level 1
9 points

Nov 27, 2017 3:17 PM in response to mikeyb1987CPR

I think I've found the work-around for macOS.

You can create an “Aggregate Device”, which works with a single mic (but won’t help with multiple input sources)

The Aggregate Device doesn't have its own volume setting, so Skype, GoTo, etc, can't mess with it.


Open “Audio MIDI Setup”. You can quickly find this by hitting Command+Space, then type in MIDI.

Add “Aggregate Device”. In the left column at the bottom, hit the + sign and "Create Aggregate Device"

Click on the new Aggregate Device in the left column, and check 'Use' for your microphone in the right-hand panel.


Now the Aggregate Device should be avialable as an input in GoTo or Skype. You can still set the sensitivity of the microphone within the Aggregate Device as you normally do, and GoTo can't affect it anymore because it is hidden in the Aggregate Device.


This won't work with multiple Mics in GoTo; GoTo only uses the first channel, so the additional channels are ignored. Rogue Amoeba Loopback can get around this by creating an aggregate device that only has a single channel, regardless of the number of inputs. It is really slick, and easier to use than Audio MIDI Setup, but costs $99.

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How to stop auto-adjusting of conference room microphone?

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