Ubuntu 9.04: Microphone issues

Continuing the discussion of audio configuration issues on Ubuntu 9.04…

If you are using Skype, please also read my next article that discusses Skype on Ubuntu 9.04.

I suggest testing the microphone with the “Sound Recorder” that is found in the “Applications”->”Sound and Video” menu of the top bar on the Ubuntu desktop. Ensure that “voice, lossless (.wav)” (may vary according to your language) is selected. Click on “Record” and talk to the microphone. The “Level” bar should increase as you talk louder. Click on “Stop” and “Play” to hear if your voice was recorded sucessfully.

Issue 3: Microphone does not work

Solution: Enable the microphone capture. Right-click the volume icon on the left of the top bar on the Ubuntu desktop and select “Mixer” or “Volume Control” (may vary on according to your language). The mixer dialog opens. Click on “Preferences” to open the preferences dialog, enable “Microphone” and “Microphone Capture” and click on “Close” to return back. Move the “Microphone” slide up, ensure button underneath the slide is not “muted”. On the “Switches” tab, enable “”Microphone Capture”.

Issue 4: Microphone i****s too quiet

Solution: Raise capture volume. Back to the mixer dialog, click on “Preferences” to open the preferences dialog, enable “Capture” and click on “Close” to return back. On the “Recording” tab, move the “Capture” slide up, ensure button underneath the slide is not “muted”.

Issue 5: Is still too quiet

Solution: Enable the microphone boost. Back to the mixer dialog, click on “Preferences” to open the preferences dialog, enable “Mic boost +20dB” and click on “Close” to return back. On the “Switches” tab, enable “Mic boost +20dB”. If microphone becomes too lound or too noisy, just disable this option again.