The first time users get to know the Skype program, the question often arises: "How to set up a microphone in Skype the easiest way?" As part of the material that is brought to your attention, step-by-step instructions will be given. Following her instructions, solving this problem is not difficult. Nothing wrong with that. Therefore, we boldly take and do.
Choose
Now on the market there are many devices of this class. The cheapest of them cost 2 USD. In turn, premium microphones will cost you 400 USD. It is recommended to buy devices worth 20-30 USD. As practice shows, their quality is acceptable, and the cost is affordable. You can also buy headphones equipped with a microphone. But in this case, expect high
sound quality is not necessary. Conventionally, these sound devices can be divided into two types, depending on the connection method:
In the first case, a pin is used to connect, and in the second, a rectangular connector. From the standpoint of sound quality, it is better to purchase a microphone in the first performance. Regardless of your choice, the order of how to set up the microphone in Skype, will be identical for all types of devices. It consists of the following steps:
- PC connection.
- Setup and testing in the operating system.
- Setup and testing in Skype.
They will be painted in the future.
Hardware connection
How to turn on the microphone in Skype? At the first stage of the process, we perform hardware switching, that is, we connect the sound device to a personal computer. As mentioned earlier, either a 3.5 mm audio jack or USB can be used to connect. In the first case, we find on the system unit the sockets of the sound card. They can be located both on the back of the case, and on its front. Usually there are three of them: green (designed to output sound, headphones or speakers are connected to it), blue (used to input sound from a tape recorder, guitar or synthesizer) and pink (sometimes it can be peach-colored) wires from the microphone are brought here. It is in the last of them that you need to install the connector for connecting this audio device in this case. But with a USB connection, everything is much simpler. It is enough to find any rectangular connector of the desired shape and install a wire from the microphone into it.
Setting up in the operating system
After the hardware switching is over, a message should appear in the lower right corner of the monitor screen that the connector is connected. If this does not happen, then the sound driver may not be installed. They are on the disk that came with the motherboard. From it you need to install them, and then restart the computer. If the disk is not available, then download them from the official website of the motherboard manufacturer. Now let's figure out how to set up a microphone in Skype using the operating system. These parameters are the same for all Windows applications. To do this, perform the following manipulations:
- We go to the "Start". Then we need a “Control Panel”. In it we find the shortcut “Sound” and double-click on it with the left button of the manipulator. A window will open.
- Next, go to the "Record" tab. It contains a complete list of microphones connected to the computer. We find in it the one that is connected at the current moment in time, and make a double click on it. This opens the microphone properties window.
- Then go to the “Listen” tab. On it you need to check the box "Listen from this device." Click the "Apply" button. In this case, the connected headphones or speakers will start playing sounds from the microphone.
- Then click on "Advanced". In the “Default format” list, select the maximum frequency (ensures maximum sound quality). Click "Apply" again.
- We move to the tab "Levels". Here, at your discretion, you need to set two sliders: “Microphone” and “Microphone Gain”. Their values need to be set depending on the sound quality. Incorrect position of the sliders can lead to the fact that there will be a loud or quiet microphone in Skype. And the selection is performed as follows: set the value, click "Apply" and make sounds, which are then heard in the speakers or headphones. With sufficient sound quality, we proceed to the next stage. Otherwise, we continue to select their position.
- Once the sliders are installed, return to the “Listen” tab and remove the previously set check box. After that, click on the “OK” button.
This completes the configuration in the operating system.
Test in the operating system
After setting the parameters of the sound recording system in Windows, it is strongly recommended to conduct a test. To do this, in the “Sound” window (it should have remained open after the previous stage) in the “Recording” tab we find the microphone we need. Opposite it is a dark green column. If the microphone receives sound from the computer, then it should partially or completely (depending on the signal level) turn light green. If this happens, then everything is done correctly and you can proceed to the next step.
Setting in Skype
Further microphone setup in Skype is to adjust the initial settings in this program. First you need to install it. To do this, download the distribution kit from the official site. Then, following the instructions of the wizard, install "Skype" on your computer. At the next stage, you need to register in this service. Then the main program window will open. In it you need to go to the main menu item "Tools". In it, select the sub-item "Settings". The same window can be opened using the keyboard shortcuts “Ctrl” and “,” (a comma in the English keyboard layout). In its right column you need to select "Sound Settings". We indicate those devices in the “Microphone” and “Speakers” drop-down lists that are currently connected. We set the maximum signal level with the sliders at our discretion. If the microphone is phoning on Skype, then you need to uncheck the box "Automatic configuration
microphone ”in the same window. Click “OK” and save the previously set settings.
Skype test
Now let's figure out how to check the microphone on Skype. To do this, open the settings window using one of the previously described methods and go to the “Sound Settings” section. Then we pay attention to the slider opposite the Microphone field. When a sound appears, it should move to the right. Next, close this window. The next step is to make a test call. To do this, find “Echo” in the contact list and make a call. We listen to the message of the answering machine and after the sound signal we leave our record. Then it must be reproduced. If everything went well, and you heard yourself in response, then the microphone is configured and you can communicate. Otherwise, we check the connection and settings again.
Possible problems
Among the main problems that may arise in the process of communication in Skype, the following:
- Poor sound quality or its complete absence.
- Lack of image on the monitor screen.
- Poor picture in the process of communication.
A solution for each of them will be proposed in the next section.
Solutions
In the first case, you need to check the connection. Then check the settings of the operating system and Skype, and also make sure that the microphone and headphones or speakers are selected (the process of how to make a microphone in Skype was described earlier in the text, for headphones or speakers everything is the same, just need to use the "Speakers" section in the same window). Moreover, both users must do this procedure: problems can occur on each of the computers.
In the second case, you need to make sure that it is a video call (an icon with a video camera). Then you need to view the correct switching. We also check the drivers for the webcam and its correct operation in "Skype" (the main menu item "Tools", then select "Settings" and find the item "Video settings"). Here the picture from the webcam should be reproduced. In the latter case, install all available updates to the operating system. Perhaps the connection speed is low, which is why the picture is distorted during communication (in this case, you need to stop all processes, for example, a torrent or browser that use traffic).
Summary
As part of this article, it was described step-by-step how to set up a microphone in Skype. Following the previously stated instructions, properly configuring this program will not be difficult for both an experienced user and a beginner. So feel free to take and do it!