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Microphone problem for camtasia, videos etc. Any suggestions please?

by garyfromdurham
11 replies
Hi

I plugged in my Logitech USB microphone and got ready to record my new video but it didn't record any sound.

I plugged it into a friends desktop and my laptop and it worked perfectly. My friends computer uses Windows XP and my laptop is Vista Basic. I am using Vista Premium and I was wondering if that was why it wasn't working.

Does anybody have any ideas on what could be the problem please?

Thank you

Gary
#camtasia #microphone #problem #suggestions #videos
  • Profile picture of the author Caleb Spilchen
    Hey There,

    You might have an issue with your sound card in your computer, it may not be as good as your friends... or like with my grandpa's computer, you could have 0 amplification/0 volume, in your microphone settings. Go to your control panel and to sounds, make sure that the nobs for "amplification" and "level" are up!

    Caleb
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    Canadian Expat Living in Medellin, Colombia

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    • Profile picture of the author garyfromdurham
      Originally Posted by Caleb Spilchen View Post

      Hey There,

      You might have an issue with your sound card in your computer, it may not be as good as your friends... or like with my grandpa's computer, you could have 0 amplification/0 volume, in your microphone settings. Go to your control panel and to sounds, make sure that the nobs for "amplification" and "level" are up!

      Caleb
      Hi Caleb

      Thanks for taking the time to reply.

      I did the last couple of suggestions you made and they were okay so it must be as you suggest the sound card. It looks like a trip to PC World might be in order.

      Thanks for your help

      Gary
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      • Profile picture of the author Caleb Spilchen
        Originally Posted by garyfromdurham View Post

        Hi Caleb

        Thanks for taking the time to reply.

        I did the last couple of suggestions you made and they were okay so it must be as you suggest the sound card. It looks like a trip to PC World might be in order.

        Thanks for your help

        Gary
        Might want to read up on different sound cards. I use a netbook to do all my recordings...

        --Caleb
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        Canadian Expat Living in Medellin, Colombia

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        • Profile picture of the author garyfromdurham
          Originally Posted by Caleb Spilchen View Post

          Might want to read up on different sound cards. I use a netbook to do all my recordings...

          --Caleb
          Thanks Caleb

          I'll do some research.

          I could do the sound on my netbook too but I have all of my images, powerpoint and camtasia programs on my desktop. It would be handy to have them all together as I don't know if it is even possible to add audio to a powerpoint or camtasia presentation.

          Thanks again

          Gary
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          • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
            Originally Posted by garyfromdurham View Post

            It would be handy to have them all together as I don't know if it is even possible to add audio to a powerpoint or camtasia presentation.
            Actually Gary, some of the Camtasia experts recommend
            recording your screen presentation first, and then recording
            the audio separately afterwards.

            It depends upon what version of Camtasia you're using.

            (I think that from Version 4 onwards the video and audio
            tracks were separate).

            The advantage of recording the audio later is that you
            can concentrate on doing the screen recording actions
            first and end up producing a shorter video with fewer
            pauses and less mistakes and post-editing.

            I seem to have trouble doing a screen walkthrough, talking
            and typing at the same time!

            Of course, it takes a while longer to record the video
            and audio seperately, but the final result can be better.

            It depends upon the end application. If it's for a sellable
            infoproduct, it may be worth the extra time. If it's a quick
            video to subscribers then a cheap and cheerful video and
            audio recorded off-the-cuff may be fine.

            Dedicated to your success,

            Shaun
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            • Profile picture of the author garyfromdurham
              Shaun

              Thank you. I didn't know that and it would make sense to do them seperately...I just wasn't sure how easy it would be to marry the audio and visuals together so that they were timed correctly.

              I have Camtasia 6 so I should be able to do it. Would this also apply to Powerpoint?

              I really appreciate your help and advice.

              Thank you very much Shaun.

              Gary
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              • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
                Originally Posted by garyfromdurham View Post

                Thank you. I didn't know that and it would make sense to do them seperately...I just wasn't sure how easy it would be to marry the audio and visuals together so that they were timed correctly.

                I have Camtasia 6 so I should be able to do it. Would this also apply to Powerpoint?
                Yes - the audio and video are separate in Camtasia Studio 6.

                You can add additional audio tracks too.

                The recording of the screen and audio separately is easily
                done and matched up if you're only recording the what's
                on your computer screen, e.g PowerPoint.

                (If it's a head a shoulders or Picture-in-Picture with live
                video then you'll need to record at the same time).

                There are two options with recording PowerPoint:

                You can either use the PowerPoint/Camtasia Plugin or you
                can simply put your PowerPoint onto full screen and then
                record that area directly with Camtasia.

                I tend to do the latter because it's much easier for me to
                manage.

                Dedicated to your success,

                Shaun
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    • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
      Make sure that you've installed the correct drivers for
      the microphone.

      When you're in the Camtasia recorder, make sure that
      you've selected the correct microphone to record the
      sound.

      Also, beforehand within Vista...

      Go into your Control Panel > Hardware and Sound >
      Sound > Manage Audio Devices

      Make sure that your USB microphone appears on the panel.
      Also, make sure that the green level indicators are going
      up and down when you speak into the microphone.

      If it does, set it as the default recording device.

      Then go into the Camtasia Recorder and make sure you
      select the correct microphone for the recording.

      Dedicated to your success,

      Shaun
      Signature

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      • Profile picture of the author garyfromdurham
        Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

        Make sure that you've installed the correct drivers for
        the microphone.

        When you're in the Camtasia recorder, make sure that
        you've selected the correct microphone to record the
        sound.

        Also, beforehand within Vista...

        Go into your Control Panel > Hardware and Sound >
        Sound > Manage Audio Devices

        Make sure that your USB microphone appears on the panel.
        Also, make sure that the green level indicators are going
        up and down when you speak into the microphone.

        If it does, set it as the default recording device.

        Then go into the Camtasia Recorder and make sure you
        select the correct microphone for the recording.

        Dedicated to your success,

        Shaun
        Hi Shaun

        Nice to hear from you. I hope that you are well.

        Thanks for the advice. I will do as you suggest right now and see if that works.

        Thanks for your detailed reply...much appreciated

        Gary
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  • Profile picture of the author garyfromdurham
    Shaun

    Excellent. Thanks very Shaun for answering my questions and providing such an informative post.

    I can get started right now

    Many thanks

    Gary
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  • Profile picture of the author Todd R
    Gary,

    Don't worry too much about getting it perfect. Doing the audio at the same time as the video cause glitches, but those little imperfections give you a chance to be real and show how you work with problems as they come up. Soon you'll be able to smooth out almost any of the little technical problems that come up while you record with Camtasia and you'll have your own voice. It won't sound perfect, but it also won't sound slick, overproduced or just bland. The little glitches and your response to them are actually indearing.
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