USB microphone?

[Lusche]

I'm having tremendous trouble getting VOX to work satisfactorily. I'm well past the ""check mute / mic boost / drivers" level. Fact is, both with my desktop mike as well my headset mic I'm barely audible at best, most times even completely garbled if I don't yell like a madman. This is the case both with an old Hercules Muse LT sound card as well with my (standard) Audigy SE.
Funny enough, my vox is just fine when using my Realtek on-board sound module. Unfortunately the game sounds are pretty awful with that (like listening via telephone, with a couple very odd effects thrown in), so this is no option either.

I may be able to afford a cheapo USB desktop mike. I've read that USB mikes do usually provide a clearer and louder signal.
Am I right in assuming that using such a device parallel to my Audigy soundcard should work without problems and that it may fix my vox issues?
Or do I just have to accept vox is off limits for me as I can't afford a better soundcard or a 80€ headset?

[VonMessa]

I use a Logitech USB headphone/mic combo.  I think it was around 30 USD.  Haven't had a problem with it, and it also takes the abuse that my kids put upon it.

[BaldEagl]

I've got a Logitech mic I bought at Best Buy.  I think it was like $15.00.  Works great plugged into my Creative X-Fi Gamer and my Creative Live Value before that.

I got it because my old mike crapped out.  Maybe yours has too.

[EDIT]  I just re-read your post.  It seems that with both your mike and headset acting up through your soundcard, but not through your on-board sound, that the problem is likely in the mic connection to your soundcard.  If you want to try the cheapest method first, go down to the local harware store, buy some electrical contact cleaner and spray some into the mic jack.  If that doesn't work then it's probably the sound card.

[68Wooley]

I use a USB headset - never had any problems.

[Lusche]

I know that USB headsets itself do work fine, but that's not what I'm looking for.

As stated before I'm thinking about an USB mike only - for sound output I'd still use my Audigy SE soundcard. My orginal question was wether such a combination should work without trouble, and if USB mikes are really superior to conventional ones (clearer, louder signal)?

  It seems that with both your mike and headset acting up through your soundcard, but not through your on-board sound, that the problem is likely in the mic connection to your soundcard.  If you want to try the cheapest method first, go down to the local harware store, buy some electrical contact cleaner and spray some into the mic jack.  If that doesn't work then it's probably the sound card.

Unfortunately both sound card's contatcs had been cleaned and still no joy.
I have to add that my mike problems are limited to AH only. Ever yother application I tried (teamspeak, skype, windows sound recorder) worked just fine.

[StarOfAfrica2]

Lusche, have you tried checking the "use wave in" box in the voice options?

[Lusche]

Lusche, have you tried checking the "use wave in" box in the voice options?

Oh yes.

I did very thorough tests, with each card/mic combination. Took me almost a full day going through all the possible setting with each combo, be it AH setting or windows setups.

Actually I have helped quite a few players to set up their vox in the last years... and suddenly I'm the one who can't get it to work 

[StarOfAfrica2]

On your Sound and Audio Devices panel, on the Audio tab, did you try checking or unchecking the box at the bottom that says "use only default devices"?  On some this makes things stop working.  On others it makes it start working. 

The other thing I'm curious about, is whether you disabled the onboard sound when you installed the Audigy?  I know its obvious but sometimes even the most experienced guys overlook something simple.  If both are still listed in your system, does your Audio tab show the default device as the Audigy card?

[Lusche]

OF course onboard sound was disabled and no drivers were installed.

And yes, I did check/uncheck every possible setting, in every possible combination, and so i did the one you mentioned. A whole wasted day of step-by-step tests. It's not the first time I'm doing such things (building systems for many many years), so I tried to make sure that I'm not forgetting something. I even read most of the posts on that topic on this  BBS, just in case I'm having a major bain blackout

And as said before, I could get  clear & loud voice in any application but AH.

[VonMessa]

I can use my usb headset (for mic only), but still put sound through my audigy.

[Lusche]

I can use my usb headset (for mic only), but still put sound through my audigy.

Hmm interesting. That definitely does answer one of my questions - both is possible at the same time.

But I assume you can't plug the USB headset into that audigy anyways... so I would have to wear 2 headsets ?

(A bit tongue-in-cheek as I can't afford another proper headset anyway)

So there still stands the question: is an USB mike's quality better than a analog ones connected to the soundcard? Could that be the solution for my mike problem?

[BaldEagl]

Stupid questions but have you tried unisntalling and reinstalling AH since thats the only program where there's a problem?

Also, think back, did you do something to the system between the time it worked and the time it didn't?  Sometimes it's the most unlikely thing causing the issue.

[Lusche]

Stupid questions but have you tried unisntalling and reinstalling AH since thats the only program where there's a problem?

Also, think back, did you do something to the system between the time it worked and the time it didn't?  Sometimes it's the most unlikely thing causing the issue.

Had the same problem even after full  Windows & Ah reinstall from scratch.

[Rolex]

I don't think a generic yes or no can be said about USB vs. standard microphone quality. The quality of the A-D  (Analog-Digital) conversion circuit can affect it. My guess is that a USB mic is not going to make everything better.

How is the audio quality in a .ahf with you speaking on a tuned channel?

[DustyR]

How is the audio quality in a .ahf with you speaking on a tuned channel?

I use a USB VOX that can be use either way.  You unplug the USB adapter & I see little or no difference in operation.  It is very clear used either way.  Unit is a Logitech from 'Best Buy' approximately $50.