Did as suggested, changing both DisableMicFromPlayback and DisableMICSelect to 00 - no change. Input to MIC connections still gives very faint signal at headphone connection. Curiously, DisableHeadphone is also set to 01, but the headphones work fine with other audio sources.
If you are using line-in with a typical stereo plug, there might be an incompatibility. The jack on the models with STAC97 chips is a mono mic jack and does not have stereo capability. Try inserting the plug only halfway to get better contact.
Try running the external mic test in the audio section of Dell Diagnostics. To run Diagnostics restart the computer and as soon as it starts to boot up hold down f12. Select 'Diagnostic' from the boot menu. The computer will run its pre-boot assessment tests for 3 or 4 minutes before the Dell Diagnostic starts. These pre-boot tests play some beeps and tones through the system speaker but this doesn't test the rest of the audio hardware, so you still need to let Dell Diagnostics run after the pre-boot tests finish. Dell Diagnostics plays an instrumental piece of music complete with drums, so if you only hear some tones then you have only run the pre-boot assessment test.
When Dell Diagnostics opens, select 'custom', then the audio test. This will test your audio system independently of Windows and drivers, meaning it doesn't matter if they are working correctly or not.
Dell Diagnostics will play some audio and ask you whether you heard it, etc. Eventually the external mic test should come up. If the test passes that means the hardware is okay but there is a problem with the software or configuration. If it fails that means there is a hardware problem such as:
mic or cable doesn't work mic works but the plug is incompatible with the jack the jack is malfunctioning the audio chip is malfunctioning etc.
Ran the Dell Dianostics audio test, and it passed - including the internal mic test. It didn't even occur to me that the machine had an internal mic! Apparently, all the volume control adjustments I've been making have been affecting the internal mic.
So, I guess my question now becomes how do I disable the internal mic and enable the external mic input? Must have missed this in the owners manual...
The earliest 600m's have internal mics, but for some reason the ones built after March '05 don't.
When you set DisableMicSelect to 00, it should have enabled a control in the Sound & Audio properties to choose between 2 mics. Look under any 'advanced' button you can find. Try the Recording Control>Options>Advanced Controls>Advanced button.
Made some progress today. Found out the external mic input works with XP Sound Recorder, but levels are quite high. Also found that the external mic input works with my iMagic sound editor program, so that's a step in the right direction. Both recorders play back through the external headphones. At least it works! It seems the external mike works the same as the headphones - plug in the external and the internal is disabled.
The issue of levels I guess I'll have to deal with by using an attenuator. I'm sure they exist - just have to find one. Apparently the MIC input takes a lot lower levels than the line input on my desktop unit. Too bad Dell doesn't put this in the system info or specifications - I guess they think we'll figure out what they don't tell us.
Still curious why I can't hear the MIC input in the headphones or built-in speakers. Perhaps that's just a quirk of the SigmaTel system. My desktop will sit there happily all day playing what is fed to it. When I play back a recording, it will happily combine the input and the playback - if I want a clean playback of the recording, I have to disable the input. I guess my mistake was thinking the Dell would perform the same way. Silly me.
Anyway, thanks for your help. Dell doesn't give a very good map, so we end up going down a lot of dead ends!
The issue of levels I guess I'll have to deal with by using an attenuator. I'm sure they exist - just have to find one. Apparently the MIC input takes a lot lower levels than the line input on my desktop unit.
Al,
Mics output a much lower strength signal than line level, so there is a mic preamp circuit built-in to almost any mic jack. Try finding "mic boost" and unchecking it, lower the record level, and finally lower the volume level of your external device.
Remember that if you are using a stereo device probably only 1 channel is getting through. You can get a stereo-to-mono plug adapter that will allow both channels to be recorded -- but they will be combined into one mono track.
Still curious why I can't hear the MIC input in the headphones or built-in speakers. Perhaps that's just a quirk of the SigmaTel system.
It isn't a quirk of Sigmatel. It's because Dell ships Inspirons with the ability to monitor the input jack turned off in the Registry (on yours and other older models; in newer models they seem to have it turned off in the inf files of the audio driver). I don't know why the instructions didn't work for you. After you made the Registry edits did you finish up by configuring the mixer?
Dell doesn't give a very good map, so we end up going down a lot of dead ends!
And to this day the manuals are still lacking in proper instructions about the mics.
FYI, I did a registry search on SigmaTel and found two instances of Line States parameters. One is at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Micosoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\VolumeControl\SigmaTel Audio. A similar if not identical instance is in HKEY_USERS. The parameter is a big hexadecimal number that I wouldn't dare change without guidance. Perhaps Dell.....naaaah.
Found a nice attenuator for the input line. It's actually an inline volume control for headphones. Male plug, female jack, and a blob in the middle with a thumbwheel for volume control. I set the MIC level in Record Control in the middle, and adjusted the thumbwheel until I liked the record levels with iMagic. A wrap of electrical tape keeps the wheel from 'drifting' accidentally.
I'm going to have to do some more experimenting to see if I'm getting stereo or mono input.
No, I didn't change the mixer -I didn't think that was something I'd have to change. I'll have to play with that too.
An update on the stereo vs mono issue. First, the desktop unit (Realtek HD Audio) is definately getting a stereo signal, as well as the iMagic software. Unplugging individual RCA plugs on the back of the source amp caused one channel to disappear at a time. I added the attenuator to that line, and the situation didn't change - discrete L&R signals.
Different situation with the Inspiron 600m - when I unplugged the R channel, there was no change to either recording channel. When I unplugged the L channel, BOTH recording channels disappeared. Looks like if I want to record in stereo, I need a different laptop! Unless of course, there's a registry fix for the disappearing channel.
There isn't any disappearing channel. It is a mono mic input, not a stereo line-in. Only 1 side gets through unless you use an adapter to combine both channels into 1 mono signal.
About configuring the mixer, I meant did you complete the 2nd half of the instructions? You have to unmute the mic volume control in order to hear it, if you haven't done so yet.
The lack of stereo really kills the issue for me. I think my best recourse at this time is an external audio card - either PCMCIA or USB - with better capabilities. The Audigy 2 ZS Notebook looks attractive, but I still have to check compatability with the 02Micro Smart Card Bus Controller. I'd consider USB, but I'm not sure if the 600m has USB 2.0. More likely, the 'Dell Special' USB 0.3
You must get pretty frustrated monitoring this forum and trying to help people get their machines working like they want. Like trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear! I'd mark this thread closed, but I can't figure out how to do it (must be a Dell site).
You must get pretty frustrated monitoring this forum and trying to help people get their machines working like they want. Like trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!
Al,
Ha, ha. No, not at all. This is a great hobby for me and I enjoy answering questions. Sometimes on other message boards (and sometimes on this one) I see "regulars" who get upset and express feelings that people should search the boards or get the answers from the FAQ's or whatever, and I wonder why they participate if it makes them so unhappy. They particularly don't like getting the same questions over and over again. Those are the ones I like if I know the answer. The only thing that sometimes frustrates me is the nature of communicating via the written word, where you lose all the nuances of face to face contact. A lot of times one can't be sure if true communication is occurring or not.
I'd mark this thread closed, but I can't figure out how to do it (must be a Dell site).
You can use the "options" tab at the top of the "reply" page to lock a post from being answered, but I don't think you can mark it closed.
Both usb ports on the 600m are 2.0 according to "Specifications" in the owner's manual. I feel sure that is correct.
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
December 13th, 2008 18:00
Take a look at this thread and see if it helps -- the 1st set of instructions for models with Sigmatel STAC97 audio.
"Why can't I hear sounds from a microphone or music player plugged into the Mic Jack?"
aesch
13 Posts
0
December 13th, 2008 19:00
Did as suggested, changing both DisableMicFromPlayback and DisableMICSelect to 00 - no change. Input to MIC connections still gives very faint signal at headphone connection. Curiously, DisableHeadphone is also set to 01, but the headphones work fine with other audio sources.
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
December 13th, 2008 20:00
If you are using line-in with a typical stereo plug, there might be an incompatibility. The jack on the models with STAC97 chips is a mono mic jack and does not have stereo capability. Try inserting the plug only halfway to get better contact.
Try running the external mic test in the audio section of Dell Diagnostics. To run Diagnostics restart the computer and as soon as it starts to boot up hold down f12. Select 'Diagnostic' from the boot menu. The computer will run its pre-boot assessment tests for 3 or 4 minutes before the Dell Diagnostic starts. These pre-boot tests play some beeps and tones through the system speaker but this doesn't test the rest of the audio hardware, so you still need to let Dell Diagnostics run after the pre-boot tests finish. Dell Diagnostics plays an instrumental piece of music complete with drums, so if you only hear some tones then you have only run the pre-boot assessment test.
When Dell Diagnostics opens, select 'custom', then the audio test. This will test your audio system independently of Windows and drivers, meaning it doesn't matter if they are working correctly or not.
Dell Diagnostics will play some audio and ask you whether you heard it, etc. Eventually the external mic test should come up. If the test passes that means the hardware is okay but there is a problem with the software or configuration. If it fails that means there is a hardware problem such as:
mic or cable doesn't work
mic works but the plug is incompatible with the jack
the jack is malfunctioning
the audio chip is malfunctioning
etc.
aesch
13 Posts
0
December 13th, 2008 20:00
Yes, I'm using a std 1/8" stereo plug. Inserting part way made no difference. Can't believe I bought a machine with only mono input capability???
Its getting a bit late in the day - I'll try to get to the Dell Diagnostics tomorrow. Thanks for your help so far!
aesch
13 Posts
0
December 14th, 2008 07:00
Hi Jim,
Ran the Dell Dianostics audio test, and it passed - including the internal mic test. It didn't even occur to me that the machine had an internal mic! Apparently, all the volume control adjustments I've been making have been affecting the internal mic.
So, I guess my question now becomes how do I disable the internal mic and enable the external mic input? Must have missed this in the owners manual...
Al
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
December 14th, 2008 11:00
The earliest 600m's have internal mics, but for some reason the ones built after March '05 don't.
When you set DisableMicSelect to 00, it should have enabled a control in the Sound & Audio properties to choose between 2 mics. Look under any 'advanced' button you can find. Try the Recording Control>Options>Advanced Controls>Advanced button.
aesch
13 Posts
0
December 15th, 2008 15:00
Made some progress today. Found out the external mic input works with XP Sound Recorder, but levels are quite high. Also found that the external mic input works with my iMagic sound editor program, so that's a step in the right direction. Both recorders play back through the external headphones. At least it works! It seems the external mike works the same as the headphones - plug in the external and the internal is disabled.
The issue of levels I guess I'll have to deal with by using an attenuator. I'm sure they exist - just have to find one. Apparently the MIC input takes a lot lower levels than the line input on my desktop unit. Too bad Dell doesn't put this in the system info or specifications - I guess they think we'll figure out what they don't tell us.
Still curious why I can't hear the MIC input in the headphones or built-in speakers. Perhaps that's just a quirk of the SigmaTel system. My desktop will sit there happily all day playing what is fed to it. When I play back a recording, it will happily combine the input and the playback - if I want a clean playback of the recording, I have to disable the input. I guess my mistake was thinking the Dell would perform the same way. Silly me.
Anyway, thanks for your help. Dell doesn't give a very good map, so we end up going down a lot of dead ends!
Al
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
December 15th, 2008 20:00
Al,
Mics output a much lower strength signal than line level, so there is a mic preamp circuit built-in to almost any mic jack. Try finding "mic boost" and unchecking it, lower the record level, and finally lower the volume level of your external device.
Remember that if you are using a stereo device probably only 1 channel is getting through. You can get a stereo-to-mono plug adapter that will allow both channels to be recorded -- but they will be combined into one mono track.
It isn't a quirk of Sigmatel. It's because Dell ships Inspirons with the ability to monitor the input jack turned off in the Registry (on yours and other older models; in newer models they seem to have it turned off in the inf files of the audio driver). I don't know why the instructions didn't work for you. After you made the Registry edits did you finish up by configuring the mixer?
And to this day the manuals are still lacking in proper instructions about the mics.
aesch
13 Posts
0
December 16th, 2008 11:00
Jim,
FYI, I did a registry search on SigmaTel and found two instances of Line States parameters. One is at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Micosoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\VolumeControl\SigmaTel Audio. A similar if not identical instance is in HKEY_USERS. The parameter is a big hexadecimal number that I wouldn't dare change without guidance. Perhaps Dell.....naaaah.
Found a nice attenuator for the input line. It's actually an inline volume control for headphones. Male plug, female jack, and a blob in the middle with a thumbwheel for volume control. I set the MIC level in Record Control in the middle, and adjusted the thumbwheel until I liked the record levels with iMagic. A wrap of electrical tape keeps the wheel from 'drifting' accidentally.
I'm going to have to do some more experimenting to see if I'm getting stereo or mono input.
No, I didn't change the mixer -I didn't think that was something I'd have to change. I'll have to play with that too.
regards,
Al
aesch
13 Posts
0
December 16th, 2008 12:00
Jim,
An update on the stereo vs mono issue. First, the desktop unit (Realtek HD Audio) is definately getting a stereo signal, as well as the iMagic software. Unplugging individual RCA plugs on the back of the source amp caused one channel to disappear at a time. I added the attenuator to that line, and the situation didn't change - discrete L&R signals.
Different situation with the Inspiron 600m - when I unplugged the R channel, there was no change to either recording channel. When I unplugged the L channel, BOTH recording channels disappeared. Looks like if I want to record in stereo, I need a different laptop! Unless of course, there's a registry fix for the disappearing channel.
regards
Al
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
December 16th, 2008 15:00
Al,
There isn't any disappearing channel. It is a mono mic input, not a stereo line-in. Only 1 side gets through unless you use an adapter to combine both channels into 1 mono signal.
About configuring the mixer, I meant did you complete the 2nd half of the instructions? You have to unmute the mic volume control in order to hear it, if you haven't done so yet.
aesch
13 Posts
0
December 16th, 2008 18:00
Jim,
Yes, everything I could find was un-muted.
The lack of stereo really kills the issue for me. I think my best recourse at this time is an external audio card - either PCMCIA or USB - with better capabilities. The Audigy 2 ZS Notebook looks attractive, but I still have to check compatability with the 02Micro Smart Card Bus Controller. I'd consider USB, but I'm not sure if the 600m has USB 2.0. More likely, the 'Dell Special' USB 0.3
You must get pretty frustrated monitoring this forum and trying to help people get their machines working like they want. Like trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear! I'd mark this thread closed, but I can't figure out how to do it (must be a Dell site).
Regards
Al
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
December 16th, 2008 19:00
Al,
Ha, ha. No, not at all. This is a great hobby for me and I enjoy answering questions. Sometimes on other message boards (and sometimes on this one) I see "regulars" who get upset and express feelings that people should search the boards or get the answers from the FAQ's or whatever, and I wonder why they participate if it makes them so unhappy. They particularly don't like getting the same questions over and over again. Those are the ones I like if I know the answer. The only thing that sometimes frustrates me is the nature of communicating via the written word, where you lose all the nuances of face to face contact. A lot of times one can't be sure if true communication is occurring or not.
I'd mark this thread closed, but I can't figure out how to do it (must be a Dell site).
You can use the "options" tab at the top of the "reply" page to lock a post from being answered, but I don't think you can mark it closed.
Both usb ports on the 600m are 2.0 according to "Specifications" in the owner's manual. I feel sure that is correct.