Terrible microphone/recording quality

Question

Hi, I recently bought a dell xps 14 ultrabook (2012) running windows 8 and I've loved it so far, but I've run into a dealbreaker of a problem with the mic. Any recording I make with the mic sounds terribly grainy/staticy and unclear (as if the speaker is mumbling). I consider myself very capable with technology so I've done most/all of the basic troubleshooting issues - I've uninstalled/reinstalled drivers straight from the dell site (the realtek audio drivers), I've messed with different settings in the audio recording volume panel (ie noise cancellation, stereo focusing), and I've experimented with different applications to record at different qualities. I can reduce the muffling of the speech a bit, but I cannot get rid of the grainy static noise in the background. This leads me to believe it is a hardware issue with the mic.  Any insight is appreciated, thanks! Alex

Will Vaughan · Answer

I'm having the exact same problem on the L421x ultrabook. I've reinstalled the drivers; verified settings through the HD Audio Manager and Windows Control Panel settings. Audio recording is unusably low accompanied by severe static. Skype is absolutely unusable at this point.

FYI - the microphone worked normally the first week after purchasing the computer approx. one month ago.

@Dell Support...Please advise!

DELL-Sundeep B · Answer

Hi Will Vaughan,

The XPS L421X is shipped with the Realtek High Definition Audio controller. The software used to control the Audio settings is Dell Audio Utility. At times the mic does not work properly because of incorrect settings. Try the steps below to update the driver and change the audio settings :

Uninstall the audio driver from the control panel and restart the computer
Update the audio driver from the link : http://dell.to/Q9B0oo
Please select the correct Operating System Expand the 'Audio' tab and download/install the Realtek Audio driver and restart the computer
Open the Dell Audio Utility from the right hand side bottom corner Notification Icon area on desktop (where time is displayed)
You might need to click on upward pointing arrow to show the hidden icons.
Click on 'Microphone' and adjust the Microphone levels
Click on Andrea and you can enable the Andrea enhancement settings and Noise Reduction

If the issue persists go to control panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Sound

Click on 'Recording' tab and select the 'Microphone' and click on 'Properties'
Click on 'Listen' and make sure Listen to this device is unchecked
Click on 'Levels' and ensure the microphone volume is at maximum level and microphone boost is minimum and test microphone.
If the volume is low please adjust the microphone boost to get the desired results.
Click on 'Advanced' tab and you can change the recording format.

Hope this helps.

Will Vaughan · Answer

Sundeep,

I followed every instruction provided step by step and the static problem persists. I was already running the latest drivers but I uninstalled and reinstalled after downloading a new executable from your link.

Are there any other options?

DELL-Sundeep B · Answer

Hi Will,

I have added you as a friend. Please accept my friend request by clicking on my name highlighted in blue and then click on “Friends” tab at the top and then click on “Request to Review” and finally click on “Accept” button.

I am sending you a private message as well. Click on “Inbox” to respond to the message and provide system’s Service Tag and contact details so I may access your system records and check for further course of action. You could also click on Start Conversation to send a private message.

dostimexist · Answer

hello i just got this laptop last week and i am facing the exact same issues. Already went through all your help to previous poster and still not working.

It reduces the static but its still there.

Should i contact support?

Locked Topics – Laptops General

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