Tip #2597 - Testing 1, 2, 3
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Q:
How can I test my microphone to make sure it's working properly?
A:
That's a great question, especially since we discussed using your microphone
in Wednesday's
newsletter. So, if you want to test either a recently purchased external
microphone or if you want to test one you already have (external or internal),
this is the tip for you! It's a good idea to test your microphone hardware
every once in awhile just so you can be sure that everything is working
properly. If you use your mic quite often, this is even more important
for you.
Alright, let's get
started. For Windows XP, make sure your external microphone is plugged
in and ready to go (if you have an internal one, you should be set to
go) and click on Start, All Programs,
Accessories, Entertainment, Volume
Control. The Master Volume box will come up and you will want
to go to the Options menu at the top and choose Properties.
Now, choose the radio
button that says Recording and click OK.
Another window will appear and you'll just want to make sure the Microphone
channel is selected. Go ahead and move the mic volume slider to around
the middle section, just so it's placed in that general area. Now, just
leave that box open.
Next, we're going
to need to go into the Control Panel, so click on Start,
Control Panel and click on the Sounds, Speech
and Audio Devices link. Choose Sounds and Audio Devices
and click on the Voice tab. Now, under the Voice recording
area, click on the Test Hardware button and the testing
will begin.
The Sound
Hardware Test Wizard will come up. Just click on the Next
button and wait for the wizard to complete the tests of the sound hardware.
This could take a couple minutes or so. When that is done, the Microphone
Test window will come up your screen. Now, go ahead and speak
into your mic or you can just tap it lightly if you wish. The Recording
Volume slider should move up and down in response to the sound
you are making through your microphone. When you're all done testing your
mic, just click on Finish and the wizard will close.
Just in case this
happens to you, while you're using the wizard, an alert box may pop up
telling you that the "Run a DLL as an App" program is blocked
and it will ask you if you want to unblock it. You can if you want, but
it is not necessary to unblock it for the mic test to function correctly.
You can follow similar
instructions for older versions of Windows. The only difference may be
that you'll go to Start, Programs, Accessories,
Entertainment and choose Sound Recorder instead
of Volume Control. From there on out, the above directions are very similar
and you will be fine if you just follow them.
~ Erin
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