Skip navigation
debgok
debgok
Currently Being Moderated

Recording audio level in Sound control panel resets after each slide

Dec 13, 2011 3:19 PM

This has been a HUGE problem for me ever since I went from Windows XP to Windows 7 and Captivate 5.5.  Basically, the sound was not recording loudly enough no matter what I did.  So, I checked the Sound Control Panel and the Level was down to 12.  Of course, I adjusted it to 100.  It would stay at 100 for just one recording.  As soon as I hit the red recording button a second time, Captivate readjusts it back down to 12. 

 

Now, you might think that this has something to do with my hardware device.  Think again.  I tried numerous hardware devices -- it did not matter which device I used -- the problem remained the same.  You might also think that it is not a Captivate problem, but how do you explain that the problem does not exist when I record audio in any other program -- Lectora, Articulate, Windows Audio recorder?  It ONLY occurs with Captivate.

 

So, I finally got an Adobe Support person on the phone ...  somewhere way down in TIMBUCKTOO -- of course!  And of course, he could not help me or explain why this is happening and tried to blame it on anything except Captivate.  This has added 6-7 keystrokes to every slide I have to record....  and drastically impacted productivity.

 

Is anybody listening out there?  Because I'm pulling my hair out and ready to dump Captivate!

1397 Views   19 Replies   Latest reply: debgok, May 8, 2013 3:07 PM
 
Replies
  • RodWard
    Currently Being Moderated
    1. RodWard,
    Dec 13, 2011 4:36 PM   in reply to debgok
    Report

    What are your Calibrate Audio settings?

     

    Do these also change dynamically without you wishing?

     

    Audio_CalibrateAudioSetting.png

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • debgok
    Currently Being Moderated
    2. debgok,
    Dec 14, 2011 7:15 AM   in reply to RodWard
    Report

    I've tried each different setting:  CD Bitrate, Near CD Bitrate, etc.  And I've been auto-calibrating.  When I auto-calibrate, I end up with a setting of Custom at about 202.  After recording, these settings don't change.  What changes is my Sound Control panel level setting on my recording device, but it does not change until AFTER I hit the record button a second time.  I stumbled on one workaround:  If I go to the Advanced Tab on the Sound Control panel under "Default Format," there is a dropdown menu.  If I make another selection on that dropdown (toggling between CD Quality and DVD Quality after each recording) and hit Apply, then the next time I hit the red record button in Captivate, it does not set back the sound level on the recording device.  So, that's what I'm doing before each and every sound recording!  This is what's making me crazy ...

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • Trainer_Sheri
    Currently Being Moderated
    3. Trainer_Sheri,
    Mar 13, 2012 8:41 PM   in reply to debgok
    Report

    I am having the EXACT same issue - I am also using Windows 7 and Captivate version 5.5. Can you tell me if you ever found a fix for this? It is taking A TON of time to go back and fix the audio level after EVERY slide. PLEASE HELP!!!!! I have used Captivate for years and am seriously considering dumping it after this.

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • debgok
    Currently Being Moderated
    4. debgok,
    Mar 14, 2012 6:47 AM   in reply to Trainer_Sheri
    Report

    Finally!  Someone else speaks up.  I called Adobe Support (after waiting for hours) and they were no help at all.  This is clearly a BIG issue and they are not addressing it at all.

     

    I am using Camtasia now... 

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • debgok
    Currently Being Moderated
    5. debgok,
    Mar 14, 2012 6:49 AM   in reply to debgok
    Report

    No -- they don't.  It's only the Sound Control panel "level" on the microphone device.  Clearly, Adobe did not do enough regression testing on Windows 7.

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • RodWard
    Currently Being Moderated
    6. RodWard,
    Mar 14, 2012 6:56 AM   in reply to debgok
    Report

    I have two PCs running Win7.  Both work fine with Captivate 4, 5, and 5.5.  No issues with the sound levels.

     

    Since this issue is not present for all Win 7  PCs (Adobe would be deluged with complaints) it's possible the issue you're both experiencing might relate to a specific set of hardware or software drivers.

     

    Why not post some extensive specs on your relevant machines here (make model chipsets driver versions etc) so that anyone else with similar specs that don't have the issue can chime in with any observations?

     

    For what its worth.  I'm running two DELL Studio 17 inch laptops on Win 7 Ultimate.  I usually use a USB mic for recording (Rode Podcaster or Blue Yeti) and don't experience issues.

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • debgok
    Currently Being Moderated
    7. debgok,
    Mar 14, 2012 7:25 AM   in reply to RodWard
    Report

    I have a new Dell Laptop with Win 7 Enterprise.  And I use a USB Logitech mic for recording (and have tried other mics).  I'll see what I can do to post my specs.  Thanks for the advice!

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • debgok
    Currently Being Moderated
    8. debgok,
    Mar 14, 2012 7:26 AM   in reply to RodWard
    Report

    One more question:  how do you get screen captures to paste into your posts here?  I can't make it work with a CTRL-V.  What's the trick?

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • RodWard
    Currently Being Moderated
    9. RodWard,
    Mar 14, 2012 7:30 AM   in reply to debgok
    Report

    Save the captures as graphics files (e.g. PNG) and then use the little camera icon on the toolbar to insert them into the post.

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • Lilybiri
    Currently Being Moderated
    10. Lilybiri,
    Mar 14, 2012 12:43 PM   in reply to RodWard
    Report

    Rod, can you attach PNG's? I cannot, have to use JPEG.

     

    Lieve

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • RodWard
    Currently Being Moderated
    11. RodWard,
    Mar 14, 2012 5:26 PM   in reply to Lilybiri
    Report

    Yep.  I only ever use PNG.  Make sure it's either 8-bit or 24-bit.

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • RodWard
    Currently Being Moderated
    12. RodWard,
    Mar 14, 2012 5:36 PM   in reply to debgok
    Report

    If you have a newish laptop, you need to be aware that new drivers are often being released for current models on a regular basis.  Products often go out without being totally debugged because manufacturers cannot predict all of the thousands of situations in which they will be used, and the thousands of software apps that will get loaded onto them.

     

    If you're experiencing issues with audio, regularly check for updated audio or ASIO drivers from DELL or the companies that make their chipsets and audio components. It's not unusual to hear on this forum that someone's showstopper issue was fixed just by installing a new driver update.

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • corydavis08
    Currently Being Moderated
    13. corydavis08,
    Jun 15, 2012 8:01 AM   in reply to debgok
    Report

    I am now having this same issue. I've look at the our system and had our IT guys take a stab at it. We do not know what is causing it. One day, our audio worked prefect, the next - we not have no volume at all with sound. We've tried both a Logitech Mic and WebCam/Mic. I've started using a Cyber Accustics Head set and still have the same issue.

     

    Adjusting the input levels on the mics will help some, but not much at all.

     

    Has anyone else had any other luck?

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • debgok
    Currently Being Moderated
    14. debgok,
    Jun 15, 2012 8:15 AM   in reply to Trainer_Sheri
    Report

    Sheri - Sorry for the slow response -- I just now started getting alerts on this feed.  I actually had our tech guy reinstall Captivate version 4 (alongside 5.5).  I create and edit the videos in 4 and then convert them to 5.5 when I want to add 5.5 bells and whistles.  This is the only workaround that I have found up to now. 

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • debgok
    Currently Being Moderated
    15. debgok,
    Jun 15, 2012 10:08 AM   in reply to RodWard
    Report

    I'm posting specs on my machine.  If there are any settings I left out, please let me know where to go to find further information.  I'm assuming my audio/sound devices may be of interest here:

     

    System Details1.png

     

    System Details2.png

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • Dascott284
    Currently Being Moderated
    16. Dascott284,
    May 8, 2013 1:42 PM   in reply to debgok
    Report

    I also have the exact same problem.  Windows 7 x64 using a Yeti Microphone (although it also happened with another device).   Very frustrating.  My sound level also drops to 12 as soon as I start recording.

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • debgok
    Currently Being Moderated
    17. debgok,
    May 8, 2013 1:53 PM   in reply to Dascott284
    Report

    The sound level dropping to 12 is exactly what mine does.  If anyone can solve this problem, it would save me a WORLD of hurt.  It's got to be a Windows 7 issue.

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • Dascott284
    Currently Being Moderated
    18. Dascott284,
    May 8, 2013 2:34 PM   in reply to debgok
    Report

    Anyone know if this is fixed by moving to 6.x?   I'm using 5.5 right now.

     
    |
    Mark as:
  • debgok
    Currently Being Moderated
    19. debgok,
    May 8, 2013 3:07 PM   in reply to Dascott284
    Report

    I moved to 6 and it did not fix anything. 

     
    |
    Mark as:
Actions

More Like This

  • Retrieving data ...

Bookmarked By (0)

Answers + Points = Status

  • 10 points awarded for Correct Answers
  • 5 points awarded for Helpful Answers
  • 10,000+ points
  • 1,001-10,000 points
  • 501-1,000 points
  • 5-500 points