12 Replies Latest reply: May 26, 2010 8:39 AM by Eliotjo RSS

    Plug-in Mic won't work in SB-CS3

    yellowstonemcclung Community Member

      Hello, all!

       

      I am trying to record voice-over files in SB CS3.

       

      I have a regular, cheap standing microphone that simply plugs into the mic jack in front of my computer.   It works for me without a problem when I'm recording in Audacity.

       

      But, I get nothing when I try to record a new file in SB.  I read the help section, which says that I might need to activate the mic in a panel, but for the life of me can't find that panel anywhere in my workspace or on any menu or tool bar.

       

      I'm fairly Adobe savvy, and can usually sort of intuit my way around work spaces.   This one has me stumped.

       

      Can anyone help me??

       

      Thanks!!

      Mary

        • 1. Re: Plug-in Mic won't work in SB-CS3
          Eliotjo Community Member

          Mary - I don't know what kind of mic you have but it sounds like you may need what is referred to as phantom power.  It provides a boost in volume so that your sound card can pick up the audio coming from the microphone. There are phantom power devices you can get to accomplish this.  I suspect Radio Shack may have one. The other component I might recommend is getting a good mic with an XLR input.  You'll still need phantom power but with the Shure X2U device (Best Buy ~$99) you'll have the phantom power you need with a USB attachment going into your computer. 

           

          Best

           

          Eliotjoss

          • 2. Re: Plug-in Mic won't work in SB-CS3
            yellowstonemcclung Community Member

            Eliotjos...

            Thanks!   I'm going to check out sources for that.   I wonder though why the microphone has always worked well, on this and other laptops, except for Soundbooth?

            • 3. Re: Plug-in Mic won't work in SB-CS3
              370H55V Community Member

              In the Preferences under Audio Hardware, there is a Settings button next to the Default Device drop down. This opens the Audio Hardware settings (PC) or the Audio MIDI Setup (Mac) where you can select and set the Input and Output devices exactly how you want them.

              • 4. Re: Plug-in Mic won't work in SB-CS3
                yellowstonemcclung Community Member

                Thanks for the post, IKNAA...

                 

                But, if my microphone was supposed to show up as a device that I can select, it didn't come up in the input window.

                 

                There is supposed to be a panel where i can actually click on an icon of a microphone to activate it.   It's what the help library says.   Anyone familiar with a little red picture of a microphone that is an active button on any panel in SB?

                 

                I'm so annoyed at this blip on my radar.    SB has worked for me in the past and it's all I've got to finish this project. 

                 

                Thanks again you guys...!

                • 5. Re: Plug-in Mic won't work in SB-CS3
                  Eliotjo Community Member

                  Yeah - I'm thinking it's not your mic that's the problem, or phantom power.  I've been in similar circumstances before.  It's got to be something with the new SB.  At this point I'd try calling tech support at Adobe since you're in the free support window as you're using CS5.  Perhaps someone else has a work around.  I think KNAA had some good points. 

                  • 6. Re: Plug-in Mic won't work in SB-CS3
                    _durin_ Employee Hosts

                    Most likely, you just need to let Soundbooth know that you'd like to record from the Microphone input rather than one of the other input channels on your sound device.  Open Soundbooth and select Preferences > Audio Hardware.   In the dialog that comes up, click the Settings button and you should be able to specify which Input channels are available to the program for recording.  Then, when you begin to record and the dialog comes up, you can verify/select which input channel you'd like to record from via the "Port:"  dropdown.

                    • 7. Re: Plug-in Mic won't work in SB-CS3
                      yellowstonemcclung Community Member

                      Thanks for that one, Durin.

                       

                      I have tried that one about 100 times, thinking I'm just missing something.  When I check those settings, I get only one choice in and one choice out.  Nothing that describes a microphone option.

                       

                      And, when recording, I can get that drop down menu and choose ports 1 and 2, or ports 3 and 4. 

                       

                      Just to clarify, I'm using CS3.   Does that make a difference?

                       

                      Even though the help area talks about clicking on a red "microphone" icon in one of the panels, no one seems to be familiar with it.    Am I hallucinating that one?

                       

                      Thanks again guys....  I know what you are trying to guide me through...  I just don't have any choices on those preference panels that helps.

                       

                      Maybe I'll just make a silent movie.   We can start a new "retro" trend.

                       

                      Mary

                      • 8. Re: Plug-in Mic won't work in SB-CS3
                        yellowstonemcclung Community Member

                        Follow up...

                         

                        The choices I get when I click into the preferences/settings panel for output and input are:

                         

                        Conexant HD Audio Output  :   on the output panel.

                         

                        Conexant HD Audio Input :  on the input panel.

                         

                        Those are the only items listed in these windows.   They are already "x" ed off and can't be un-"x"-ed.

                         

                         

                         

                        The choices for ports on the recording panel are:

                         

                        Conexant HD Audio Input-1/ Conexant HD Audio Input-2

                        and

                        Conexant HD Audio Input-3/Conexant HD Audio Input-3

                         

                         

                         

                        Them's all the choices I can find throughout.

                        Thanks again.

                        Mary

                        • 9. Re: Plug-in Mic won't work in SB-CS3
                          Eliotjo Community Member

                          Mary,

                           

                          I really appreciate your frustration. I've had similar experiences.  Just for the heck of it, why don't you download a free trial of SB CS5 and see if there is a resolution to your problem.  I'm thinking there's a driver incompatibility somewhere.  Other than that have you tried different microphones?  What kind of mic are you using? 

                          • 10. Re: Plug-in Mic won't work in SB-CS3
                            Eliotjo Community Member

                            An additional follow up - I don't like to go here either but Adobe provides paid tech support.  Just a thought.

                            • 11. Re: Plug-in Mic won't work in SB-CS3
                              yellowstonemcclung Community Member

                              I know, EliotJo.   I work in a National Park, and we just don't have the budget for paid tech support.

                               

                              I wonder about driver error..  I just transferred my Production Suite from my old laptop to the new one about three weeks ago.   So far, all the other elements of software have been working well.    Makes me wonder if something didn't install correctly on SB.

                               

                              Plus, my simple plug-in microphone wand (a $20.00 item) has worked very nicely for my other projects.    And it is working with Audacity on this new laptop.  So, I know it's not a computer-microphone-recognition issue.

                               

                              I think I will download the 30 day trial of SB5 and see if that works.

                               

                              You guys are awesome!   Thanks and have a great day!

                               

                              Mary

                              • 12. Re: Plug-in Mic won't work in SB-CS3
                                Eliotjo Community Member

                                So could it be mic driver problems. Can you research the mic driver 

                                from the manufacturer?

                                 

                                Jeb Brodrick (eliotjo)

                                 

                                Jeb@ixcast.net

                                503.780.2000

                                 

                                 

                                 

                                On May 26, 2010, at 7:12 AM, yellowstonemcclung <forums@adobe.com