This is a continuation/extension of various discussions on the TR microphone, the one that many of us have had extraterrestrial communications recorded along with our other input. Well, alien clicks and clucks they may not be -  perhaps the noise is one of the two brands of harddrives shipped with the TR, or perhaps it’s something else.  That’s what this thread is here to do: to find the truth.

Background:
 

Foreground:
Well, this forum is historically damning, as in my last post on the matter i said my new TR3 did not have the problem, but when i tried using my new AVERmedia UltraTV USB 300,  all my recordings have that clucking/clicking.  I need to fix this asap. 

Perhaps it’s just my ignorance surrounding the microphone/Line In on the TR.  I dont see anything in SoundMAX that relates to a true LINE IN, which you would expect from an audio device.  Maybe if I can “turn off” the internal microphone by software means, instead of ripping the wires off the mike my problems would go away.  I dunno.  But I am getting pretty pissed. But maybe that’s the bad nepali beer.

Well, here’s a poll and please, as always, post your expertise here:

The noise is caused by the internal microphone picking up the ‘chracteristic’ clicking of the hitatchi hard drive - which only comes out on the recording. The clicking is not so bad if you speak loudly into the mic or are very close to it, as the automatic level control tends to focus on the louder sounds. However, as soon as you pause or the signal goes quiet you will get the clicking back.

Using the external mic socket (red) will remove this issue, as will returning the machine to Sony (UK have offered a solution).

That’s pretty much all there is to it, and I bet you the folks who vote to say they have a problem with the mic will have Hitatchi drives.

HTH!

[quote author=“Wadham”]The noise is caused by the internal microphone picking up the ‘chracteristic’ clicking of the hitatchi hard drive - which only comes out on the recording. The clicking is not so bad if you speak loudly into the mic or are very close to it, as the automatic level control tends to focus on the louder sounds. However, as soon as you pause or the signal goes quiet you will get the clicking back.

Using the external mic socket (red) will remove this issue, as will returning the machine to Sony (UK have offered a solution).

That’s pretty much all there is to it, and I bet you the folks who vote to say they have a problem with the mic will have Hitatchi drives.

HTH!

No that’s not it and I have a Toshiba drive and I am using the external mic jack!

but the software that I am trying to use wants to see a line-in option, which Soundmax is not providing!  is there one in your setup?

thx,
jig

Odd.

Maybe your TR is actually recording from the internal mic when you think it is recording from the line in?

You’re right, I can’t see a seprate line in option on the volume control panel - how weird. Maybe it uses the same circuitry and shuts off the internal mic when you plug an external one in, so I guess muting the microphone will silence both inputs..

Hmm, just tested it with my external mic.  When using an external mic there is no clicking, and I have not had to change any settings on the computer - just simply plug in the mic.

Any help?

There is no line in on a TR. There is only a mic jack.

True - that’s what I meant when I said line in - mic jack!!

I think its worse than that! the software that the AverTV is using to record over USB might be getting confused. maybe it’s bypassing the hardware switch (when u plug in external mike, it goes external)?!? hell, i’m not a d*mn engineer, how would i know?

but ur right, external mike and no alien clucking. internal mike - lots of clucking, we all knew it was useless for professional output. SO, if i hear the clucking using AverUSBTV, then perhaps I’m onto something….something very disturbing…..AND WHERE THE F*#$# is the line in option in SoundMAX!  such silly people.

I couldn’t be bothered using a mic..
Nothing I say to anyone..let alone my computer is worth archiving..

Even though I am sometimes told that I must like to hear myself speak..

[quote author=“jiggy”]I think its worse than that! the software that the AverTV is using to record over USB might be getting confused. maybe it’s bypassing the hardware switch (when u plug in external mike, it goes external)?!? hell, i’m not a d*mn engineer, how would i know?

but ur right, external mike and no alien clucking. internal mike - lots of clucking, we all knew it was useless for professional output. SO, if i hear the clucking using AverUSBTV, then perhaps I’m onto something….something very disturbing…..AND WHERE THE F*#$# is the line in option in SoundMAX!  such silly people.

jig, If I understand correctly the AverTV sends audio input via the USB connection?

Try this. Plug in the Aver unit, let it connect and go to control panel, sounds and audio devices. Click the Audio tab. See if the Aver unit shows up in the pull-down window under Sound Recording, Default Device.

Just a shot in the dark..

[quote author=“dbs”][quote author=“jiggy”]I think its worse than that! the software that the AverTV is using to record over USB might be getting confused. maybe it’s bypassing the hardware switch (when u plug in external mike, it goes external)?!? hell, i’m not a d*mn engineer, how would i know?

but ur right, external mike and no alien clucking. internal mike - lots of clucking, we all knew it was useless for professional output. SO, if i hear the clucking using AverUSBTV, then perhaps I’m onto something….something very disturbing…..AND WHERE THE F*#$# is the line in option in SoundMAX!  such silly people.

jig, If I understand correctly the AverTV sends audio input via the USB connection?

Try this. Plug in the Aver unit, let it connect and go to control panel, sounds and audio devices. Click the Audio tab. See if the Aver unit shows up in the pull-down window under Sound Recording, Default Device.

Just a shot in the dark..

nice try!  i wish.  it has no audio properties of its own, and i dont think it was designed to.  the userguide clearly shows that all u do is select LINE IN.  THE MISSING LINE IN!  Everyone else has one.  darn, another device headed for the dustbin unless i want to record silent movies off my VCR.

I’m not finished messing with you. Don’t you just love the way Micro$ hides things?

Go to Sound and Audio again.

See if your device shows up under the Hardware. Check its Properties.

Under Volume hit Advanced, then the Options pull-down, select properties. Tick Recording.

Your gadget or an available input may show up as an unticked box.

When you hit OK a Recording Control Box appears.

There must be some way to bring it up directly and Windows has to know about your device or you wouldn’t be getting audio from it.