Noise Reduction: Noise is defined as any unwanted sound. The cause of hiss in electronics is random electrons, which are affected by heat and influence the voltage of the output, thus creating audible noise. By using filters, the noise reduction feature helps reduce the elements of noisy signals
Exclusive Use of Speaker: This mode grants VIA3 exclusive control of the audio device. For example, when this box is checked, no other audio application like Windows Media Player, will be able to access and use the sound device being used by VIA3.
Automatically adjust microphone gain: This mode uses Automatic Gain Control (AGC) to control the level of transmitted speech. As the talker begins to rise or fall in volume, the AGC compensates by adjusting the volume in the opposite direction to keep as steady a level as possible (extreme level variations, such as from a whisper to a scream, that happen very quickly will not likely benefit from the AGC).
De-howling (affects music): This mode acts as a “feedback reducer,” or “crosstalk canceller.” It effectively reduces the bleed over of the output channel to the input channel and vice-versa.
The Audio Configuration selection list box contains four options, choose the option that best suits your environment:
External Echo Control - some microphones have built in echo cancellation and you may want to use it instead of the VIA3 echo cancellation.
Headset - choose this option if you are using a headset fitted with a microphone.
Desktop Speaker - choose this option if you are using the laptop speakers or the desktop computer speakers to hear your audio.
Conference Room - choose this option if you are using a conference room set-up.
Select the microphone you wish to use from the drop-down list. You should not have to change your selection unless you are experiencing audio difficulties. In most cases, the microphones built into web cameras are not as high a quality as a separate or stand-alone microphone. Web camera microphones lack echo control.
The Hide Webcam Microphones check box is provided so that you can use the microphone included with the web camera if absolutely necessary.
To use the microphone included with the web camera:
From the Advanced Audio Properties window, uncheck the "Hide Webcam Microphones" check box.
Select the web camera microphone from the Select Microphone drop down window.
Click OK.
Click the Voice Sample button to listen to a recording and adjust the volume output to a comfortable level.
Click the Sounds button to listen to a Wave files and adjust the volume output to a comfortable level.
Note: for
configurations other then “headset” the volume slider should be set to approximately
75% for best audio performance with further volume adjustments being made on the
speakers themselves.
Adjust your microphone sensitivity by speaking aloud into your microphone. You will notice the colored sensitivity indicator move as you speak - the desired level is "mid-yellow".
If the level is not moving to the mid-yellow area click the "Mic Boost" check box.
Microphone Preemphasis: Off by default, this feature filters the lower frequencies more strongly than the higher frequencies (which should also slightly reduce the overall volume). It therefore acts as an equalizer in that it limits the lower frequencies of speech allowing higher frequencies to pass unattenuated. This can be particularly useful for deeper, baritone voices, as well as environments exhibiting a high amount of reverberation.
Additional Mic Gain: If you find that your audio for other users is a little low, sliding the bar to the right will boost your sound for others.
You can verify your microphone settings by recording your voice and playing it back. Click the Record button and speak aloud. Then click the Playback button to hear the recording.