Video calls have become the new standard for communication in professional and personal settings due to the significant growth of remote work and distance learning. The prevalent use of video calls highlights the need for crystal clear audio quality as a firm pillar for efficient communication. Your microphone, therefore, becomes a critical piece of your communication puzzle. This article will guide you on how to adjust your microphone settings for optimal video calls, irrespective of the type of device or software you are using.
Now, it’s essential to understand that the type of microphone you use directly affects your audio quality in video calls. There are various categories of microphones, with the most common being the built-in microphones in your device, USB microphones, Bluetooth microphones, and XLR microphones that require an audio interface. While built-in microphones might be convenient, they may not provide the best audio quality, so consider getting a dedicated microphone for superior sound quality.
Comprehending Your Microphone Settings
The first step in adjusting your microphone settings is understanding what each of these settings does. Microphone settings generally include input level or volume, mute/unmute, microphone boost, noise suppression, echo cancellation, and automatic volume control or gain control. These settings can have a significant impact on your video call’s audio quality.
Input Level/Volume: This adjusts the sensitivity of your microphone. The higher the input level, the more sensitive your microphone is to sounds. When properly adjusted, it should pick up your voice clearly without background noise.
Microphone Boost: This feature increases your microphone’s sensitivity further. However, it can also amplify background noise and cause a distorted sound if misused.
Noise Suppression: This feature helps reduce background noise from your audio input, making your voice clearer.
Echo Cancellation: This prevents the echo that results when your microphone picks up audio from your speakers.
Automatic Gain Control: This feature adjusts the volume automatically based on the sound’s loudness. If a sound is too loud, it reduces the volume and vice versa.
Adjusting Your Microphone Settings
After understanding what each setting does, you can proceed to adjust these settings for optimal audio quality. But, firstly, you need to access your microphone settings. On Windows, go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound > Recording tab. On Mac, you can find these settings under System Preferences > Sound. Once in your microphone settings, you can make the following adjustments.
Input Level/Volume: Before adjusting the input level, ensure your environment is as quiet as possible. Then, start speaking at your regular volume. As you talk, adjust the input level until the microphone picks up your voice clearly without clipping, i.e., reaching the top of the volume bar too frequently.
Microphone Boost: Only use this setting if your microphone is still not picking up your voice clearly after adjusting the input level. Like the input level, ensure it picks your voice without clipping.
Noise Suppression and Echo Cancellation: Activate these features, especially if you are in a noisy environment or if your microphone and speakers are close. However, note that these features can sometimes reduce audio quality, so experiment with them to find a balance.
Automatic Gain Control: Turn this feature off for video calls. While it might seem helpful, it can cause abrupt changes in volume that can be disruptive. It’s better to control the volume manually.
Adjusting Zoom Microphone Settings: The popular video conferencing software, Zoom, provides separate settings that you can adjust for optimal audio quality. You can access these settings by going to Settings > Audio. Here, you can check and uncheck Automatic Adjust Volume depending on your preference. You can also test and adjust your microphone’s volume in the same settings.
Adjusting Skype Microphone Settings: In Skype, you can adjust your microphone settings under Settings > Audio & Video. Here, you can check or unblock Automatically adjust microphone settings, control the microphone’s volume, test your microphone, and select the microphone to use.
Tip: Use A Pop Filter and Windscreen: Besides adjusting your settings, consider using a pop filter and windscreen for your microphone. A pop filter helps reduce the impact of ‘popping’ sounds that occur when pronouncing ‘p’ and ‘b’ sounds. It also helps protect your microphone from saliva. A windscreen reduces the impact of wind and breathing sounds.
While this guide should help you adjust your microphone settings for optimal video calls, understand that different environments and microphones might need different settings. Therefore, always test your microphone after making any changes to ensure it provides the best audio quality possible.
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