TechNote

Configuring a microphone

Introduction
General microphone configuration may be required when using a Macromedia Flash Communication Server application. This explains some of the basic sound configuration found on Windows and Macintosh systems. Due to possible feedback when using a microphone built into a camera and external speakers, it is generally best to use a separate headset. This prevents the camera microphone from picking up the sound from the speakers. For more information, please refer to Audio with the Flash Communication Server MX (TechNote 16447).

The microphone configuration instructions are given below for Windows XP, Windows 200 and prior, Mac OSX, and Mac 9.x.

To access the microphone settings do the following:

	Windows XP
1	Choose Start > Settings > Control Panel and double-click theSounds and Audio Devicescontrol panel.
2	Select the Voice tab and choose the the appropriate item in the Voice recording Default device pop-up menu.

	Selecting the Volume option will bring up the system sound control panel, which can also be accessed by double-clicking the small speaker icon in the system tray.
	Selecting the Advanced button for Sound Recording will open a new window which allows for setting Hardware acceleration and Sample rate conversion quality.
3	After all appropriate settings are made, click OK.

	Windows 2000 and prior
1	Choose Start > Settings > Control Panel and double-click theSounds and Multimediacontrol panel.
2	Select the Audio tab and choose the the appropriate item in the Sound recording Preferred device pop-up menu.

	Selecting the Volume option will bring up the system sound control panel, which can also be accessed by double-clicking the small speaker icon in the system tray.
	Selecting the Advanced button for Sound Recording will open a new window which allows for setting Hardware acceleration and Sample rate conversion quality.
3	After all appropriate settings are made, click OK.

	Macintosh OX 10
1	Choose Apple menu> System Preferences.
2	Click the Speech icon. Select the Listening tab to access the pop-up list for selecting the input device. Note:In OSX there is not much control for microphone settings. Check for third party applications and/or hardware that can be used with OSX which will give enhanced microphone options.

	Macintosh 9.x
1	Choose Apple Menu> Control Panels > Sound. Volume control is at the bottom of the panel.
2	Select the Input tab to see the information for your input device (microphone).
3	Select the Sound In item in the list, then select the Check signal level check box to activate the gain control.

Additional information
For more information on using the Windows sound control panel, please refer to Why does my mic still transmit sound after muting it? (TechNote 16435).