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PC Audio Basics (for Windows)
It is a good idea to be familiar with the basics of your computer's audio system. The controls for PC audio can be found on the control panel at Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices. Follow the menu to Sounds and Audio Devices where you will see the first tab showing a master volume.
The Sounds tab allows you to select the audio cues that you hear from Windows. This panel is useful for troubleshooting to be sure that you hear the system sounds on your speakers. You can select an event that has an associated sound and play it to verify if the speakers are working.
The Audio tab is the one that is most important for voice applications. Under Playback/speaker and Recording/microphone you will see the default device selection. This can be critical for operation. If there is no choice it should reference your standard audio channel. If you have a modem audio option, that should not be selected. If you have any USB audio device it should show up here. Depending on how you are using it, the USB may need to be selected.
During operation it is often helpful to have both the Microphone/recording and Speaker/playback controls open. On each panel you can select which controls are to be visible. To minimize confusion select Volume (master) and Wave on the speaker option, and Microphone (Recording may the option depending your system). Options/Properties is where you select the choices displayed.
The Microphone/Recording control may have an Advanced button. This can be very important to consider. Microphones vary and some systems allow the user to select the amplification on this channel. If your system has a simple on/off boost, it usually helps to have it on. Newer systems may offer more choices.
The speaker volume is a combination (product) of the Wave and Volume setting. For example if the Wave and Volume are each set at half scale the system volume is at one quarter the maximum volume. Some prefer to have the Wave set to maximum and control volume from the Master control. It is important to note that the Master volume is the control that Windows presents when only one volume slider is shown. If this is at maximum and your volume is low, you should check to see where the Wave volume is set.
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