Windows 10: My Audio Playback is Muffled by My Mic

I've been experiencing this issue with my new laptop set in Windows 11. My audio playback would muffle whenever the microphone is in use. I couldn't really use my mic when playing games or being in a Discord call when I don't have headphones cause it risks the quality of any audio I hear. For months, I dealt with it by simply using headphones but the issue recently became worse for me when I could hear the drowning audio even when my mic is not in use. I once again tried to look on the internet for solutions, which was useless before this time when I came across bpmotie's question on this foru

:)

 

How can I record playback audio and mic?

LOL it took me a sec. I take it you tried recording yourself with the BAND, "ABBA" via Voice Recorder, and it worked for you.

As for me, no such luck.

I appreciate the effort you went through to take those screen shots. Unfortunately, this did not work for me.

I actually have a few recording devices plugged into my computer. Originally:

• Line-In - plugs into the Headphone jack on audio receiver. Currently turned off, so it is listed as "Not Plugged In"
• Logitech C922x Webcam, has a microphone as well. I disabled the microphone on it, after noticing its mic was picking up sounds when I attempted recording again after changing my settings according to your instructions. Once I disabled this, I saw no green light indicators indicating sound was being picked up.
• Logitech G933 Headset - this is my default Recording and Playback device (Default Communication device). I did change the default to Stereo Mix as indicated in your instructions, no luck though.
• Microphone - Realtek High Definition Audio - Not Plugged in, as I don't use 3.5mm microphones
• Stereo Mix - As per your instructions, I made sure this was enabled and set as the Default Device.

Any thoughts as to why I'm having issues getting this to work? Does this by chance have anything to do with the fact that I use USB devices for Recording and Playback?

 

How can I record playback audio and mic?

I've actually managed to my problem, just by Googling...after finally figuring out what to Google.


Problem: Using Audicity, I wanted to record audio of myself singing karaoke. Sound inputs

• YouTube video playing from Google Chrome
• G933 Logitech Headset (or any USB mic for that matter)

Two applications required for this. Download these two apps. When installing, make sure you Run As Administrator for each. Install each app, then reboot your PC.

• Virtual Audio Cable - Allows you to record computer audio
• VoiceMeeter Banana - Mixes two (possibly more) sound Inputs as one, which ends up being your Recording device for Audacity.

In Windows 10

1. Go to Control Panel>Sounds>Playback and Set CABLE Input as your Default Playback device. Verify that you now have these three additional Playback Devices:

• CABLE Output
  
• VoiceMeeter Aux Output
  
• VoiceMeeter Output

1. Go to the Recording tab and Set CABLE Output as your Default Recording device. Verify that you now have these three additional Recording Devices:

• CABLE Output
• VoiceMeeter Aux Output
• VoiceMeeter Output

In Audacity (Preferences>Settings>Devices):

• Host: MME
• Playback Device: VoiceMeeter Input (VB-Audio Voi
• Recording Device: VoiceMeeter Output (VB-Audio Vo
• Channels: 2 (Stereo)

Open Voice Meeter Banana (use the Search box next to the Start button) and change these settings:

• HARDWARE INPUT 1: MME: CABLE Output (VB-Audio Virtual
• HARDWARE INPUT 2: MME: Set it to your desired microphone. I used Microphone Logitech G933 Gaming). For this hardware input, select A1 to deselect it. Otherwise, you will hear your voice playing through your Speakers/Headset.
• HARDWARE OUT: Click A1 and select MME: <your output device>. In my case, MME: Speakers (Logitech G933 Gaming)

To test: Go to Youtube, find a video to play. Go to Audacity. Click Record, then go back to your YouTube video and click play. You should see the sound meter go up and down, in accordance to the track you're playing. Additionally if you speak, you will see your mic's meter rise and fall, as well. Stop the recording when finished. Note that to hear the newly recorded track's audio, you may have to change your Playback sound to your desired device. It i also important to note to reset your Playback device once exiting VoiceMeeter Banana, to your desired audio output device. This can be done by selecting the sound button on your System Tray.

 

How can I record playback audio and mic?

Audacity should work.

I've had to fiddle with the Audacity Preferences making sure it and Windows were defaulting to 'Stereo Mix'.

Audacity Device Preferences:





Control Panel > Sound:






Also if you're getting this error when attempting to record:






You'll need to make sure that under Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone

You've set 'Allow apps to access your microphone' to (●) ON