Windows 10: USB Sound Recording Level

Does anyone know where in the Windows 10 registry the audio recording levels are stored?

I am experiencing very low audio recording levels from a USB interface (Mackie Blackjack).

The audio recording levels are set to 100 for this device but are still quite low.

Thank you.

:)

 

Headphones audio only works when the Recording settings tab is open

Hi Ratandeep,

Unfortunately, none of the recommended solutions worked.

I'm using a Plantronics Voyager UC with a BT600 (Bluetooth dongle). My audio worked previously and now only works when I have the "Sound" window up with the "Recording" tab open.

So far, I have:

Ran the Sound troubleshooter

Drivers: uninstalled, reinstalled, updated.

Plantronics Hub software: uninstalled, reinstalled, updated.

Tried multiple sound sources.

Verified sound levels within "Open Volume mixer"

Plugged the bluetooth dongle into different USB ports

The connection to the headset seems solid, as do the sound levels. This must be an application/OS issue, because as I stated previously, the sound works if I have the "Sound" window open and "Recording" tab selected. As soon as I change from the recording
tab or close the window, the sound goes away.

 

recording a video

Can I turn up the sound recording level while recording a video?

 

I don't think anything in the registry is going to help this.

A little more on the problem may help us to try and help you. e.g. what are you trying to record? A mic (what type), a guitar? Could be the input device. Could be a problem with the recording interface unit. Could be an issue with whatever recording program you are using.

Has this ever worked OK? or just set it up and trying it for the first time? Did you first download and install the driver from Mackie (this is noted in the user manual).

(I have a recording studio -Cakewalk Sonar Platinum DAW and I use an MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid interface unit).

 

I use Total Recorder for recording any audio coming from the computer's speakers, can increase the volume of what is being heard and saved. It's control can set the volume at 0db/100% after the computer's volume is set. Or in other words set the computer volume then increase in TR. I'm not all into the decibels but setting the computer to 100% with TR at -20db is usable but TR at 0db is blasting, all this using a headset. If the speakers have their own amp, most do if self-powered, it could be made really really loud.

 

I did some testing with a tone generator. Sine waves clip at -9 dBFS. Ideally they would clip at 0 dBFS.

It's hard to say whether the problem is with the device, its driver or Windows 10. Several years ago Windows 7 had the opposite problem; levels were much too high. Microsoft seems to have recognized the problem but it's still not right.

 

There is an impedance switch on the Mackie unit for Line (balanced) or High Z (unbalanced) input. Which did you use and did you try both?

 

There should be a (slight) difference in levels for the same input with the different settings.

 

There is.

 

Here is something for HD audio. Don't know if this will work with a USB interface.

Customizing HD Audio Driver Volume Settings | Microsoft Docs

This document talks about USB audio.

USB Audio Class System Driver (Usbaudio.sys) | Microsoft Docs

KSPROPERTY_AUDIO_VOLUMELEVEL (Windows Drivers)

 

After looking back over your post, it appears you are using a device that is designed to be a recording interface unit for a recording program but you are trying to use it for regular PC audio. Its iffy if it will work correctly. e.g. on my system, my recording studio interface is ONLY used for my recording studio program (Sonar). It works with PC audio but not near as good as the motherboard audio (Realtek in my case). Even PC recording programs such as "Audacity" is keyed on the Stereo Mix for recording, and my recording studio interface unit does not have Stereo Mix. I have Goldwave, an audio editor that is also capable of recording, and it too is more focused on Stereo Mix.

What is your exact application - setup with the Mackie and what programs?

 

It's designed to be used for generic PC audio.

 

What you don't want to hear. If you want to use it for general PC audio, get a USB "PC Audio" device and not a device designed (primarily) for recording.