Skype
Audio Setup for Windows XP and Vista
1. Audio settings, in Windows and Skype
XP: Windows Control Panel / Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices / Sounds & Audio Devices
or Right-click speaker icon in system tray and select "Adjust Audio Properties"
Volume / Device Volume: Make sure “Mute” is NOT checked in this window.
Volume / Device Volume / Advanced: If there is no “Microphone” section in this window, go to Options / Properties and check “Microphone” in the “Playback” list. Then make sure “Mute” IS checked in this window
Audio / Sound Playback: Your on board sound/Sound Card
Audio / Sound Recording: Your on board sound/Sound Card
Audio / Sound Recording / Volume: Make sure "Microphone" is selected and the volume slider is at the center or higher
Audio / Sound Recording / Volume / Advanced: If “Microphone Boost” or “20db Boost” is present, select it
Vista: Windows Control Panel / Hardware and Sound / Sound / Manage Audio Devices
or Right-click speaker icon in system tray and select "Playback devices"
Playback: Your speakers or on board sound/Sound Card must appear in this list, and must show “Working”
Playback: Select your speakers or on board sound/Sound Card, then click “Set Default”
Playback / Properties / General: Device Usage: “Use this device (enable)”
Playback / Properties / Levels: “Mute” is not on, volume slider in the middle
Recording: Your Microphone or on board sound/Sound card must appear in this list, and must show “Working”
Recording: Select your Microphone or on board sound/Sound Card, then click “Set Default”
Recording / Properties / General: Device Usage: “Use this device (enable)”
Recording / Properties / Custom: If “Microphone Boost” is present, select it.
Recording / Properties / Levels: Microphone volume should be centre or higher
Recording / Properties / Levels: If there is a “Mute” button, it must not be on
Skype / Tools / Options / Audio Settings:
Microphone: Your headset/mic or USB device or Web cam mic, as you prefer
Speakers: Your headset, USB device or speakers, as you prefer
Ringing: VoIPVoice USB Phone or on board sound/Sound Card; also tick Ring PC speaker
Note: The audio devices you want to use MUST be present in these Skype device lists. If they are not, check the device connections and driver installations again.
2. Microphone and Speaker connections
Check if your mic (pink) and speaker (lime) jacks are in the proper sockets (it is easy to reverse them) and fully inserted (they sometimes stick only partially inserted)
If your microphone or headset has a “Mute” switch, make sure it is not on
If your speakers or headset has a volume control, make sure it is turned up
For test only you can use an earphone instead of microphone (really)! Just unplug the microphone, plug the earphone into the microphone jack, and talk into your earphones. (I know it sounds silly, but it might tell you if your microphone is defective)
A standard microphone plugged into Line In will NOT work.
3. Check audio in Windows.
XP: Start / All Programs / Accessories / Entertainment / Sound Recorder
Vista: Start [Orb] / All Programs / Accessories / Sound Recorder
Make a short recording with the microphone; you should see the level meters moving as you speak. On Windows XP, you can then play back what you recorded.
4. Once done, test with Skype Test Call (echo123).
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