How To Improve Sound And Microphone Quality In Windows

Improving sound and microphone quality on your Windows PC is crucial for clear communication and an enhanced audio experience. Here are several steps and tips to help you achieve superior sound quality.

Enhance Audio Features

To optimize sound features for each audio device connected to your PC, follow these steps:

Access Settings: Right-click the Start menu and select the Settings app.
Navigate to Sound Settings: Go to “System” in the left pane, then click the “Sound” option on the right.
Select Device: Under the “Advanced” section, select “All sound devices” and then choose the audio device you want to enhance under either the “Output devices” or “Input devices” sections.
Enable Enhancements: Scroll down to find the “Enhance audio” option under the “Output/Input settings” section and click it to turn it on. Be cautious, as turning on audio enhancements can sometimes lead to more sound issues; if this happens, turn it off and proceed to the next solution.

Configure Enhancement Settings

Customizing enhancement settings can further improve your audio quality:

Open Advanced Settings: Go to “Settings -> System -> Sound -> Advanced” and select “More sound settings.”
Access Device Properties: Click on the device (e.g., “Speakers”), then choose “Properties.”
Adjust Enhancements: Move to the “Enhancements” tab, ensure “Immediate mode” is on, and select the desired sound effects (e.g., “Voice Cancellation” or “Pitch Shift”). Click “Apply” to save the settings.

Increase Microphone Levels

Low-quality microphone sound can often be resolved by adjusting the microphone levels:

Check Enhanced Audio: Ensure “Enhanced audio” is turned on for your “Microphone Array” in the “Input section.”
Adjust Volume: If the above solution doesn’t improve quality, increase the microphone volume. Open the Control Panel, select “Hardware and Sound,” then click on “Manage audio devices.”
- Go to the “Recording” tab, click on the microphone in use, and choose “Properties.”
- In the “Levels” tab, adjust the microphone volume by dragging the arrow to the right. Click “Apply” to save the changes.

Activate Spatial Sound

Enabling Spatial Sound can simulate a surround sound setup and improve overall audio quality:

Access Sound Settings: Open “Settings -> System -> Sound.”
Select Output Device: Choose the output device you want to change, then click on the arrow next to it.
Enable Spatial Sound: Scroll down to the “Spatial sound” section, click the down arrow beside “Type,” and select “Windows Sonic for Headphones.” For additional formats, you can download options like DTS Sound Unbound or Dolby Access from the Microsoft Store.

Update Audio Drivers

Outdated drivers can significantly impact audio quality. Here’s how to update them:

Open Device Manager: Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
Locate Audio Devices: Expand the “Sound, video and game controllers” section.
Update Drivers: Right-click on the audio device, select “Update driver,” and follow the prompts to search for and install updates. If necessary, reinstall the driver by selecting “Uninstall device” and then restarting your PC to allow Windows to reinstall the driver.

Use Realtek Audio Console

If your PC uses Realtek audio, utilizing the Realtek Audio Console can offer additional enhancements:

Open Realtek Audio Console: This can usually be found in the Start menu or by searching for it.
Adjust Settings: Customize settings such as equalizer presets, microphone enhancements, and other audio features to optimize your sound quality.

Improve Microphone Environment

The environment in which you use your microphone can significantly affect its quality:

Reduce Background Noise: Turn off devices that produce background noise, such as air conditioners or fans.
Use a Pop Filter: Cover your microphone with a sock or sponge to act as a pop filter and reduce plosive sounds.
Optimize Mic Placement: Place the microphone further away from you when speaking to reduce distortion and echo. Avoid recording in areas with many hard surfaces, as these can cause echo.

Disable Other Microphones

Having multiple active microphones can cause conflicts and reduce quality:

Access Recording Devices: Open the Control Panel, go to “Hardware and Sound,” then click on “Manage audio devices.”
- Go to the “Recording” tab and disable all microphones except the one you are using by right-clicking on each option and choosing “Disable”.

Adjust Microphone Levels and Quality

Fine-tuning microphone levels and quality settings can make a significant difference:

Lower Microphone Levels: If the microphone level is too high, it can introduce background noise and distortion. Lower the microphone level slider and the boost slider if available.
Change Quality Options: Go to the “Advanced” tab in the microphone properties and test different quality options (e.g., 2-channel, 16-bit, 48,000 Hz) to find the best setting for your needs.

Run the Recording Audio Troubleshooter

Windows provides a built-in troubleshooter to help resolve common audio issues:

Access Troubleshooter: Go to the Settings app, select “Update & Security,” then choose “Troubleshoot” from the options on the left.
- Find the “Recording audio” option on the list and click on it, then select “Run the troubleshooter” to allow Windows to automatically look for and fix any problems.

By following these steps, you can significantly improve the sound and microphone quality on your Windows PC, ensuring clearer communication and a more enjoyable audio experience.