Troubleshooting the Acoustic Magic Voice Tracker™ III Microphone
The Voice Tracker™ has no audio output.
- Check that there is power to the unit. The green LEDs should be lit and track the talker as he moves around. If the LEDs track, the Voice Tracker™ is probably OK
- Check that your computer has selected the Voice Tracker™ as the recording device. In most cases, this is the problem.
-
-
-
For Windows computers
- The Voice Tracker’s audio output is analog through a 3.5m TRS jack, at mic level.
- The computer’s sound card must be selected in Windows as the default recording device.
- At least 30 db of boost must be selected in the soundcard
- If the computer doesn’t have a soundcard, you can use a USB adapter like our part 102B or 102D.
- If the computer has only a TRRS mic/speaker jack, you must use a TRS to TRRS adapter, or a USB adapter.
-
For Mac computers
- You must use a USB adapter. Select the USB adapter as the default recording device.
The Voice Tracker™ analog audio output is too low.
1.Increase the “Level” in the PC sound card or USB adapter. Boost can be turned almost all the way up to improve pick up range.
Warbling noise in audio output
Computers sometimes have features that try to enhance low level audio. These “features” can cause a warbling sound and noise when the audio recorded from Voice Tracker microphones is played back. It’s best to turn off these features. In the computer’s sound settings for recording device properties. Go to “advanced” and make sure the box next to “Enable audio enhancements” is unchecked.
There is an “underwater sound superimposed” on the audio.
In addition to the spatial filtering provided by the beamforming of the microphone array, the Voice Trackers have a background noise subtraction algorithm, which filters out stationary noise (like fan noise and air ducts). If that noise is too loud, the background noise subtraction algorithm can cause artifact (the underwater sound). If you are experiencing this, move the Voice Tracker™ away from the source of the stationary noise. You should be able to do this and still pick up the talker because of the Voice Tracker’s long-range.
There is a Hum in the audio.
A hum might be caused by a ground loop through the wall power connection. This can be tested by running the PC on battery if you can. If there is a ground loop hum, isolate the power connection. You can do this with a product like the Hum-X
There is feedback through the PCs speakers.
If Windows is not set up correctly, the output from the microphone will play through the PC speakers. This is sometimes confused with acoustic echo.
To eliminate this, go to Sound Settings and be sure that on the Listen tab the option “Listen to this device” is unchecked.
If none of these solutions help, please contact the ITS help desk.