R-MC Faculty Teaching Toolkit: Test Your Recording System

Test Your Recording System

On a PC:

1. Plug in the USB device if it is the device you use to capture your voice.
2. Locate or Search Sound in the Control Panel. Then select the tab ”Recording”.
3. Select the device (the plugged-in USB microphone, or the internal microphone), making sure it is checked.
4. Position the microphone about 12 inches away from you, try to project your voice and speak. In the meantime, see the Input Level indicator pushing up, with over half of the small bars turning green.
5. If no bar or only 1 to 2 bars turn green, click “Properties” button.
6. Then select “Levels” and increase the number.
7. Be sure to Save.

On a Mac:

1. Plug in the USB device if it is to be used to capture your voice. 
2. From the Apple Menu, select “System preferences …”, and press the icon “Sound” to see a pop-up screen as this screenshot. Then select the tab ”Input”.
3. Select a device for sound input: the plugged-in USB microphone, or the internal microphone
4. For Input Volume, move the slider toward near the maximum.
5. Place the microphone about 12” away from you, speak to the mic, and try to project your voice.
6. Meanwhile, see the Input Level indicator pushing right, with the left half of the small bars filled.