Today I downloaded Skype (version 1.2.0.48) and installed it. It went fine, except for one thing. When I speak to someone through the microphone, the volume of my voice (as it sounds for the receiving person) is extremely low.
This is NOT caused by the volume setting of the microphone, as is shown when I use the MS soundrecorder.
It appeared to be caused by a setting of Skype itself. After I changed it, everything is OK. In fact it is a clumsy bug in the Skype file that you download. Please, Skype company: correct it for all fiture downloaders!!!

Fortunately, every user can repair the bug himself.
It is to be found in a file that (after installation) contains the program settings. The file is called config.xml. It is to be found in the folder:
'C:documents and settings[user name]application dataskype[skype user name]'.
It may be that you cannot find this file, because several of these folders may be hidden. If so, you first have to change a Windows setting in order to show the hidden files. (If you don't know how, it is explained on many places in the Internet - use Google.)
Open this file config.xml with notepad. You will see a list of settings. Search for the volume setting (use the search option of Notepad if you wish). It looks like:
<MicVolume>256</MicVolume>
or
<Volume>256</Volume>
Here you see the bug. The volume setting is, I guess, a number consisting of two hexadecimal place, which means that the highest possible value is 255. In other words, the value of 256 is actually equal to 0 (zero). That is why the microphone is way too weak.
You simply change this value to 255.
Before you save this changed file: first check if Skype is running. If so, close it, or else you will not be able to save the file.
Next, save the file and close Notepad.
If you next start Skype, the mike works fine.

Hay, Skype company! Your program is fine. But this bug is clumsy, right? Can you change it in the next version?

Perhaps 256 indicates that setting of volume level failed.
Checked my settings and they were 255.

Thanks, that worked for me! I've been puzzled by it for days, and tried 4 different microphones! (version 1.2.0.48)

We knew this fix for @ 1 week thanks to another user. But your explanation is very helpful. Well done for working it out, impressive.

[quote]<Volume>256</Volume>
Here you see the bug. The volume setting is, I guess, a number consisting of two hexadecimal place, which means that the highest possible value is 255. In other words, the value of 256 is actually equal to 0 (zero). That is why the microphone is way too weak.
You simply change this value to 255.
Before you save this changed file: first check if Skype is running. If so, close it, or else you will not be able to save the file.
Next, save the file and close Notepad.
If you next start Skype, the mike works fine.

[/quote]

hi all:
reading abt this subject I opened my config.xml and my volume is settled to 14 !!!
My skype version is:1.2.0.32 and my mic volume level is ok when speaking.

is this correct ??? Selected number on config.xml depends on the skype version ??

just my curiosity.

rgds.hilariof.

I would assume this setting depends on the type of hand/headset/phone you are using. I checked me and it was set to 75 ver 1.2.0.37.

I'd guess that if you have the "allow automating sound adjustment settings" checked in the Skype options, then it will adjust the level of the microphone setting. Mine is now down at 67, after having manually changed it to 255, and still working fine. But it seems like if the setting is 256 to start with, it never gets corrected.
I'm really impressed with the service once I got it running!.
Thanks again for the help.

[quote=jhigman]I'd guess that if you have the "allow automating sound adjustment settings" checked in the Skype options, then it will adjust the level of the microphone setting. Mine is now down at 67, after having manually changed it to 255, and still working fine. But it seems like if the setting is 256 to start with, it never gets corrected.
I'm really impressed with the service once I got it running!.
Thanks again for the help.[/quote]

Good point never thought of that because I have "allow automatic sound adjustment settings" checked in Skype.

Thanks Niek72000. I was just about to go buy a new microphone (even though I have a new Logitech Chat Headset). I changed the value exactly as you said and it worked a treat. Ticking the automatic adjustment box in the options reset the value from 255 to 137.

Good job.

Hello,
I have my mic working perfectly, but wen I make an international call
the other users can't hear me.
I tried the 123echo, but I can hear my voice back.

I edited the config.xml file that says <MicVolume>-1</MicVolume>
and I writed <MicVolume>255</MicVolume>

BUT.... it doesn't work and if open again the .xml file. the original -1 value apears there why????

Thanks

Antonio

[quote=dualvortex]Hello,
I have my mic working perfectly, but wen I make an international call
the other users can't hear me.
I tried the 123echo, but I can hear my voice back.

I edited the config.xml file that says <MicVolume>-1</MicVolume>
and I writed <MicVolume>255</MicVolume>

BUT.... it doesn't work and if open again the .xml file. the original -1 value apears there why????

Thanks

Antonio[/quote]

Try removing the check from "allow automatic sound adjustment settings" in tools...>options....>sound devices....>save then do the alteration in the config.xml file and see if that makes a difference. Remember you must shut down Skype to do the config.xml change.

[quote=rocketman]I would assume this setting depends on the type of hand/headset/phone you are using. I checked me and it was set to 75 ver 1.2.0.37.[/quote]

If you use a USB device this setting will not matter as the USB driver decides.

Unticking Enable automating Sound Device Adjustments stops SKYPE from taking over your mike control mainly 20DB boost. Is my understanding.

The setting 256 (255 being maxim) is incorrect in Hex as pointed out, the clever part was realizing that.

[quote=GLADIATOR][quote=rocketman]I would assume this setting depends on the type of hand/headset/phone you are using. I checked me and it was set to 75 ver 1.2.0.37.[/quote]

If you use a USB device this setting will not matter as the USB driver decides.

Unticking Enable automating Sound Device Adjustments stops SKYPE from taking over your mike control mainly 20DB boost. Is my understanding.

The setting 256 (255 being maxim) is incorrect in Hex as pointed out, the clever part was realizing that.[/quote]

Ok so if you leave all you settings as the default setting apart form which sound card you use where does Skype get this <MicVolume>xx</MicVolume> information from to be able to set it in the config.xml file, because al lot of people seem to have different readings. Is it something to do with the type of sound card they have instaled I ask myself.

Skype is obviously setting this based on feedback/echo during a call. I did read somewhere what they are monitoring exactly.

But surely if your volume peaks above a certain level or feedback present SKYPE automatically adjusts the volume.

A million thank you's for this post! I'm new to Skype, and couldn't for the life of me figure out why it wasn't working. This solved my problems!!!

And now let us hope that the Skype people, when they come back to their work on Monday, read this forum. As long as this bug is not definitively cured by them, I will not recommend Skype to my friends and colleagues: not all of them are able to correct the bug, even with help (from me or someone else) from a distance.

So, if you work for Skype, and if you are able to repair the bug or let your colleagues do it: please send a message as a reply to this forum discussion!

Thanks, but still not working.

I can use my mic with another programs (like soundforge sound rcording),,, and it works, I can hear mi own voice when talking..
But others can't, echo123 can't....

I've been using this computer and this mic , in a friends house with a different internet connection, and it works... :lol:

?¿? any other solution???

Thanks

First:
SKYPE-->Tools-->Options-->Sound Devices-->(untick) Enable Automating Sound Device Adjustment Settings-->Save.

then:

Go to:
Start
Programs
Accessories
Entertainment or go to
Volume Control; right click on loudspeaker icon in Task Tray
Options
Microphone
Scroll down
Check "Microphone"
Check "Advanced properties"
Check Micro "Advanced"
Open
Check "20db boost" if available
Set micro volume manually to app 50%
(This only works with AGC = 0 = off)
Ignore if the microphone is muted. This is controlled by Skype

Hi. I searched help in this forum, found this and was able to correct this. Thanks

Have you checked that the file config.xml has really been changed? Remember that you cannot save the file if Skype is still open. Perhaps you just thought you saved the changed file but actually you did not.

Another possibility is that there are in the folder 'C:documents and settings[user name]application dataskype several Skype user names. This may be the case if you first tried to start using Skype with a Skype name that already existed. Strangely enough, Skype makes a user folder for every attempt you make to subscribe, even if the attempt fails.

Or perhaps there are more than one users on your computer. It may be that your folder 'C:documents and settings contains several user folders, and you picked the wrong one.

Another chance is something that other users pointed at in other threads. Depending on the version of Skype you use, it may be that the file config.xml contains a string:
<AGC>1</AGC>
If this is so, try changing this 1 into 0 (zero).
It may be that this string is present several times. If so, change them all.
If this still does not work, try to insert the string:
<AGC>0</AGC>
as a new lines, just below the line containing the word "General" (if this section doesn't already have this line).

If all this does not help, you could uninstall Skype, download the latest version of Skype and install that. After that, change the volume setting to 255 as described earlier.