Hi ,
Probably this is a common problem, but i cannot solve it at all. Skype adjusts the mic recording volume when I make a loud sound... the volume always decreases, but it doesn't go back. So, when I mistakenly make some strong sound during a call, others hear me very quietly.. when this happens, there's no way to increase the mic input volume, I must make the call again, then skype increases the mic volume itself.. There's a posibility to "Let Skype adjust my sound device settings", but Skype changes the mic volume, no matter if I turn this feature on.

Tell me, if you don't understand something, my english sux more than me

Mehedict wrote

Let Skype adjust my sound device settings

This has nothing to do with you mic volume you need to disable the AGC in skype, follow the instructions below to do this.

Disable (A)utomatic (G)ain ©ontrol AGC V1.3 and below.

First: SKYPE-->Tools-->Options-->Sound Devices-->(untick) Let Skype adjust my sound device settings-->Save.

(You need to quit SKYPE first before you continue below):

Then you need to make an alteration in your config.xmi file.
To find Config .xml copy and paste the section in bold:
%AppData%\Skype in the address bar of Windows Explorer or IE and it will display all the files in that folder regardless of whether they’re hidden or not, you will see a folder with the same name as your Skype username, double click this folder to open it and you will see the comfig.xml file you have to alter.
Right click on the config.xml file.
Choose open with.
Choose Program.
Select Note Pad.
Tick Always use the selected program………….


Find these 2 (two) entries in
One in "General" AND one in "Call"
Attention: If there is only one, please add!
<AGC>1</AGC>
Now change this "1" in the middle to "0", this will disable Skype AGC
If you change, you must change them both!!!

It shall look like this

<Call>
<AGC>0</AGC>

And further down

<General>
<AEC>1</AEC>
<AGC>0</AGC>

Attention: Watch spacing when adding!
This is not showing the correct spacing, as the forum software will delete all leading blank spaces.
Don’t forget to shutdown Skype before doing this.
Skype will not allow any changes while running!
You must set the signal volume now manually for best quality (use MS Sound Recorder or echo123 again)

Now you should check your config.xml again
In CALL you shall find this entry
It should look like this
<MicVolume>xxx</MicVolume>
Values:
The range could be from 1 to 255
NOTE This volume setting should be set initially to 125 but increased in increments of 5 if you voice level is still low. If you voice level is to high or it is distorted decrease this number in increments of 5 until your voice level if normal.
So please give this a try as well.

Please note:
If you have to readjust the <MicVolume>xxx</MicVolume> you do not need to shut down Skype again. As AGC is now OFF you can alter the mike volume while in a conversation by going to Sound & Audio Devices in Windows Control Panel open this…..>advanced on the volume tab……>options…….>properties……….>recording….>ok this will open the Recording Panel where you can then adjust the microphone volume slider as you talk, also make sure you have put a tick in Select also make sure your audio device/sound card etc is named in the bottom left hand corner of the Recording Control Panel. If this is not the case then click options……..>properties……………>Select your audio device/sound card from the drop down menu…….>ok this will then take you back to the Recording Control Panel where you can continue to adjust your microphone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disable (A)utomatic (G)ain ©ontrol AGC V 2 and above.

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

(You need to quit SKYPE first before you continue below):

Now you need to check your Shared.xml file
To find Share.xml copy and paste the section in bold:
%AppData%\Skype in the address bar of Windows Explorer or IE and it will display all the files in that folder regardless of whether they’re hidden or not, you will then see the Share.xml
Right click on the Share.xml file.
Choose open with.
Choose Program.
Select Note Pad.
Tick Always use the selected program………….

In <VoiceEng> You need to insert <AGC>0</AGC> (see below)

<VoiceEng>
<AGC>0</AGC> <----------ADD this line only if you want to disable AGC and set to zero which will turn OFF AGC
MicVolume>255</MicVolume>
</VoiceEng>

<MicVolume>xxx</MicVolume>
Values:
The range could be from 1 to 255
NOTE This volume setting should be set initially 125 but increased in increments of 5 if you voice level is still low. If you voice level is to high or it is distorted decrease this number in increments of 5 until your voice level if normal.

If you want/need to edit here, please note:
256 is max volume - Value "1" and "255 or higher" = mike volume OFF

Save ..........................<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<do not forget

Save
Restart Skype

As Auto Volume Control is off now, you shall check volume now with
only "echo123"
Do not use MS sound recorder or any other windows software, they will/can NOT do this job.
Do not forget: Skype has his OWN control
You must use/check with a P2P call to "echo123"


If the volume with "256" is too high, sound could be distorted and/or clipped.
This loud, but poor sound, may be not understandable
Set for best audio quality !!!

Please note:
If you have to readjust the <MicVolume>xxx</MicVolume> you do not need to shut down Skype again. As AGC is now OFF you can alter the mike volume while in a conversation by going to Sound & Audio Devices in Windows Control Panel open this…..>advanced on the volume tab……>options…….>properties……….>recording….>ok this will open the Recording Panel where you can then adjust the microphone volume slider as you talk, also make sure you have put a tick in Select also make sure your audio device/sound card etc is named in the bottom left hand corner of the Recording Control Panel. If this is not the case then click options……..>properties……………>Select your audio device/sound card from the drop down menu…….>ok this will then take you back to the Recording Control Panel where you can continue to adjust your microphone.


NOTE: If this addition does not make any difference in version 2.0.xxx and above you are advised to remove it and resave the file.

Note: Think about your contact. If he/she has this problem as well!!!!

Thanks

I think I'll make you want to kill me now: I found this tut in older topics, some minutes ago... It's strange that I found nothing using the PHPBB search feature, but Google rulez

But thank you anyway

[quote=Mehedict]Thanks

I think I'll make you want to kill me now: I found this tut in older topics, some minutes ago... It's strange that I found nothing using the PHPBB search feature, but Google rulez

But thank you anyway [/quote]

No problem but remember if you do this mod you now have to control you mic volume yourself as Skype will not do it. I would suggest you first set the mic volume to 125 and see how it goes then adjust it is required but you must SHUT DOWN Skype to be able to do it.

I am using version 2.5

I have followed your instruction but I must be doing something wrong as the changes don't seem to make any difference for me. Am I able to send you the file and have you make the changes for me by any chance?!

Thanks!

Steve

steve.lawrence

Did you shut down Skype first before you altered the file then remember to save it after the alterations because there is no reason why if you followed my instructions it will not work.

No do not send me the file as there is personal stuff on there.

Please check again by printing out my instructions and the doing it stage by stage.

steve.lawrence
Did you shut down Skype first before you altered the file then remember to save it after the alterations because there is no reason why if you followed my instructions it will not work.
No do not send me the file as there is personal stuff on there.
Please check again by printing out my instructions and the doing it stage by stage.

Sweet man works awesome. Thnx for the help smart person.

Hi, how do we determine what version of AGC we have? I'm using 2.5.0.141 (latest build), but I do not see <VoiceEng> anywhere inside config.xml.

I applied the changes of code to config.xml using your guidelines (for AGV 1.3 and below); saving Sound Device settings in skype, shutting down skype and the locating and editing the file. I applied the <micvolume> tag aswell once trying skype test call and setting it to 255.... but shortly after placing a call Skype again started to adjust my volume.

This is very annoying, is there any further advice? I'll continue to search the forums, thanks for all of the support already posted.

Bambi

(EDIT)
I added

CODE

<VoiceEng>
  <AGC>0</AGC>
  <MicVolume>210</MicVolume>
</VoiceEng>

to the config.xml within the UI tags and it appears to be working now! 255 was too loud, 210 seems just right for now. Thanks again!

The version mentioned are from Skype NOT for AGV

The version mentioned are from Skype NOT for AGV

Thanks for the reply, but with due respect I think you misunderstood. My question was HOW do we determine what version of AGC we are using. I posted my skype version to support my post.

Thanks

Bam


EDIT
My mistake... assuming I had AGC1.3 I edited config.xml only. I reverted back to my original config.xml and instead edited shared.xml (as per 2.0+ guidelines) and everything works brilliant!

Thank you skype support!!

Mehedict wrote

This has nothing to do with you mic volume you need to disable the AGC in skype, follow the instructions below to do this.

Disable (A)utomatic (G)ain ©ontrol AGC V1.3 and below.

First: SKYPE-->Tools-->Options-->Sound Devices-->(untick) Let Skype adjust my sound device settings-->Save.

(You need to quit SKYPE first before you continue below):

Then you need to make an alteration in your config.xmi file.
To find Config .xml copy and paste the section in bold:
%AppData%\Skype in the address bar of Windows Explorer or IE and it will display all the files in that folder regardless of whether they’re hidden or not, you will see a folder with the same name as your Skype username, double click this folder to open it and you will see the comfig.xml file you have to alter.
Right click on the config.xml file.
Choose open with.
Choose Program.
Select Note Pad.
Tick Always use the selected program………….
Find these 2 (two) entries in
One in "General" AND one in "Call"
Attention: If there is only one, please add!
<AGC>1</AGC>
Now change this "1" in the middle to "0", this will disable Skype AGC
If you change, you must change them both!!!

It shall look like this

<Call>
<AGC>0</AGC>

And further down

<General>
<AEC>1</AEC>
<AGC>0</AGC>

Attention: Watch spacing when adding!
This is not showing the correct spacing, as the forum software will delete all leading blank spaces.
Don’t forget to shutdown Skype before doing this.
Skype will not allow any changes while running!
You must set the signal volume now manually for best quality (use MS Sound Recorder or echo123 again)

Now you should check your config.xml again
In CALL you shall find this entry
It should look like this
<MicVolume>xxx</MicVolume>
Values:
The range could be from 1 to 255
NOTE This volume setting should be set initially to 125 but increased in increments of 5 if you voice level is still low. If you voice level is to high or it is distorted decrease this number in increments of 5 until your voice level if normal.
So please give this a try as well.

Please note:
If you have to readjust the <MicVolume>xxx</MicVolume> you do not need to shut down Skype again. As AGC is now OFF you can alter the mike volume while in a conversation by going to Sound & Audio Devices in Windows Control Panel open this…..>advanced on the volume tab……>options…….>properties……….>recording….>ok this will open the Recording Panel where you can then adjust the microphone volume slider as you talk, also make sure you have put a tick in Select also make sure your audio device/sound card etc is named in the bottom left hand corner of the Recording Control Panel. If this is not the case then click options……..>properties……………>Select your audio device/sound card from the drop down menu…….>ok this will then take you back to the Recording Control Panel where you can continue to adjust your microphone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disable (A)utomatic (G)ain ©ontrol AGC V 2 and above.

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

(You need to quit SKYPE first before you continue below):

Now you need to check your Shared.xml file
To find Share.xml copy and paste the section in bold:
%AppData%\Skype in the address bar of Windows Explorer or IE and it will display all the files in that folder regardless of whether they’re hidden or not, you will then see the Share.xml
Right click on the Share.xml file.
Choose open with.
Choose Program.
Select Note Pad.
Tick Always use the selected program………….

In <VoiceEng> You need to insert <AGC>0</AGC> (see below)

<VoiceEng>
<AGC>0</AGC> <----------ADD this line only if you want to disable AGC and set to zero which will turn OFF AGC
MicVolume>255</MicVolume>
</VoiceEng>

<MicVolume>xxx</MicVolume>
Values:
The range could be from 1 to 255
NOTE This volume setting should be set initially 125 but increased in increments of 5 if you voice level is still low. If you voice level is to high or it is distorted decrease this number in increments of 5 until your voice level if normal.

If you want/need to edit here, please note:
256 is max volume - Value "1" and "255 or higher" = mike volume OFF

Save ..........................<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<do not forget

Save
Restart Skype

As Auto Volume Control is off now, you shall check volume now with
only "echo123"
Do not use MS sound recorder or any other windows software, they will/can NOT do this job.
Do not forget: Skype has his OWN control
You must use/check with a P2P call to "echo123"
If the volume with "256" is too high, sound could be distorted and/or clipped.
This loud, but poor sound, may be not understandable
Set for best audio quality !!!

Please note:
If you have to readjust the <MicVolume>xxx</MicVolume> you do not need to shut down Skype again. As AGC is now OFF you can alter the mike volume while in a conversation by going to Sound & Audio Devices in Windows Control Panel open this…..>advanced on the volume tab……>options…….>properties……….>recording….>ok this will open the Recording Panel where you can then adjust the microphone volume slider as you talk, also make sure you have put a tick in Select also make sure your audio device/sound card etc is named in the bottom left hand corner of the Recording Control Panel. If this is not the case then click options……..>properties……………>Select your audio device/sound card from the drop down menu…….>ok this will then take you back to the Recording Control Panel where you can continue to adjust your microphone.
NOTE: If this addition does not make any difference in version 2.0.xxx and above you are advised to remove it and resave the file.

Note: Think about your contact. If he/she has this problem as well!!!!

I just attempted Rocketman's suggested solution on my Mac G4- dual 1.25, running OSX Tiger v. 10.4.8. It worked perfectly. I can now control incoming volume with Mac's volume controls.

I'm using Skype version 2.5.0.85 for Mac OSX.

Thank you!

baldego

great!!! Rocketman, this seemed to do the trick, i'll find out in my next conference call, I had been gradually fading out until they couldn't hear me, but I could hear them.
Thank you, that was easy and awesome!
expeditionmission

Just a note on how to actually do this on OS X.

Quit skype
Edit skype's config file (in terminal):

nano ~/Library/Application\ Support/Skype/shared.xml

Near the bottom, look for:

CODE

    <VoiceEng>
      <MicVolume>100</MicVolume>
    </VoiceEng>

Edit it to say:

CODE

    <VoiceEng>
      <AGC>0</AGC>
      <MicVolume>100</MicVolume>
    </VoiceEng>

Save it, relaunch skype. Input volume should now stay put. Seems that OS X max volume is 100, not 255.

HTH

This post has been edited by Synchro: Wed Aug 15 2007, 00:59

Just a note on how to actually do this on OS X.

Quit skype
Edit skype's config file (in terminal):

nano ~/Library/Application\ Support/Skype/shared.xml

Near the bottom, look for:

CODE

    <VoiceEng>
      <MicVolume>100</MicVolume>
    </VoiceEng>

Edit it to say:

CODE

    <VoiceEng>
      <AGC>0</AGC>
      <MicVolume>100</MicVolume>
    </VoiceEng>

Save it, relaunch skype. Input volume should now stay put. Seems that OS X max volume is 100, not 255.

HTH

max mic volume is also 100 now (expressed as percent) -- this changed quite some time ago

i have the latest v3. does this hack still work with it? why not just fix it, VERY ANNOYING!!

Thanks Synchro, it works perfectly! I'm using a MacBook with a built-in mic and I no longer have the problem of my mic volume turning itself up.

There's no checkbox for "Automatic Sound Adjustment" in the OS X version of Skype, and the manual XML edits don't make a difference in Leopard. Skype, please fix this!

This thread was extremely helpful as I'd been wondering how to solve this for quite a long time.

So if the max volume is 100 now, then what happens when you put in higher or wrong numbers? Does it revert to 255, or does it ignore it. On my Skype I put in 191 and that seemed to work just fine (2.7.0.330 on Mac OS X 10.3.9). Just curious at this point.

Someone else with Leopard should confirm whether the edits work or not on that system just to be sure for Maqo.

I can confirm that it works with Mac OS X 10.5.4 and Skype 2.7.0.330. At the bottom of ~/Library/Application Support/Skype/shared.xml was part like this:

<VoiceEng>
<MicBoost>
<Built-in.20Input>0</Built-in.20Input>


And I change it to this:

<VoiceEng>
<AGC>0</AGC>
<MicBoost>
<Built-in.20Input>0</Built-in.20Input>

Now Skype does not change the mic gain automatically.

Windows Device Volume Turns itself All the Way Down Automatically. I tried the suggestions here with editing the config.xml and shared.xml and also made sure the setting for automatic audio settings in Options was ticked OFF and still this thing keeps happening.

Now since I installed Skype I can no longer use any part of my audio system cuz if I turn the volume up so I can hear it turns itself right back down again like a ghost is moving the slider in Control Panel right before my eyes!

I even tried uninstalling Skype to no avail, what a curse this thing is, how to get rid of it for good?

Thanks