[so far no fixes from here work] pc sound plays through microphone

[Typhoonbot]

Hey everyone, yes this is yet another case of this extremely annoying problem. And yes, I do realise there are like five hundred billion trillion and seven posts about this particular problem, all with different suggestions on how to fix it, some of which have worked for people, and others which have not.

Let me open by saying I have tried every single solution read on this forum, and pretty much every other resource I could find.

The problem is, anything that should be able to hear my voice etc through my microphone, can hear it but also hear all my pc sound. So yes my voice and any noise made around the microphone is heard, and any music, game sound, windows sound, video sound (any sound whatsoever) is heard by anyone on the other side of my microphone. Now keep reading, because here is where it gets interesting. The microphone is definitely not just picking up noise leakage from the headset, it is actually streaming straight through. And here's the kicker, when the microphone is unplugged, and the sound is plugged in, all pc sound is STILL relayed through the mic to my fellow skypers / teamspeakers etc.

I have tested that the problem exists in windows "listen" option, skype, teamspeak (both to other people and in the settings where you can hear the microphone) and steam voice chat.

I am using the Asus orion pro gaming headset. And I have the realtek hd audio driver installed. However the problem persists with or without the realtek driver and on multiple computers, with multiple headsets. And my motherboard is the Asus Rampage IV Gene (I am using onboard sound card). I am running windows 8.1 64-bit

Now for the bad part, this is what I've tried:

1) Disable "stereo mix" through windows "Recoding" tab.
2) Remove the 3.5mm jacks from the included jack-to-usb sound card provided with the headset, and plug jacks straight into sound card on back of pc.
3) Plug jacks into audio ports on front of pc case.
4) Tried multiple different USB slots.
5) Tried disabling or enabling different microphones and speakers in the windows sound options.
6) Tried playing with all the settings, trying the alternative to each setting seperately in Realtek Audio Manager through Control Panel.
7) Tried a different headset in the pc (Razer blacksharks, and they had the same problem)
8) Tried both headsets in a different pc (both had the same problem as above)
9) Tried installing the SRS sound manager because apparently it worked for someone, it promptly told me I do not have an SRS device, and to stop being such a moron.
10) Tried changing microphone sensitivity levels, by turning microphone boost down, and to 0, as well as changing main microphone volume.
11) Tried enabling AGC (Automatic Gain Control) and disabling, same problem with both.
12) Changed and played with all the "noise reduction" and "echo cancellation" settings.

I probably tried other things as well, but after so much you do start to lose track of it, so if someone suggests something I have tried, I will just let you know.

So there it is guys, mystery of the century, and not sure what else to do, maybe there is someone else out there with the answer, or a work around they figured out for the same problem.

 

[nukemaster]

If you get any recording when the mic is fully disconnected from the system, it would seem something is being detected by Windows.

Please note that each program may have its own input settings.

As it stands now, I get an error whenever I open team speak without a mic connected to the system.

I also have this and a mic disabled logo on my name.

For some reason or another the system seems to be using some kind of loopback or something.

So you say both headsets do the same thing on 2 different systems?

 

[Typhoonbot]

Yes I tried 2 seperate headsets on my desktop pc, and on my laptop, both with the same results. Also I too get the error on teamspeak when no microphone is connected via the 3.5mm jack, however the Asus Orion Pro gaming headset has a usb connector, with a sound card which the 3.5mm jacks plug into, so if I have the usb plugged in, and then only the sound jack plugged into the spitfire sound card, that is when teamspeak pics up pc sound and plays through microphone. However I do still have the problem whether the microphone is connected via the usb spitfire sound card, straight into the sound card at back of pc (3.5mm jack) and at the microphone jack at front of pc case.

 

[nukemaster]

It is very strange indeed.

If you open something like sound recorder and record will it also record sounds that are playing. With Stereo mix disabled it should not, but the audio system in Windows Vista and newer uses a different setup too, programs like frames can record the windows itself regardless of recording settings(Fraps is an example of this. I think shadowplay does the same).

 

[Typhoonbot]

Hi again! Thanks for the contribution thus far.

I thought you might be onto something as I do use Bandicam, however the problem still persists with bandicam, shadowplay, and any other frame application closed. Also I can confirm that the problem definitely occurs with windows sound recorder.

 

[nukemaster]

Does the mic show the activity bar(green on most systems) in the recoding section as well when this is happening.

 

[Typhoonbot]

Nope, the green bars do not show activity, but it may be that it is just a bit too quite, like when I am really talking loudly into my microphone, I only get 2 green bars out of 10 that show green. So while it is picking up my (almost shouting) voice as only 2 bars, it may just not pick up the pc sound as it is always quieter than my voice in the applications I have been testing it, but still clearly audible.

 

[BraverThought]

Nope, the green bars do not show activity, but it may be that it is just a bit too quite, like when I am really talking loudly into my microphone, I only get 2 green bars out of 10 that show green. So while it is picking up my (almost shouting) voice as only 2 bars, it may just not pick up the pc sound as it is always quieter than my voice in the applications I have been testing it, but still clearly audible.

Not sure if you already found a solution to this, but I do have some questions. Your description sounds like something I am experiencing. I am using a Turtle Beach headset and I can physically remove the Mic from my headset. Thats when I noticed something. My Ear piece of my headset is being a mic. I spoke into the speaker of the headphones and heard my voice over my stereo speakers. I could also record. It is also why I to only saw little green bars when i yelled into my headset mic. One thing I have noticed is you are using realtek hd audio manager. I to am using that.

So at this point im pointing the finger at Realtek but I know nothing about audio controllers to do much troubleshooting.

 

[nukemaster]

Can I get a link to the headset in question.

Do you have 2 plugs or a single TRRS?

Not ALL TRRS devices work the same(but most are now following the same standard since so many cellular phones used them for headset/mic) and to add to this only a few computers have the ability to use this type of setup.

 

[BraverThought]

Can I get a link to the headset in question.

Do you have 2 plugs or a single TRRS?

Not ALL TRRS devices work the same(but most are now following the same standard since so many cellular phones used them for headset/mic) and to add to this only a few computers have the ability to use this type of setup.

For my issue this is the headset: http/www.turtlebeach.com/product-detail/xbox-one-headsets/ear-force-xo-four/390

It has a single jack. I am guessing the controller for my laptop doubles as audio and mic, but the controller on my desktop (Realtek) doesnt.

I tried to uninstall Realtek and use the windows controller, but didnt change anything. Installed Realtek again, nothing changed.

My mic jack is making ear piece the mic and not the mic itself.

 

[nukemaster]

The TRRS jacks are not very common on desktop because space is not at a premium.

Cellphones/tablets/some laptops use the TRRS jack to save space.

This has nothing to do with realtek as they make sound chips not the audio jacks.

The do sell adapters to go from 2 x 3.5mm TRS to 1 x 3.5 TRRS. The list it as being suitable for mobile gaming(without the Xbox controller adapter) so I would guess it uses the common(mic on sleeve common ring right on the next ring and left on the tip). These adapters are sold all over the place so have a look. If you can get it locally you have the ability to exchange/return if it does not work for you(I recommend this because some TRRS devices are wired differently, but it is less common now).

The adapters look like this. The connect to the normal mic and headphone jack on your desktop and combined it into one TRRS jack(stereo audio + single channel mic).

 

[b0ss101]

So have you found a fix for this? I'm having the same problem. I have a Corsair Raptor HS30 and the mic picks up my PC's playback. The headset has a switch to turn the mic off/on. If the switch is OFF, the PC sounds leaks to the mic anyways and it gets recorded very clearly (I record the sound to troubleshoot). If the switch is ON then the sounds don't leak as much, but if I turn the volume up all the way (100%), then you can hear the sounds from the PC. Even if I turn the volume (windows) all the way up and the headsets manual volume all the way down the mic somehow picks up the PC playback anyways, so it doesn't leak from the headset, it leaks directly from the system. It's very weird. Maybe it's my headset, but I don't think so as you have the same problem. None of the "fixes" work for me either...

 

[nukemaster]

I do not think it was solved. I was guessing something like "mixer" or "what you hear" recording, but it did not seem to be the case.

 

[Japsquad]

I know this thread is a bit old, but i just bought a Kingston HyperX Cloud headset and i have the exact same problem. Even when i take the mic out of the headset i can still hear for example music i was playing in the Audacity Recording. This is getting very Annoying. Is there still not a solution yet?

 

[nukemaster]

It is strange and I do not think anyone has nailed this down.

I mean without the mic connected, you should get no sound in a recording(unless recording the mixer/what u hear/ect)

It almost has to be a software bug or something. I do not use team speak that much, but when I do I have heard any complaints about hearing my sounds.

 

[Huntedsoul]

Hi guys, newbie to forum.
I am having a similar problem since i upgraded to win 10 from 7. In system it says mic not plugged in and only picks up my pc not my voice. I tried to reinstall audio driver but no success.

 

[nukemaster]

Because Windows 10 is new and has some new software/driver bugs that need to be worked out, I recommend posting a new thread because this one is old and for a different version of Windows.

If you have tried the front port without success, you can try the pink rear port to see if that works.

If your mic is not detected, the system may default to Stereo Mix(this hearing everything else.).

 

[Huntedsoul]

Because Windows 10 is new and has some new software/driver bugs that need to be worked out, I recommend posting a new thread because this one is old and for a different version of Windows.

If you have tried the front port without success, you can try the pink rear port to see if that works.

If your mic is not detected, the system may default to Stereo Mix(this hearing everything else.).

I know, just wondering if anyoneelse on the same boat. Anyway many thankx for the direction.

 

[kh2belal]

I have this problem and have not found a problem for over 2 years now, I have a turtle beach PLa headset, and stereomix is disabled..

 

[acidwise]

I have an ASUS ROG Orion PRO headset and I am pretty much pleased with it. It is comfortable and lightweight, provides a good sound both for the headphones and the microphone. The only annoying drawback of the set is a playback leakage to the microphone input of the Spitfire USB soundcard.

Intensive search through the Internet did not provide a positive result. Any proposed solutions including Stereo mix deactivation or installing an alternative mixer (e.g. VIA HD Audio Deck) did not work for me.
I have investigated the issue and came up with a solution. The bad news is, it is a hardware problem related to the ASUS Spitfire soundcard. The good news is, it can be fixed within 10 minutes with some basic equipment and soldering effort.

If you are interested, proceed on your own risk. I am not responsible for your actions and your decisions.

To understand the problem, let's take a look at schematics the audio output of the soundcard.

When the soundcard produces signal, a current flows from R and L terminals through the headphones and back to the analog ground (dashed) and further to the digital ground (triangle), as the current should end up at one of the power supply terminals. The analog ground is connected with the digital ground via the SMD inductor L1, which is not perfect: it has some ~0.5 Ohm resistance. The resistor R2 provides an alternative way to the audio current: via the MIC terminals and R1 right to the ADC of the soundcard. This is how the leakage occurs. Actually, it should happen only when the microphone is not plugged, however, some parasitic currents in the PCB still seem to happen. They must be small, but are still strong enough to hear after the high-gain microphone amplifier. To block these currents, the R2 must be removed. The microphone function should not be affected.

I believe, some (if not all) other ASUS soundcards might have the same problem, as most probably the analog part is developed by the same engineering team. Unfortunately I do not possess any other soudcards by ASUS except the Spitfire. Removing the resistor in it has completely solved my problem.

The process is described below. If you are interested, you can try to repeat it on your own risk. I am not responsible for your decisions and actions.

Necessary tools:

• 
  ■ Philips screwdriver #0
  ■ Guitar pick, plastic card or special opening tool
  ■ Soldering iron or hot air station
  ■ Tweezers

Disassembling:

Start by picking up and removing the red plastic decoration with an opening tool.

There are two screws under it. You know what to do.

Detach the front part of the housing and remove the two screws holding the wire.

Take the PCB out and turn around. The resistor marked yellow should be removed. Heat up both terminals of the resistor at the same time with a soldering iron until the solder melts and the resistor easily moves.
A good idea is to keep the resistor. I usually mount it to the same place, but solder only one terminal and keep the other one floating above the ground plane of the PCB. You will need the tweezers for that.

Done. Assemble the soundcard and enjoy.

Hopefully this helps.