Ubuntu
skype package

built-in mic doesn't work with Skype

Asked by Claudia

hello, I was just wondering if someone can help: I installed Ubuntu Lucid and I installed Skype. All good, except for the fact that my built in mic doesn't work with Skype and if I use external microphones (I just tried with iPhone headset to test) the volume is extremely low.
I have both ALSA and Pulse Audio but I cannot select ALSA from the menu (in Skype) so I guess some file is missing but I don't know which one.
My built in mic works perfectly well under Windows 7, by the way.
I am using a Sony Vaio NS11 Series, Windows 7 and Ubuntu Lucid. Skype in use is the beta version 2.1.0.81.
I know I could buy an external mic but it seems to me just stupid everything works absolutely smooth and fine except this little thing.
Could you advice please?
Thank you so much in advance.
Best
Claudia

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arochester (arochester) said : 		#1

Skype+Pulse=not good

The sound controls for Skype are IN Skype and NOT in the computer volume/mixer.

Go Skype>S button(bottom left)>Options>Sound Devices

Over time Skype has changed for me. Once I had to experiment with the settings and had to change to the option with "hw" in it. Then is used a USB Internet phone. Then USB did not work. Then Skype was good for auto-recognising the sound card input/output.

You need to experiment with differnet settings and make a Test Call or three

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jonjac3@gmail.com (jonjac3-gmail) said : 		#2

try going to applications/ubuntu software centre/sound & video/get software. scroll down and get Gnome alsa mixer. pulse audio volume control. pulse audio device chooser. when installed they will be in applications/sound &. video.
Gnome alsa mixer should let you alter most things. pulse device chooser puts an icon in the toolbar. l/click on this to see all the options.
by installing these I was able to get my built in mic working ok.
                                                                                                   hope it helps you out.

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G.D.Walker (oldpond2) said : 		#3

I have just had something similar which you might like to try. I have just done a clean install of 10.04 Lucid from CD. I downloaded skype from the Canonical Partners Repository. I found that the mic in my Logitec webcam worked ok with Applications/Sound&Video/Sound Recorder, but I noticed that it cut out if I went above half volume (some sort of limiter in operation?).

When I tried it with skype it wouldnt work at all. By a fluke I had the sound preferences open at the same time as I tried a skype test call. I noticed that after the call the volume had been pushed up past half way. I then tried skype/options/sound devices and un-ticked the "Allow skypr to automatically adjust my mixer levels". The test call then worked.

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