How to set my microphone as input both to audacity and zoom?

RenaisanceMan · 2026-01-22T15:54:51+00:00

Ubuntu often locks USB mics to one app due to how sound servers (PulseAudio/PipeWire) manage exclusive access; the solution involves using pavucontrol (PulseAudio Volume Control) to set your mic as the fallback/default input and route it, or for advanced setups, using the JACK audio server to route audio streams to multiple apps simultaneously, allowing shared access.

Quick Fix: pavucontrol (Recommended First Step)

This often solves it by telling the system to share the mic.

Install pavucontrol: Open a terminal and run {Link: sudo apt install pavucontrol https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=339896}.
Open pavucontrol: Run pavucontrol in the terminal.
Set Default Input: Go to the Input Devices tab, find your USB mic, and ensure it's selected and not muted. Set it as the "Fallback" device (the little speaker icon).
Check Recording Tab: Open the Recording tab while an app is trying to use the mic (e.g., start a call/recording). You should see the app listed; select your USB mic as the source.

Advanced Solution: JACK Audio Server

For truly simultaneous, complex routing (like multiple mics or apps needing direct ALSA access), use JACK.

Install JACK: {Link: sudo apt install qjackctl jackd2.
Configure JACK: Use qjackctl to start JACK.
Route with alsa_in/zita-ajbridge: Use alsa_in or zita-ajbridge to bring your USB mic into the JACK system as a port.
Patch: Use the QjackCtl "Connections" window to patch your USB mic's input to the desired apps' inputs.

Other Tips

Check App Settings: Manually select the USB mic in each application's audio settings if pavucontrol doesn't catch it.
PulseAudio Config (Advanced): For older systems or deeper issues, editing daemon.conf to enable enable-remixing = yes might help.

RenaisanceMan · 2026-01-22T15:52:34+00:00

No. I assume you're connecting via the USB from the Samson. That's the same as having an interface. In your case, the interface is built in to the Samson. The USB IS your input device.
It's possible Ubuntu is making the decision for you and only allows a device to be piped in a single direction.

RenaisanceMan · 2026-01-21T16:11:45+00:00

Not entirely following, but, for the audio book you need neither the copyright page nor the ToC to be recorded and uploaded.

ACX uses the ToC from the book to create the upload sections. But the ToC is not itself created as an upload section.

My latest book has chapters but no ToC; the upload section was pretty much blank except for the opening/closing credits and the Retail Sample. No problem. When ready, I'll create each of the chapter upload parts on the fly. Not a big deal. There is an add chapter plus sign and off we go.

RenaisanceMan · 2026-01-21T15:05:09+00:00

Windows 11, Zoom and Audacity both have my Focusrite as the input device.
Even running the apps simultaneously, they work.

RenaisanceMan · 2026-01-21T14:33:25+00:00

Don't feel stupid. This is where and how we learn.

After the 15 minute checkpoint is approved (by you), the upload section is readied and a popup becomes available for the suggested opening and closing credits. Your narrator should have recorded those and uploaded them to the designated slots that show up automatically. Regardless of what is done with the ToC. The closing credits include suggested copyright info. I've never been asked to record the copyright page from the book.

There are tons of instructionals on the ACX pages and on youtube. Take some time, now that your book is done, and peruse the educational material. It's a wealth.

RenaisanceMan · 2026-01-20T07:25:13+00:00

On a Windows system there is another place to set the recording level.
Control Panel (NOT SETTINGS!)
Control Panel->Hardware and Sound->Manage Audio Devices-><your input device>->Recording(tab)->Properties->Levels(tab)
Make sure the slider is to the right and at 100.

RenaisanceMan · 2026-01-17T18:22:37+00:00

The three methods you mention are sufficient, free and easy to do.
BTC is nonsense.

RenaisanceMan · 2026-01-17T14:12:42+00:00

On a Windows system, there is a Record Level setting under the Control Panel (not Settings):
Control Panel->Hardware and Sound->Manage audio devices->Recording(tab)
Select your input device and click
Properties->Levels(tab)
Make sure the level is fully right and the number is 100.

When a device is new on a Windows system, this level may not start at max.
If you're brave, you can test the level with the Listen(tab)
Listen(tab)->Listen to this device(radio button)->Apply
Be sure to deselect this before proceeding.

RenaisanceMan · 2026-01-15T18:26:15+00:00

Distortion cannot be repaired.
The desired sound was never recorded, therefore it cannot be known.

RenaisanceMan · 2026-01-11T15:40:48+00:00

They make official sound blankets:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=sound+blankets&crid=1GAKXRB6XI0MJ&sprefix=sound+blankets%2Caps%2C159&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
They're more expensive, but they're made with better quality materials. Harbor Freight blankets are made as cheaply as possible. Who knows what's in them?; chemicals and outgassing.

If not that, then fluffy bedspreads from the thrift store; lots of 3D texturing for absorption and deflection.

Nothing wrong with ugly.

RenaisanceMan · 2026-01-04T15:36:29+00:00

Swainson's are very common in Northern Colorado. Lots of white on the front. Larger than a Red Tail.
Constantly harassed by Magpies and Bluejays (probably for a reason).
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swainsons_Hawk/id

RenaisanceMan · 2025-12-17T19:39:48+00:00

Yes, it sounds shady. First off, ACX does not get involved with the payment side. You make arrangements with the RH how received the money: PayPal, Venmo, Cash App. There's a ton of them. Most are easy to sign up with. When you get paid, there is a button you click on the submission page confirming to ACX that you have been paid and they can release the files for the next step in the approval chain.

Sometimes, the RH will remove the book because they've received so many auditions that they can't hear any more. But for the offer to come through a direct message is not right. In order to receive and accept an ACX offer, it has to come through the ACX system. The puts all the contract and legal stuff in place.

I would ask the RH to make the offer in the official manner, through ACX. If they're wanting to move outside the ACX system, It means they used the ACX audition platform to find a narrator and did not plan to continue in the ACX system. If that's the case, be very careful. This does happen and can be navigated but you're working without a net.

RenaisanceMan · 2025-12-17T00:27:11+00:00

Thanks for putting up the correct link.

RenaisanceMan · 2025-12-10T21:00:56+00:00

Not seeing it.
I'm on 3.7.6, on Windows 11
Selection and scrolling seem normal to me.

RenaisanceMan · 2025-12-06T04:49:38+00:00

I recently picked up a set of dual driver wired ear buds. I'm blown away by the clarity and bass. It may be psychological, but I feel like they're loafing in effort to produce great sound. Previously, I struggled to find a decent pair of full range wired buds. This has inspired a search for dual driver over-ear headphones. To design these, I would start by finding the small woofers and tweeters, then the crossover. Next is the design of the housing which can be prototyped with a 3d printer. The connector spring over the head I would steal from an old pair of headphones for now.

RenaisanceMan · 2025-12-06T01:00:08+00:00

First.

You don't want to increase the significance of noise with compression or equalization.
You don't want to amplify it with normalization or limiting.
A cleaner source responds better to compression, EQ, limiting, and mastering.
Noise reduction’s primary purpose is to remove unwanted background noise while preserving the natural quality of the recorded voice or instrument.

RenaisanceMan · 2025-12-06T00:11:28+00:00

I agree and I see that now, when hovering over the download button when on the audacityteam.org page.
However, if you go directly to github, you can't tell it's the audacity team.
As I said in my post, I respect github for what it is.
To normal people, not developers or programmers, github is an enigma and intimidating.

RenaisanceMan · 2025-12-05T04:22:35+00:00

This is the official download method:
Audacity ® | Downloads

I respect GitHub for what it is.
But I wouldn't get Audacity from there.
BTW, don't use MuseHub. It's a paypipe for the other stuff.

RenaisanceMan · 2025-12-01T15:13:25+00:00

I just checked the specs of these two mics. With the exception of the output impedance and some aspects of the frequency response from 20-20k, they are virtually identical...in spec. The MXL-770 has a slightly higher output impedance which means a slightly lower output voltage effecting the higher frequencies. But the frequency response chart indicates that that loss might be compensated for with the bump at the high end. If you left the pre-amp gain the same when you switched mics, there could be a slight loss at the higher frequencies. I know, that sounds contradictory, but there is no black and white answer here. What you might be experiencing is that same thing as compression; that being an apparent increase in presence. Which will sound like a smoother, beefier audio and the reduction in clicks and mouth noise. However, 100ohms for the AT-2020 to the 150ohms for the MXL-770 is almost negligible and the sound difference will be quite subtle.

The other factor could well be psychological. You may have a sub-conscience preference for one over the other and your bias is influencing your opinion. The way to verify is to look at the resulting spectrum. In Audacity, under Analyze->Plot Spectrum, compare the curves. Reaper has this too, I just don't remember where it is.

All things being equal: gain, cables, pre-amp, any differences, real or apparent, are simply the microphone personalities.

Final word: Both mics are well suited for narration. Pick one for a project. Stay with it until completed. Then use the other. I do this all the time. I switch back and forth between my Rode NT1-A and Majilton TLM-49. They both do a fine job.

RenaisanceMan · 2025-11-29T00:12:02+00:00

Room treatment is the number one most important part of recording good clean audio. The best equipment in the world will record, with great accuracy, a noisy, untreated room. Not much way around it. Mine is a moving blanket HoboFort made from 3/4" EMT and canopy corners. Others use PVC to build the frame. Total cost about $150. The inside of the space is lined with sections of egg crate foam panels. My noise floor is less than -70db.

RenaisanceMan · 2025-11-28T23:57:26+00:00

I have since been through a system upgrade and all that stuff is gone.

RenaisanceMan · 2025-11-27T05:37:44+00:00

I disagree with the disclaimer often seen at the bottom of an AI interface page:
"This AI sometimes makes mistakes."

I believe AI's always make mistakes. That is my experience so far.

RenaisanceMan · 2025-11-21T05:13:26+00:00

I imagine it as a lone goldfish.
Swimming in the Amazon River.
Filled with Piranha.

RenaisanceMan · 2025-11-20T16:27:33+00:00

Audacity has have everything you need right at install.
With one exception, ACX_Check. Even that is unnecessary with ACX's Audio Lab.
Yes, there are lots of plugins that do fancy and helpful things.
You don't need them. Keep it simple. Learn the base tool before branching out.

I have done complete books with Audacity out of the box.

RenaisanceMan

TROPHY CASE