Windows 10, cannot manually set audio input level, only AGC

[Anderegg]

The built in mic jack on my little Windows 10 PC, as well as an external USB iMic mic/line input device, both have auto and always changing levels. I can sit and watch the sound settings in control panel, and it just goes up and down with no way to stop or set it in stone. It's driving me crazy, ebacsue i cant setup my feeds at all as the audio keeps drastically changing, and either is so low I can't hear, or it's +20db and blown out and clipping.

Whats happening?

Paul

 

[jonwienke]

Never use a mic jack, unless it's a combo mic/line in and you can set it to line in. In the sound mixer or control panel, there should be a check box for turning auto gain control off. If not, you need to get a better device that has a driver that allows a manual gain level to be set.

Or better yet, use the network connection to stream digital audio from the scanner, and bypass ground loops and other issues that cause such problems. Unplugging all the analog sound cabling and using 100% digital connection might make the 60Hz hum go away. That's usually caused by ground loops and/or inadequate shielding on devices powered by 60Hz utility power.

 

[Anderegg]

I bought one of those tiny baby Lenovo Thinkcentre Ultra Tiny Form Factor PC's, the size of a book, to use as my dedicated streaming platform...snagged it for $40 on eBay. It has only a Mic jack, but I plugged an iMic USB adaptor into it, which has a switch to toggle between Mic and Line level. Both the built in Mic, as well as the iMic, are both ramping levels up and down, but they do not have AGC or any other options to enable or disable that behavior. I have tried taking them in and out of exclusive mode, and disabling and enabling all enhancements...no change.

I cannot run a LAN audio feed, because I use 4 scanners into a mixer with remote Android app remote control, which is not available on ProScan.

Paul

 

[jonwienke]

You can remote control and listen to Proscan with a web browser, sounds like that would be less hassle than dealing with going the analog route.

 

[Anderegg]

You cannot remotely control Proscan with audio inputs from 4 scanners at once out in the field. I use the TRX Android Suite, there is nothing that can even come close to comparing with it's functionality. I've got my general remote controlled scanner with 3 other scanners mixing dispatch and mutual aid command traffic, so I don't miss any call outs.

Paul

 

[jonwienke]

You can run multiple instances of ProScan (one for each scanner), and control each one separately.

 

[Anderegg]

Can you link me to the Android or iOS app for that?

Paul

 

[jonwienke]

Any web browser that supports multiple tabs on the client end. The only complication is that each instance of ProScan needs to have a separate port configured. Post in the ProScan forum for details. You're not the only one feeding multiple scanners from one machine.

 

[Anderegg]

I can assure you I am the only person doing what I am doing how I am doing it. I work TV news in the field. I use my Android phone with TRX Suite APP to remotely control my WS1098, which along with 3 other WS1098 feeds into a mini mixer which I then hear in my Bluetooth headset while I am filming other news stories. If I hear a good call, I reach up and hit the HOLD button...its a BIG BUTTON, its an APP BUTTON, its not a tiny Chrome tab where I need a magnifying glass and 10 seconds to deal with it and the delays.

I think the misunderstanding is in that I am trying to work a scanner while doing other things at the same time in the dark and in the field, so as close to a physical radio I can get the better. The floating mic gain issue is a problem, because BT headsets don't crank out that much audio, so when the mic input dials down,a nd I am standing on the highway or other noisy enviornmnet, my remote stream audio needs to remain consistant.

Paul

 

[jonwienke]

I would still have a conversation with Bob about Proscan. What you're trying to do doesn't sound all that unique.

 

[Anderegg]

I installed Equalizer APO, and besides being able to use filters, it also locks down the floating Mic/Line input level, no more unwanted changes.

Paul