blue snowball ice microphone (help...? Please...???)

[AmberAndGolden]

I use a blue yeti microphone, I don't have issues. By the looks of what I can see online the snowball doesn't have gain adjustment on the mic itself like the yeti.

Here's what I want you to do, while connected to your PC click on the right click sound icon in your task bar (the icon that controls your volume) and select Recording Devices. Make sure the blue microphone is the ONLY microphone enabled on your PC and set it as your default device. Also, right click the device and open up properties. You should be able to see audio levels from the mic itself. If the mic is picking up audio properly you will know, you may also be able to adjust the gain of your mic if it is not already set to default.

One last thing, if that is super confusing for you try scratch testing your mic. I think it's possible you are recording with the wrong mic. Just scratch your mic while recording see if it picks up the sound. If not you're probably recording with something other than your mic.

I have the laptop in build mic off most of the time anyway, and I always double check while i'm recording!
When I go into my setting, I have the mic sensitivity up to the max, there aren't really any other options other than that...
And yeah, I always clap in front of the mic to see if its picking the sound up from there or my laptop (as when I'm recording a video my mic is kind of far away from my laptop anyway)

 

[TechSpotJosh]

I have the laptop in build mic off most of the time anyway, and I always double check while i'm recording!
When I go into my setting, I have the mic sensitivity up to the max, there aren't really any other options other than that...
And yeah, I always clap in front of the mic to see if its picking the sound up from there or my laptop (as when I'm recording a video my mic is kind of far away from my laptop anyway)

Clapping in front of the mic is used for audio syncing, not for testing to see if you have the right mic set up. Scratch testing is used to see if you have the right mic set up as other mics won't pick up the harsh sound of your nail against the microphone.

 

[AmberAndGolden]

Clapping in front of the mic is used for audio syncing, not for testing to see if you have the right mic set up. Scratch testing is used to see if you have the right mic set up as other mics won't pick up the harsh sound of your nail against the microphone.

I know, but since I have my laptop mic turned off I know for a fact I'm using the blue snowball..
I clap in front of my mic then further away to see if that's the mic that's picking up the sound

 

[TechSpotJosh]

I know, but since I have my laptop mic turned off I know for a fact I'm using the blue snowball..
I clap in front of my mic then further away to see if that's the mic that's picking up the sound

Unfortunately if you have a second mic active it will still pick up the clap at the same distance. I'm not saying you don't have the mic disabled but in order to properly rule out any problems you NEED to do a scratch test. I have a diploma in broadcasting and I'm telling you if I told a director that I clapped to check the mic I'd be fired. Let me know when you have tested it out doing a scratch test and then I will be able to assist you further.

Also for the sake of the test could you also do a scratch test on the same recording for your second mic. We will confirm if it is in fact the blue microphone that is recording and work from there.[DOUBLEPOST=1489421601,1489376786][/DOUBLEPOST]In order to properly determine what is causing your mic issues you need to follow these steps (if I have overlooked any steps of the troubleshooting process anyone else feel free to interject.)

1: Is your mic plugged in?
2: Is it getting power?
3: Is the device your recording on set to record your microphone (test by scratching or blowing on mic; if no audio is picked up another mic is connected or your mic / audio cable may be damaged or it may be issues with the device you're attempting to record on.)
4. If you've got true right mic connected and are still having issues repeat step 3 on another device (to rule out your laptop being the issue.)
5. Replace the USB chord that powers your mic and see if that fixed it. If it is the same chord as the Blue Yeti than it is a really cheap chord and easy to replay (you may need to purchase it online though as I was looking for spares and was told they don't carry them in stores anymore.)

If after all of this your microphone is still not working it is very likely it is he microphone itself that is broken. You said you are sure you have the right mic connected but as mentioned before this is the ONLY way to know for sure.

Also if you could give me an audio sample I could have a better idea of what your issue might be.

 

[AmberAndGolden]

Unfortunately if you have a second mic active it will still pick up the clap at the same distance. I'm not saying you don't have the mic disabled but in order to properly rule out any problems you NEED to do a scratch test. I have a diploma in broadcasting and I'm telling you if I told a director that I clapped to check the mic I'd be fired. Let me know when you have tested it out doing a scratch test and then I will be able to assist you further.

Also for the sake of the test could you also do a scratch test on the same recording for your second mic. We will confirm if it is in fact the blue microphone that is recording and work from there.[DOUBLEPOST=1489421601,1489376786][/DOUBLEPOST]In order to properly determine what is causing your mic issues you need to follow these steps (if I have overlooked any steps of the troubleshooting process anyone else feel free to interject.)

1: Is your mic plugged in?
2: Is it getting power?
3: Is the device your recording on set to record your microphone (test by scratching or blowing on mic; if no audio is picked up another mic is connected or your mic / audio cable may be damaged or it may be issues with the device you're attempting to record on.)
4. If you've got true right mic connected and are still having issues repeat step 3 on another device (to rule out your laptop being the issue.)
5. Replace the USB chord that powers your mic and see if that fixed it. If it is the same chord as the Blue Yeti than it is a really cheap chord and easy to replay (you may need to purchase it online though as I was looking for spares and was told they don't carry them in stores anymore.)

If after all of this your microphone is still not working it is very likely it is he microphone itself that is broken. You said you are sure you have the right mic connected but as mentioned before this is the ONLY way to know for sure.

Also if you could give me an audio sample I could have a better idea of what your issue might be.

I only have one mic, the blue snowball (and only ONE of these) and my laptop mic is turned off.
I did the 'scratch test' on the mic and it is definitely the blue snowball that's picking up the sound.

Yes the mic is plugged in, the light is on on the front so it IS getting power, I did the scratch test, I tested the mic on another laptop (same result)
I will get a new cable for my mic, to see if that works, I've heard other people say that the cable for the blue snowball can break easily//// Heres hopinggggggg

 

[TechSpotJosh]

I only have one mic, the blue snowball (and only ONE of these) and my laptop mic is turned off.
I did the 'scratch test' on the mic and it is definitely the blue snowball that's picking up the sound.

Yes the mic is plugged in, the light is on on the front so it IS getting power, I did the scratch test, I tested the mic on another laptop (same result)
I will get a new cable for my mic, to see if that works, I've heard other people say that the cable for the blue snowball can break easily//// Heres hopinggggggg

My blue yeti's mic gave out last week. It still was getting power but wasn't recording audio properly. Replaced the chord and it worked. Sorry I know all of that was tedious but if it's not done we can't properly test to see if the issue is something else (for example if the mic was getting no power and you switched cables and was still getting no power that doesn't prove that the issue isn't the cable.)