Database Users

Low microphone volume?

Does anyone else have the person they are talking to mention how low you sound to them when speaking on the phone?
It seems like I have a low microphone on my nexus 4, unless the phone is directly in front of my mouth the person can't hear me clearly, I'm thinking it might be hardware but I know with some phones this can be corrected with a custom driver that makes the microphone more receptive
Is there an app or setting that I can use that would disable noise cancellation in case that's what causing my mic to make me sound low?

mastrgamr said:
Does anyone else have the person they are talking to mention how low you sound to them when speaking on the phone?
It seems like I have a low microphone on my nexus 4, unless the phone is directly in front of my mouth the person can't hear me clearly, I'm thinking it might be hardware but I know with some phones this can be corrected with a custom driver that makes the microphone more receptive
Is there an app or setting that I can use that would disable noise cancellation in case that's what causing my mic to make me sound low?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I have the exact same problem - not sure what we can do to fix it.
If I crank up the volume fully it appears to -sometimes- solve the low audio problem.

_stefans_ said:
Actually I have the exact same problem - not sure what we can do to fix it.
If I crank up the volume fully it appears to -sometimes- solve the low audio problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if it -sometimes- solves the problem then it might be a software bug. i hope some dev can be notified of this. have you tried a different ROM? if yes, have you notified the dev of the ROM?

Jamal Ahmed said:
if it -sometimes- solves the problem then it might be a software bug. i hope some dev can be notified of this. have you tried a different ROM? if yes, have you notified the dev of the ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its actually on stock, so I just rooted it, and will try with a different rom shortly.

Same thing here.. Sometimes they hear me, sometimes they don't even during the same call..

I'm starting to think the noise cancellation is playing some tricks.
While driving home this afternoon I was on headset on the freeway, where those I talked to could barely hear me.
Unplugged my headset (klipsch s4 image ii), and sound was good. After a while I plugged headset in again, still bad.
When coming off the freeway I kept the headset on while talking - and all of the sudden it was crystal clear (using the words of the guy I talked to at the time). At the same time I noticed that I had no data (outside even edge coverage), don't know if that is related or not.
Is there some way we could experiment / disable or tweak the noise cancelling?
Ps: I have had the same issues without headset also, so definitely something general software things going on
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

_stefans_ said:
Its actually on stock, so I just rooted it, and will try with a different rom shortly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same setup. I am using the Xylon (stable) 15 ROM for several days now, and SO FAR I think the microphone reception is better. I haven't heard complaint from the person I speak to on the regular. *cross fingers* hope it's 'fixed' in some way.
equi said:
Same thing here.. Sometimes they hear me, sometimes they don't even during the same call..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly how my phone was as well. I would be on one call for a while and all of a sudden out of nowhere the person I'm speaking to says I sound like I'm speaking across a room and I'm like 'wtf happened? I haven't changed positions since I started talking to you!'
I did a little testing with the person I was speaking to as well, to test the microphone receptiveness and the mic seems to pickup my voice better, I wasn't speaking directly into the mic and they said they heard me fine.
_stefans_ said:
I'm starting to think the noise cancellation is playing some tricks.
While driving home this afternoon I was on headset on the freeway, where those I talked to could barely hear me.
Unplugged my headset (klipsch s4 image ii), and sound was good. After a while I plugged headset in again, still bad.
When coming off the freeway I kept the headset on while talking - and all of the sudden it was crystal clear (using the words of the guy I talked to at the time). At the same time I noticed that I had no data (outside even edge coverage), don't know if that is related or not.
Is there some way we could experiment / disable or tweak the noise cancelling?
Ps: I have had the same issues without headset also, so definitely something general software things going on
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a sneaking suspicion It might have to do with the noise cancelation as well, I think on paper whoever designed that feature on the phone thought it would be cool but it doesn't seem to be panning out too well. I've read somewhere on this forum about how to increase microphone volume and cancel the noise cancellation using the Terminal Emulator app and/or the phone's dial codes (#*#*some sumbers*#*#).
I have the same earphones (no mic attached) and I have similar experience but I haven't taken note of it like you have since 95% of the time I have my headphones in the phone.
I also want to mention a little trick that I think seems to work when on calls. Whenever I turn the phone over, screen facing opposite of me, I hear less complaints of me sounding too low to the other person. Maybe it's doning something... i dont know.

Same issue - with headset only though
I have the same issue, people really struggle to hear me on conference calls (which I spend a lot of time on), so I have to hold the mic in front of my mouth to speak which gives awful sound quality. I don't have this issue when not using a headset (phone mic works fine).
Nexus 4 + Klipsch s4a = really quiet mic, people can't hear me at all.
Nexus 4 = No problem, phone mic works.
Note - music playback is fine, no issues there.
My klipsch headphones worked fine on my GNex, no issues, so I don't think it is a problem with them. It has been an issue from the moment I switched to a Nexus 4. Have also tried other headset (samsung one that came with Gnex) - and have the same issue of sounding very quiet on the headset mic.
I did wonder if it was an OMTP vs CTIA issue, but the button on my headset works fine to answer/hangup/skip tracks/open voice search etc. so I don't think it is that.
I also tested with another Nexus 4 handset using Soundmeter and got very similar results on both handsets, suggesting it isn't a handset issue (though not a very scientific test).
Does anyone have any ideas?

Just In Phone Calls?
Hi Folks,
Is this mic issue just related to phone calls?
I'm using the latest CM10.1 nightly build and my mic is useless for phone calls.
However, Google's voice search works just fine and if I record a video my voice is recorded just fine.

I could be wrong but I suspect the Nexus4 can not use the phone jack for incoming audio.
In my opinion when one plugs a headset into the audio jack the Nexus4 camera microphone
becomes activated, not the headset one. And the Nexus4 cam mic is really bad.
Again, I might be completely wrong. (I hope)
---------- Post added at 04:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:59 PM ----------
Ord Mandrell said:
Hi Folks,
Is this mic issue just related to phone calls?
I'm using the latest CM10.1 nightly build and my mic is useless for phone calls.
However, Google's voice search works just fine and if I record a video my voice is recorded just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG you have it reversed. What a mess!
I have yet to see Google Search understand anything I say and video sound is horrible. Call audio is great.

Hi guys - I am on stock android - same issue on 4.2.2 as on 4.2.1.
This isn't just related to phone calls, same issue on google search. I tested headset mic pickup volume when speaking normally with Soundmeter - around 35-40dB (what it calls a quiet whisper at 3ft to quiet residential area, Park).
I also tried moving the headset mic closer and further away from my mouth with the phone in the same position - with the headset mic virtually touching my lips it went to about 60 dB (normal conversation at 3ft) - so it does seem to be related to the headset mic. I can only guess it is either a dodgy connection in the handset or some noise cancelling functionality that is cancelling out my voice!
Any ideas or thoughts greatly appreciated

OMG you have it reversed. What a mess!
I have yet to see Google Search understand anything I say and video sound is horrible. Call audio is great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Darn it!
I knew I was an outlier.
No way I'm getting a fix for my issue then

Anyone figure out a fix? I'm having similar issues with my microphone.
Hooked as bluetooth device in my vehicle, other end hears me fine.
On phone call using speaker phone, other end hears me fine.
On phone call WITHOUT speaker phone, other end cannot hear me at all.
Using a sound recording app to record voice, playback of the recording I can hear my voice faintly if I was YELLING during the recording.
Shazam/Soundhound apps do not work.
I am rooted on rasbeanjelly/trinity kernel. I have to say this issue started a few days ago when I have done no changes to the phone. Already running the rom/kernel for weeks.
I've tried flashing back to stock rom/kernel and the same problems persist.
Any ideas?

akira112 said:
Anyone figure out a fix? I'm having similar issues with my microphone.
Hooked as bluetooth device in my vehicle, other end hears me fine.
On phone call using speaker phone, other end hears me fine.
On phone call WITHOUT speaker phone, other end cannot hear me at all.
Using a sound recording app to record voice, playback of the recording I can hear my voice faintly if I was YELLING during the recording.
Shazam/Soundhound apps do not work.
I am rooted on rasbeanjelly/trinity kernel. I have to say this issue started a few days ago when I have done no changes to the phone. Already running the rom/kernel for weeks.
I've tried flashing back to stock rom/kernel and the same problems persist.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an update, I unrooted and reverted back to stock and the problem went away, so it was defnitely a software issue. Will be trying other roms/radios/kernels and see if the problem comes back.
I was on rasbeanjelly 4.2.2/trinity

akira112, did you get any success with your experiments?
Guys, is there any progress / comments regarding this issue?.. Microphone itself works fine when recording the voice with some app, but during the voice calls it is the mess...

My Nexus 4 is two months old and is being returned to Google due to the microphone constantly cutting me out on calls to business clients. I've tried every trick from sound apps to custom roms. No joy. I'm hoping my replacement doesn't have the same problem (although given the sheer number of postings on this issue, I suspect a Nexus 4 design flaw)...

Hello
Is there any solution to low microphone volume problem?
I have been using my N4 for a week and some people complain about my voice's volume. There was no such problem with my previous phone (Defy). There is no difference whether I use phone's mic or bluetooth headset.
My Nexus runs CM10.1 with Franco kernel.

Also keen for a solution
I just returned my first N4 due to the speakerphone cutting out after a minute or two, and getting stuck in non-speakerphone mode.
The replacement seems to not have this issue, which is nice.
But now people are telling me they can hardly hear me. It happens both with normal mode and speakerphone mode.
Ridiculous.
I will be calling Google tomorrow to see what they say, but I am not going to hold my breath for a decent response. Judging by the number of people reporting this issue online, it's not something Google has a solution for.
If anyone figures this out, I'd love to hear about it.

Have sent mine for repair because of this problem. People told they could not here me well.
Skickat från min GT-I9305 via Tapatalk 2

I have the same issue, couldn't fix it but what I noted was that any mic gain adjustments I made only applied to the phone's mic not the headset mic. That means that there is something else that modifies the headset mic, but I do not know.

Audio distortion wiht CM11M8

Hey there, i'm having an issue with the speaker: after installing CWR and CM11M8 the sounds get cracky, like a broken speaker! It not always happen. I'm worried about the possibility to really break the speaker due to this issue. Searching online i've discovered that is a "already" fixed issue, but here it is. I've even read that if you disable the unlocking/locking screen sounds you can fix it.
how can i solve this without getting back to the crappy TW?

Up

Same problem however my sound distorts when playing music and moving to different apps

saint6192 said:
Same problem however my sound distorts when playing music and moving to different apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can't mate.. it's a commun issue with CM11 ..

Damn, well hope a fix comes soon

Well, at least it's not an HW issue, now i know it. Is it possible that it will ruin the speaker?

Thought it has been resolved
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=52641200
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Slight click when speaker turns on?

Has anyone noticed when you launch an app, and the speaker starts, it makes a little click sound? Is this normal? Is it just the speaker turning on? I'm a bit paranoid now since I first thought the speaker was bad, but then compared it to my G3, and now really like it better, but I do notice the ever so slight "click/pop" right before sound starts to come through the speaker. It even kind of does it when the sound stops, and the speaker turns off, but it's much less turning off than when it starts.

Nobody who viewed this thread has a G4 Play that can say yes or no? Can someone please check their phone before I return mine as defective. Just listen close to the speaker, and open an app that plays sound (IE: games), or open YouTube, and start a video. Does the speaker make a slight click sound right before any other sound? Like the speaker is turning on before playing the sound/music/audio? I would hate to return the phone, get a new one, and find out the new one does the same thing as it is normal for all G4 Play phones.

Thanks to all who help test their own for me. Great community this is.

Yes, mine does a faint click as well.

PavelBronco said:
Yes, mine does a faint click as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your input. Yeah, it's not really noticeable unless it's really quiet, or the phone is up close to my face. I have kind of bad OCD, and when I first heard it, it bothered me, but now I don't really notice at all. I guess it's just the way the speaker works.

It's normal, it needs to wake up the driver so it probably catches some noise from one of the electronic components related.

Said click can also be heard on Bluetooth. If I have my Moto Surround connected and no music playing, I'll hear a hiss every so often while browsing Twitter. Probably a software-side effect (like the aforementioned driver suspicion).

Nope.

[A2017G] Bottom speaker louder than top speaker

STILL NOT FIXED
I have rooted and unlocked my Axon 7 (A2017G) and edited the mixer_paths.xml file to make the audio output louder.
But there's a little problem (and I don't know if it's because of the mixer paths edit, I don't think so)
My top speaker sounds a lot more dull than my bottom speaker. My bottom speakers seem to be louder too.
How to check this? And are there more people experiencing this?
Thanks in advance.

Did not do anything to my A2017G, but I find that my top speaker is louder and "sparks" when near at full volume

nigelnkj said:
Did not do anything to my A2017G, but I find that my top speaker is louder and "sparks" when near at full volume
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some say it's dust, but I don't know how. I haven't called with this phone much.

Bump. It's everywhere. Even on LineageOS, bottom speaker is almost twice as loud :/ It can't be dust.

BUMP
This problem is getting on my nerves. The bottom speaker is twice as loud and crispy as the top speaker, which sounds dull.
Anyone else had this and possibly fixed it?

Two questions
Did you try to reset your phone and test the speakers again?
Is there the same problem on YouTube and mp3 music files?

SilentEYE said:
Two questions
Did you try to reset your phone and test the speakers again?
Is there the same problem on YouTube and mp3 music files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes I switched between roms to test modems and other stuff for ZTE.
2. Ofcourse. It's obviously the same on every output.
I guess it's just a hardware fault, but I thought maybe someone would have fix (clean it or something?)

Then I would say that this is an hardware problem indeed.

Having the same issue here, thought that other ROM will provide the fix but still zilch. Rooting the phone only meant the void of guarantee so not really good move there either.
I read somewhere online that usually bottom speaker is the one to go out first and that global version has the speakers a lot different then American and Chinese version). Any other possible fixes before replacing it? And where to find the replacement too?
Update: it should be software related since the sound in earphones has the same problem - only inverted. Which means there should be a tweak in binary or something?

I'm willing to pay to whoever makes this problem disappear. I'm beyond the point of helplessness here...

Fixed!
Fixed the issue finally! ??
Go to:
- settings
- advanced settings
- accessibility
- mono speaker output.
For the last trick to work, just try to disable it, then enable it and restart the device. Disable it again when device rebooted. Worked as a charm for me! So I'll be saving me some money ???

oFFgotoFF said:
Fixed the issue finally!
Go to:
- settings
- advanced settings
- accessibility
- mono speaker output.
For the last trick to work, just try to disable it, then enable it and restart the device. Disable it again when device rebooted. Worked as a charm for me! So I'll be saving me some money
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Omg! This problem was bugging me since day 1, but could not find any solution to this... But I've tried what you said and it works wonders! Can't believe I can now finally listen to music the way it was intented, since having a speaker with lower volume on a stereo setup is very annoying. Thank you very much for sharing the solution with us!

Andrew-X said:
Omg! This problem was bugging me since day 1, but could not find any solution to this... But I've tried what you said and it works wonders! Can't believe I can now finally listen to music the way it was intented, since having a speaker with lower volume on a stereo setup is very annoying. Thank you very much for sharing the solution with us!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome buddy, I can imagine your happiness and that smile is thanks enough. Cheers.

earpiece extremely quiet

Hi all,
Have always got bits of grime in my earpiece as I'm sure everyone has at some point.
I usually just clear it out but this time it's remained really quiet, any tricks for clearing it besides ripping it apart ? First phone I've had where this has happened.
Used a toothbrush
Compressed air
Bluetac (push then lift)
Anything else ?

I'm having problems with sound balance... Sometime right/left one sounds low.. when replug 2-3 times it's fine...

dksasuke said:
I'm having problems with sound balance... Sometime right/left one sounds low.. when replug 2-3 times it's fine...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't mention and it's off topic but did you cleaned your headphone socked and used another headphones/cables? Sounds more like grime or hardware failure of your headset/cable.

I tried different headphone but the problem remains... I don't think it's hardware issue as sometime right side gets unbalanced sometimes left side... Let's see if anyone else facing same issue

All of the above are off topic I'm not referring to the headphones.
Not only that but I know it's hardware now..
Mod please can this thread be closed, I have another with relevant info in it.
Cheers.

dladz said:
All of the above are off topic I'm not referring to the headphones.
Not only that but I know it's hardware now..
Mod please can this thread be closed, I have another with relevant info in it.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thread closed per your request.
Cheers,
Magnum_Enforcer
FSM