If you need to switch one of the microphones on your computer, it's easy to do in Windows 8.
Step 1: The speaker icon can be found in the taskbar.
On the right side of the task bar is where the time and date are displayed.
Step 2: Click on the icon.
The menu will say things like: Playback devices, Recording devices and Sounds.
Step 3: From the menu, choose "Recording devices".
There is a pop-up on your desktop that says "Sound."Click here to continue.
Step 4: Go to the upper-right side of the screen.
There is a drop-down menu that says things like "Start" and "Search."
Step 5: From the menu, select "setting".
Control Panel, PC info, and Help are some of the things on the side menu.
Step 6: From the list, choose "Control Panel".
The Control Panel pop-up can be found on your desktop.
Step 7: You can click on Hardware and Sound.
The pop-up should be on the left side.
Step 8: You can manage audio devices.
Under the "Sound" section is where it can be found.You will get a pop-up that says "Sound" if you click on that.Click here to continue.
Step 9: The start menu needs to be brought up.
The "Start" icon can be found on the lower- left side of the task bar.The "Start" button is located on the bottom left of your keyboard.It appears to be a white window.
Step 10: Start typing in the phone.
The results will include one that says "setting".
Step 11: You can change the settings from the search results.
You will be taken to a new screen.
Step 12: From the list, select "manage audio devices".
There is a new pop-up on your computer.Click here if you want to continue.
Step 13: The "Recording" tab needs to be open.
"Recording," "Sounds," and "Communications" will be tabs along the top of the Sounds pop-up.
Step 14: Find the microphone that you want to use.
You can have one microphone or several.Make sure that the microphone you want to use is plugged in, and that it's in the correct jack sockets, if the list doesn't show it.An icon of a microphone should be next to the color of the sockets.If you have a microphone built into your computer, you can still use a higher-quality microphone.Make sure the "show disabled devices" is checked when you click one of the microphones.All of the microphones are available.
Step 15: Click on the microphone you want to use.
Step 16: You can change the microphone by setting it as the default device.
This is the active microphone."Set as default communication device" is a choice you can make.You won't be able to use the microphone to chat with other people in programs such as video games.Select "Set as default device" if you want to make recordings on your computer.
Step 17: Say something into your microphone.
You can either breathe or tap it.
Step 18: Green bars are rising.
The microphone picks up noise.More green bars make your talk louder.If the microphone you want to use doesn't show green bars, you need to change it.Make sure you set the microphone as your default.
Step 19: Click the microphone.
The "Microphone properties" pop-up will be brought up.
Step 20: The "Levels" tab should be selected.
"General," "Listen," and "Levels" are tabs along the top of the "Microphone properties" pop-up."Levels" needs to be selected.
Step 21: The microphone is on the right.
There are two different sliders: " Microphone" and "Microphone boost".Move the arrow to the right until the number 100 shows up in the box next to it.To return to the sound pop-up, click "Okay".
Step 22: Try to use the microphone again.
You should see green bars when you talk.Click "Okay" again to save your settings.