Setup instructions for the SP-USB-MIC-MODEL-7 and SP-USB-MIC-MODEL-11 USB microphones

Before plugging in this device for the first time (and anytime you switch to a different computer), you must install the driver program. Please click here to download and run the driver installation program for this product. When it finishes, please restart your computer.

1 - Plug a pair of headphones into the computer's headphone jack (Important! Do not perform step 4 below until you either have headphones plugged in). On your Taskbar (along the bottom of your screen), look for your speaker icon (that you would normally click to adjust your audio volume). Right-click on the speaker icon and select "Sounds". When the Sound window opens, click on the "Playback" tab. Find your computers soundcard in the list (it may be called Realtek, Connexant, or something other than "Andrea"). Right click on this soundcard and select "set as default device". It will now have the check mark next to it.

2 - Click on the "Recording" tab. You will see a soundcard listed with the word "Andrea" in the description. Double-left-click on the word "Andrea". Click on the "Listen" tab. Put a check in the box labeled "Listen to this device". Click on the "Levels" tab. Raise the level control to 100. Click OK. Note: the "Listen to this device" check box turns on the live monitoring so that you can hear what your USB microphone is picking up into your headphones. The audio from the microphone is RECORDED regardless of the setting on the "Listen" box.

3 - Click on the "Microphone enhancements" tab. Change the selections as needed so that Noise Cancellation is the only box checked. Lower the microphone boost to +5dB (for now). Click OK to close the sound box.

4 - You can enjoy real-time monitoring with no latency by plugging your headphones into the headphone jack on the microphone, instead of the computer. First, mute your computer speakers. Next, unplug your headphones from the computer and plug them into the headphone jack on the microphone. On your Taskbar (along the bottom of your screen), look for your speaker icon (that you would normally click to adjust your audio volume). Right-click on the speaker icon and select "Sounds". When the Sound window opens, click on the "Playback" tab. Look for the item with the word "Andrea" in the description. Double-click on the "Andrea" device and the "Speaker Properties" window will open. Click the "Levels" tab. You should see two level controls. Bring both level controls up to maximum (100) and unmute the microphone. Click OK and then click on the "Recording" tab. Double left-click on the "Andrea" device. Click on the "Listen" tab. Un-check "Listen to this device". Click OK. Click OK again to close the "Sound" window.

This completes the standard driver installation and microphone setup

In your software, you will need to set the audio parameters. The terminology may vary somewhat, depending on the software you are using. These are the optimum audio settings for high quality audio:

Audio Input Device (or recording device): Andrea USB Audio Device
File Format: PCM (or WAVE)
Sample Rate: 22,050Hz (or 22.050kHz)
Bit rate: 16
Number of channels: 1 (mono)

Note: The most important part of getting a good recording with any microphone is to get the proper recording level. Most software has a recording level meter visible when you are recording. Make sure that the microphone boost noted in step 5 above is adjusted so that you see the recording level bouncing back and forth when people are talking. If the level meter hardly shows at all, you need to raise the mic boost. If the levels are so high that you see the red lines (in Case Catalyst) or squared-off waveforms (in Eclipse), then lower the mic boost.

Important:

1 - Always plug in your USB microphone before opening your audio recording software. If you unplug the USB device at any time, you will need to restart the software for the USB device to be recognized.

2 - When you setup a USB microphone or soundcard, the settings are retained for that USB port only. Any port that you want to use must be set up the first time you use it.

Troubleshooting

If you are not getting a strong recording level, the microphone enhancements are not visible or the live monitoring is not working, then Windows did not install the driver correctly. Please contact us for assistance