How to Boost Microphone Volume on PC or Mac

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This wikiHow teaches you how to increase your microphone's input volume to a higher level in your computer's settings, using Windows or Mac.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Windows

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    This button is located next to the date and time information in the lower-right corner of your desktop. A menu will pop up.
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    This will open a new window, and show a list of all the audio input hardware connected to your computer.
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    Find the microphone you're using on the list here, and click on it.
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    This button is in the lower-right corner of the Sound window. It will open your microphone's settings in a new window.
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    This button is between Listen and Advanced at the top of the window.
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    This will boost your microphone's input volume to a higher decibel level.
    • You can see the amount of boost you're adding in decibels (dB) to the right of the slider here.
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    This will save your new microphone settings, and close the microphone window.
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    This will save your new audio settings, and close the Sound window.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using Mac

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    This button looks like a black Apple icon in the upper-left corner of your screen. It will open a drop-down menu.
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    This will open your System Preferences in a new window.
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    This option looks like a speaker icon on the System Preferences menu. It will open your computer's audio settings.
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    This button is located next to Sound Effects and Output at the top of the Sound window.
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    You'll see a list of all the audio input devices connected to your computer here. Find the microphone you're using, and click on its name.
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    This will boost the selected microphone's audio input to a higher level of volume.
    • You can now speak to your microphone, and check the Input level indicator here in order to see if your microphone's input is boosted.
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