Your version of Skype might be doing a couple things with your audio that you don’t want it to. Here’s how to fix it.
To disable Skype’s auto gain control (AGC) for both Mac (5.6.0.143 and later) and PC versions, simply go into your Preferrences > Audio/Video and deselect the Automatic Microphone Control checkbox.
Disabling Skype’s echo cancellation mode is not as simple but also not that hard. You’ll need to find Skype’s system file on your computer and insert a simple piece of HTML code.
On a Mac browse to ~/Library/Application Support/Skype/shared.xml.
You’ll need to open this file in an HTML editor that can read the xml format, I recommend Komodo Edit (for Windows, Mac, Linux) as a free, open source solution.
Once you’ve opened the file in your HTML editor, scroll towards the bottom and simply insert the following code
<EC>0</EC>
This will disable Skype’s Echo Cancellation controls.
If you are running a version of Skype that doesn’t have the checkbox to disable the AGC you can also insert the following code to disable that:
<AGC>0</AGC>
Here’s what the code should look like if you have both of these lines inserted
Listen to Jason’s (the Creepercast podcast) feedback about how disabling these controls helped his podcast.
Hey Ray,
I just listened to your PQT about skype's AGC, and thought it'd be good to know that using the AGC hack will also help if your skype co-host or interview has his or her words cut off from lack of bandwidth. Especially when it comes to music. I was having a really hard time doing a live/recorded show with my co-host whenever we got to the news section, and I tried putting in the music bed under him. The AGC would kick in and try to bring up the music, which would then chop his words. So I resorted to starting the music, then when i faded it down, I also had to cut the mix-minus to him for the music so it wouldn't interfere. This was corrected when I hacked the AGC. Now I can have the music under him, and he can hear it, without chopping his words.
This also fixed us talking at the same time, and me cutting him off. I just make sure my mix-minus going to him is lower than his sound coming to me.
Love the podcast. Keep up the great work.
Jason
Stellar feedback and insight Jason!
Did you employ the Echo Cancellation code as well <EC>0</EC>?
I'm not sure if the EC does much to effect the audio but I included how to turn it off via code as well because you can.
I prefer as much control as possible and disabling auto features when possible.
Thoughts? Experiences?
I did add the echo cancellation code, but didn't notice a difference. My Heil PR-40 does so well at not picking up external noise, that I just did a really big interview with Barry Bostwick (Spin City, The Rocky Horror Picture Show) about a month back, and was so excited I forgot to turn off my computer speakers after I put the headphones on. When it was over, I panicked. Thinking I ruined the only chance to get this great interview. Thankfully the speakers must not have been up enough for the mic to pick them up, so it worked out.
I say that because we may not notice a difference because of the mics we're using. Even my co-host didn't notice any echo. But that's with the PR-40. Things may have been different if I had used a condenser mic that picks up everything in the room.
It is possible that the turning off the Echo Cancellation is what fixed the chopped voice, as much as the gain control. I don't know for sure because I turned them both off. Other than that possibility, it doesn't seem turing off the EC actually affects anything.
On another note. I use a G-5 for my skype computer, and since turning off the AGC I do have to remember to turn up the "Line In" on the computer every time I restart it. For some reason it resets the slider all the way down after shutting down.
Jason
I ‘m running the latest version of Skype on Windows XP.
Do you know how to disable the noise cancelling feature?
Thanks
– Paul
I'm not sure for Windows but take a look at this thread and see if it helps?
http://devforum.skype.com/t5/Audio-Video/AEC-issu…
Thanks Paul!
I found the XML file to edit in a slightly different location: ~/Library/Application Support/Skype/shared.xml
That little ~ at the beginning makes all the difference. You can get to that folder in the Finder by typing Command-Shift-G and typing in ~/Library/Application Support/Skype
Thanks Bruce. I edited the post to reflect the structure you listed here.
For Windows 7 (May help the XP user), the file is located at C:/Users/Username/AppData/Roaming/Skype/shared.xml
Hi, I just found you while searching for podcast help, and I was wondering where to find the file in Windows 7….?
Hi Mark, I haven\’t tried it on a Windows but I know it\’s not as easy and may not work. Try finding it here: C:\\Users\\YOUR USERNAME HERE\\AppData\\Roaming\\Skype\\shared.xml
And read this forum thread which may indicate that it doesn\’t work http://community.skype.com/t5/Windows-desktop-cli…
Thanks for checking out the site!
Is there a way to add custom filters? For example, barking dog, crying baby, etc?
I cringe on Skype calls when participants make them sound like a daycare or dog kennel. It does not come across as professional. And I have seriously considered firing a contractor because he refuses to control his dog or realize it is a problem. We have Skype Business do would be even better if the audio was corrected for all participants even if they call in on a land line.
You’d have to bring in any SFX via a mixer or some other device piped into Skype. There are not native filters.