Common problems

No sound from the microphone

This is a common issue. There are a couple of things you should check.

• If the microphone has an 'on/off' switch make sure it is turned on.
• If the mic is turned on and you have no sound then you may need to check the microphones battery and replace it if necessary.
• Have you selected the 'microphone' audio input in Audacity?
• You may need to turn on or 'unmute' the microphone input in your computers sound preferences. Where the preferences are located depends on your operating system. 

Distortion in the audio

This might be caused by any number of reasons, here are a few possibilities:

• The connection between the microphone and the computer might be loose. Check it is a tight fit. Move the microphone plug a bit while recording to see if this is the issue. If it is you may need to replace the plug or, as a short term solution, use some tape to hold it in place.
• Your levels might be too high. Recheck your recording input level in Audacity.
• Your microphone might be damaged. Record more audio and speak directly into the mic. If the microphone is damaged you will possibly hear distortion in your recorded voice.
• It could be that your headphones or speakers are actually damaged and your recording is fine. To check this use something else to listen to the audio. The easiest thing to do is to find a set of headphones and plug them in.