Database Users

HW mic issue - need to record mono

This is an unusual request. Is there a way to make the camera app record video with mono audio?
I have an international i9505, rooted, but my s4 seems to be affected with some kind of mic defect that makes one of the audio channels present a lot of pops and cracking sounds. This seems to be a hardware issue that affects some s4,specially the first ones sold in Europe.
The best workaround I found so far is to record stereo and discard the audio from the defective channel afterwards, in a painful process that includes transferring the files to a pc for processing...
I found some 3rd party camera apps that have this option (mono audio ), like "camera jb+" and "snap camera hdr". I bought both, but they generate 15fps files that are much worse than the 30fps files from the s4 default camera app.
So.. What I am wondering is if I could somehow change the way the camera app records audio (maybe changing some xml,... I don't know).
Or... Maybe someone could point me some nice 3rd party app that could solve my issue.

Why not Update the whole firmware ? You may solve this issue
Sent from my PS3

smep said:
Why not Update the whole firmware ? You may solve this issue
Sent from my PS3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the latest stock firmware. Android 4.3, rom MKE.

You may have to check the mic connector .... maybe you drop the phone and the connector got loose
Sent from dish washer

I won't open the phone for that. I think it would give me more problems than benefits.
Besides, the issue is shared by a lot of people and seems to be a hw factory defect. I gave up a long time ago trying to fix it.
See here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2317900
What I want now is a good workaround. Maybe a camera mod that allows me to record mono...
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

Hissing Sound Recording Video

when recording video i get the awful hissing sound
steps i tried
reflashing
turning off sound zoom
turning on airplane mode to disable radio
anyone else?
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I wouldn't even try to guess until you provide a reasonable amount of information about your situation. How do you expect us to narrow anything down without any clues?
Where is a sample video clip or even a decent description of the hiss? Tell us under what conditions this occurs, e.g. only on quiet environments, randomly, always, etc. Does it change when you change video quality settings, internal, external mike? What model phone, firmware version and anything else that appears even remotely relevant.
.

oki. ill upload a sample. it occurs under all circumstances, phone is pure stock so camera app and all is out of the box
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

the video and hissing (turn volume up)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/brxys1ka3u86l56/20140819_095825.mp4
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

screened
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

?
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

That seems to be a musical selection.. so how to tell what is part of the unknown music track and what is hiss? Better would have been recording the quietest environment you could find. Or if the hiss only shows up when recording something, then play a recorded music track. And provide both the phone recording and the original music track so that it can be, more or less, subtracted or distinguished from the hiss.
It would help if the track didn't have interfering music or if you tried recording in quiet, moderate, loud environments, impulse sounds, etc with comments on whether the hiss varies under various conditions. At a guess it's the aggressive ALC (auto level control) when you record with the internal (?) mike. So when there is a quiet part in the music, the ALC cranks up the gain and the noise from the phone circuit becomes more apparent. On that theory it would be good to know if using an external mike alleviates the problem or not.
If it is an ALC problem.. there isn't much that you can do about it.. other than consider using an external mike.. not recording in quiet locations, which could be difficult.. or hope that someone disassembles and tames the ALC.
.

I have the same problem. Even returned my phone to the service and they did smth to the mic, maybe even replaced it. But my problem is still there. Search for check out 'hissing 001' video on youtube, i have uploaded a sampleml. they said they tried recording videos with two other samsung fives, and they all had hissing problems. But i just cant accept that a quality phone like thos has an amateur error like this... for others, sound recording sounds just fine. What can I do?

I'm having the same problem. Not sure when it started but now the hissing sound happens most of the time when I recorded videos. Recording voice through an app doesn't create any hissing sound. Anyone can provide anything we can try? TIA.

kan555 said:
I'm having the same problem. Not sure when it started but now the hissing sound happens most of the time when I recorded videos. Recording voice through an app doesn't create any hissing sound. Anyone can provide anything we can try? TIA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got my device back from service, and I have to say they did something to it, because now the mic works PERFECT, without hissing whatsoever.
IT could be sw related problem, but i strongly believe they gave me a brand new mic.
good luck!

darkerr9 said:
I just got my device back from service, and I have to say they did something to it, because now the mic works PERFECT, without hissing whatsoever.
IT could be sw related problem, but i strongly believe they gave me a brand new mic.
good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the update Darkerr9. I'm tempted to replace the mic by myself but not so confident I can handle it. Watched how to do it on youtube and will cost me around $25 for the parts. I still think it's software related issue since when recording just voice, it works perfectly. No white noise or anything. ... hmmm.. what to do..?

kan555 said:
Thanks for the update Darkerr9. I'm tempted to replace the mic by myself but not so confident I can handle it. Watched how to do it on youtube and will cost me around $25 for the parts. I still think it's software related issue since when recording just voice, it works perfectly. No white noise or anything. ... hmmm.. what to do..?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I see. Well I still had my warranty so they did it for free. And remember, the 1st time they (another service) tried to fix this, they failed to do so. I guess I got lucky now... voice recording quality is poorer, so that doesnt count imo btw if you use your headset mic, you will see (hear) that the problem is fixed..

Hi everyone. I have the same problem and it's very frustrating. I don't have a solution BUT I know the reason why it's hissing . It's not the microphone! When I record only audio with both microphones it's all OK. The problem occurs when front cam is on! When my girlfriend close up the phone to her ear she heard that awful sound (hissing). So the camera make that noise. Top mic is very close to the cam so mic gets that noise. Try to hear very closely to the cam and check if you have the same noise from cam.

[Q] Disable 2nd mic (noise cancellation)

Hi, when im trying to send some voice notes over Whatsapp it sounds terrible, I know that this is a common issue with the G2 so i'm trying to disable the 2nd mic to see what happen. I'm using Cloudy g3 2.0, but as far as I tried others it's not a Rom problem.
When I record using the built in record app everything is good, sounds clear, I tried using another apps that let me choose wich Mic to use (top mic or bottom mic) and it sounds good. I found in XDA some trick (here) editing the Build.prop but i think that thats only for Samsung.
It says that i have to edit from "media.a1026.enableA1026=1" to "media.a1026.enableA1026=0". but my lg g2 doesn't have that options.
Can someone help me out?
thanks!

Anyway to disable the second MIC for Whatsapp?

[MM] Audio issues while filming Video, tons of noise and super loud audio

Hey guys,
Whenever I film a video, either on Motorola's Camera App or on Google's, the audio is REALLY LOUD and it won't cancel/filter any noise.
In other words, the audio in the video sucks.
Also, whenever I record my voice on whatsapp, the audio is REALLY L OUD and has a ton of noise.
Why is this?
I am rooted on MM using systemless root... does this have anything to do with it?
What can I do?
Please help me, this really sux balls! :/
EDIT: Sample video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO7MZdQuZPw&feature=em-upload_owner-smbtn

leandroqm said:
Hey guys,
Whenever I film a video, either on Motorola's Camera App or on Google's, the audio is REALLY LOUD and it won't cancel/filter any noise.
In other words, the audio in the video sucks.
Also, whenever I record my voice on whatsapp, the audio is REALLY L OUD and has a ton of noise.
Why is this?
I am rooted on MM using systemless root... does this have anything to do with it?
What can I do?
Please help me, this really sux balls! :/
EDIT: Sample video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO7MZdQuZPw&feature=em-upload_owner-smbtn
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just started noticing this and its driving me nuts.
I just factory restored with factory image, since i was rooted and issue continues to happen.
Not sure what could be causing it.
I notice it on snapchat a lot more. Sounds like one of those old school movie reels spinning.
can really notice it on quit environment, gets on my nerves.

cangri87 said:
I just started noticing this and its driving me nuts.
I just factory restored with factory image, since i was rooted and issue continues to happen.
Not sure what could be causing it.
I notice it on snapchat a lot more. Sounds like one of those old school movie reels spinning.
can really notice it on quit environment, gets on my nerves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it like this on every device? I got my Pure two days ago, and the recording noise is really a dealbreaker for me. It's really loud on snapchat, which I use a lot. Should I ask for a replacement or just return it and buy a Nexus 6P?

Volume level of actual sound appears normal - that is, spoken voices, or other sounds.
So it appears somehow lots of white noise is getting amplified into the recording.
Hmm.. Appears to be a known issue - https://www.reddit.com/r/MotoX/comments/3ulqdt/noise_while_recording_video_2015_moto_x_pure/

gpz1100 said:
Volume level of actual sound appears normal - that is, spoken voices, or other sounds.
So it appears somehow lots of white noise is getting amplified into the recording.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you think it's a software or hardware issue? I'm considering returning my device, but it would be useless if it's a software issue. And if it is, maybe motorola are aware of it already?... I'm not really sure what to do lol, because I do love this phone.

Hard to say. Chances are it's possible to somehow disable the noise canceling in this phone. I don't record enough videos for it to matter. I suppose when there is actual sound, it will overcome the white noise anyway.

I have a slight background noise and all audio no matter what app I record through (camera, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook) is very low. I can't use speakerphone either because people on the other end can't hear me. Hopefully some sort of fix comes up. I feel it's more software than hardware. Never had the issue before marshmallow.

Try Open Camera, and then tap the Settings icon (upper right)
In Video settings, choose Audio source and pick 'Default audio source'.
See if that helps for videos. I don't use snapchat so I don't know how to fix that sorry.

MasterThiefGarrett said:
Try Open Camera, and then tap the Settings icon (upper right)
In Video settings, choose Audio source and pick 'Default audio source'.
See if that helps for videos. I don't use snapchat so I don't know how to fix that sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't find it!! And did it solve the problem?

[GUIDE] Fix front speaker distortion in Pixel 2 XL (no root)

Hello my friends!!
I actually found a way to fix front speaker distortion without root.
1) Disable Google's MusixFx App (com.android.musicfx)
2) Install an equalizer app (In my case i used Equalizer FX. Pro Free version)
3) Open the app (if you haven't disabled yet Google's MusicFx app, it will told you to do so)
4) Depending on how is affected your speaker because the bad mounting (Google's fault) you will have to play lowering the frequencies. In my case I only needed to lower 910Hz to -7db
5) No more distortion!!!....
The only down side it's that you will get a less louder speaker, but 100% enjoyable sound!
I had to return 4 devices until I decided to find a way to "fix it" without rooting... I think Google was already trying to fix it because MusicFX app was updated in latest February update. Let's see if they officially release a fix. I think I will ask for RMA again anyway...

I will try this! My RMA has the same distortion, especially during a video call. I was debating doing another RMA, but the screen seems good so I am not so pressed to do so. Thanks for the info!

ridenickel9 said:
I will try this! My RMA has the same distortion, especially during a video call. I was debating doing another RMA, but the screen seems good so I am not so pressed to do so. Thanks for the info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello!!... It works... But sometimes the equalizer stops working and I have to uninstall and install again... Maybe someone could find a better Equalizer app.
I did also wrote Google about this... They told me to wait and to be patient ... Because they are working "day by day" to solve this issue... That I will receive a notification when the fix is ready... Let's see... If not I will have to do RMA again...

RealCaracas said:
Hello!!... It works... But sometimes the equalizer stops working and I have to uninstall and install again... Maybe someone could find a better Equalizer app.
I did also wrote Google about this... They told me to wait and to be patient ... Because they are working "day by day" to solve this issue... That I will receive a notification when the fix is ready... Let's see... If not I will have to do RMA again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep me posted please! I'm in the same boat, I was debating contacting them, but now I won't as I know I'll get the same canned message. The USB C adapter quality sucks too, I use an AuX cable in my VW and man distortion, no sound, feedback at times unsure if you guys have any issues there too?

ridenickel9 said:
Keep me posted please! I'm in the same boat, I was debating contacting them, but now I won't as I know I'll get the same canned message. The USB C adapter quality sucks too, I use an AuX cable in my VW and man distortion, no sound, feedback at times unsure if you guys have any issues there too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used the USB C adapter with headphones without problem (for now at least)...
If I receive any message from Google I'll update this post.

This doesn't fix the distortion for calls on speakerphone. Any idea how to achieve that without root?

The only thing I'm doing to keep the distortion at bay is by pushing the speaker grills slightly every now and then with my nails. That seems to be working. Nonetheless, these speaker combination is still better than bottom speakers. I'm enjoying way more content than I used to with my OnePlus 3T. Myy wife's OnePlus 5T speakers are louder, but still this one experiences better for me. I hope Google made them right !! But what can we do, they took a greedy mofo for CEO.

RealCaracas said:
Hello my friends!!
I actually found a way to fix front speaker distortion without root.
1) Disable Google's MusixFx App (com.android.musicfx)
2) Install an equalizer app (In my case i used Equalizer FX. Pro Free version)
3) Open the app (if you haven't disabled yet Google's MusicFx app, it will told you to do so)
4) Depending on how is affected your speaker because the bad mounting (Google's fault) you will have to play lowering the frequencies. In my case I only needed to lower 910Hz to -7db
5) No more distortion!!!....
The only down side it's that you will get a less louder speaker, but 100% enjoyable sound!
I had to return 4 devices until I decided to find a way to "fix it" without rooting... I think Google was already trying to fix it because MusicFX app was updated in latest February update. Let's see if they officially release a fix. I think I will ask for RMA again anyway...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the solution please dude try to share it with others that they dont know how to fix it. thanks

works for pixel 3 as well
Thanks for the solution. It works for pixel 3 as well!

the best post I've seen, I had not noticed until I made the change although I notice it even if I disable the google one thanksss (You can also increase the volume from the same application and the result is maintained)

The difference in audio quality is really noticeable.. But doesn't seem to work on apps like youtube (Vanced)... Does this only work for dedicated music apps? Works flawlessly on Spotify but would love it to work at least for YouTube...

RealCaracas said:
Hello my friends!!
I actually found a way to fix front speaker distortion without root.
1) Disable Google's MusixFx App (com.android.musicfx)
2) Install an equalizer app (In my case i used Equalizer FX. Pro Free version)
3) Open the app (if you haven't disabled yet Google's MusicFx app, it will told you to do so)
4) Depending on how is affected your speaker because the bad mounting (Google's fault) you will have to play lowering the frequencies. In my case I only needed to lower 910Hz to -7db
5) No more distortion!!!....
The only down side it's that you will get a less louder speaker, but 100% enjoyable sound!
I had to return 4 devices until I decided to find a way to "fix it" without rooting... I think Google was already trying to fix it because MusicFX app was updated in latest February update. Let's see if they officially release a fix. I think I will ask for RMA again anyway...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I disable the app? It's not in the settings menu.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app

zombolt said:
How do I disable the app? It's not in the settings menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to settings, search for MusicFX. The app will come up. Click on it and select disable.

My sound quality dropped massively from one day to the next. Does anyone know if this has been an issue on the 3XL lately?
I wanted to try this did but I couldn't find the MusicFX app.