Online Mic Test – Record and Listen to Your Mic | Restream (2024)

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Check your microphone cable and connection

Check that your microphone cable isn’t damaged or interrupted. Sometimes cables can be defective or wear out with use. Also, check that the cable is fully inserted into your computer’s audio jack.

Select the correct input device

Go to your computer’s sound and audio preferences and look for your input devices. Ensure you’ve selected the correct input device — for example, “Internal Microphone - Built-in.”

Ensure the mic isn’t being used by another application

If your mic is already being used by another application, it might prevent you from using our mic test successfully. If you aren’t sure if other applications are currently using your mic, restart your computer and any apps will stop using your mic.

Enable your mic in your computer’s settings and browser

You might have your mic disabled in your computer’s audio settings, especially if you have more than one audio input device connected to your computer. Also, check that your browser has access to your microphone as well — you can’t do our mic test without it.

Check the mic input volume

If the volume is too low, you can check your sound preferences. There should be an input volume slider that lets you control the input volume and how sensitive the mic is to sound.

Update your driver

External microphones often need a driver or software in order to be used with your computer. Check that your mic’s driver is up to date and still compatible with your system. Also, try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver.

Whether you often do video calls, record videos, or broadcast live streams, you need a microphone that works properly. Poor sound quality and technical audio problems can ruin your call, video or live stream.

Our free mic test lets you easily get a reading on your microphone's quality and solve potential problems.

No sign-up required — we respect your privacy

No need to sign up or download anything — just click the Start Test button above to check your mic in real time by watching the visual movement, then download the playback to listen for quality issues. Our microphone test is completely private — we can't record or save it and only you will be able to see it.

Go beyond the mic test and start recording

Once your mic test is done, you can begin recording with the help of our browser-based live streaming software,Restream Studio.

It has a record-only function that allows you to create video and audio recordings with all the featuresRestream Studio has to offer, such as royalty-free music, echo cancellation, noise suppression, high-resolution audio, and much more! Invite guests to collaborate on an audio recording with you, and download your audio recordings as split-track MP3 files.

Distance yourself

Don’t put your mouth directly in front of your mic for the test. If you’re too close, the mic will pick up and amplify the puffs of air you breathe out on certain words, and it won’t sound good.

If you’re too far away, your voice will be faint. The ideal distance varies based on what type of mic you have, but a good rule of thumb is placing it a little more than a hand’s length away from your mouth.

With our mic test, you can do as many recordings as you want, so try several tests where you place your mouth at different distances from the mic and see which sounds best.

Reduce background noise

Turn on the “ambient noise reduction” settings on your computer or other devices as they can affect your microphone test. Also, try to do the test in a room with rugs, furniture, curtains, etc. to help absorb sound and reduce echo.

Listen with headphones

Wear headphones when you’re doing the mic test if you want to hear yourself clearly. Doing the mic test playback over speakers could cause unpleasant microphone feedback.

Planning to upgrade your mic? Read our guide on the 10 best microphones.

Frequently Asked Questions