PowerSpeak Microphone Setup Instructions
Below are the instructions for making sure that your microphone is properly installed so you can
access it when recording your audio assessments.
NOTE – You may have to use Internet Explorer to record!
For USB Microphone/Headset Combination:

Plug in USB to computer
Windows will detect headset -
Right click on speaker icon on bottom right hand corner -
Choose “Recording Devices” -
- You should have a green check for headset
Right Click on Headset -
- Choose PROPERTIES
Click on the “Levels” Tab – adjust microphone to 100
Click on the “Playback” tab -
- disable speakers so only headset is active
Once you enter your PowerSpeak course, and enter a microphone lesson, you will need to click ALLOW in order to
use the microphone:
For Windows Vista:
Click on the start menu
Click on control panel
Click on sounds and audio devices
Click on the “audio” tab
Click on sound recording and click on volume
Move the volume bar to the highest level
Check that the “mute” box is not checked
Go to the advanced tab
Check again that the “mute” box is not checked
Click OK and close
Plug the microphone in
Go to the audio assessment
Click on “Allow” in the Adobe Flash Player Settings window
Click on the “R” and hold it throughout the recording
Begin recording
Once you finish, check to make sure there is a check mark next to “response recorded”
Click next
Click submit
For Windows 7:
Click on the start menu
Click on control panel
Click on Hardware and Sound
Under Sound, click on Manage audio devices
Click on the Recording tab. If you microphone is registering correctly on your computer, you will see a green
checkmark next to the microphone on the list of recording devices.
Click on your microphone in the list of recording devices
Click on Configure
Click Set up Microphone
Select which type of microphone you are using and follow the prompts to set up and test your microphone
If you have trouble recording with your microphone/headset, here as some suggestions:
Update your Adobe Flashplayer
Be sure that your microphone/headset is plugged in. Check the Control Panel under audio or recording devices to
make sure that the device is showing up there.
Be sure that your microphone is not muted
Right click on the record box and select Settings. Click on the microphone icon and be sure that the same
microphone registering in the Control Panel is also selected here.
Try using another web browser. Mozilla Firefox tends to work the best. But if you are using a Mac then you may want
to try Safari for anything that requires audio.
Recording Instructions
Checking your microphone and sound recorder
1st – be sure to check you Flash player to make sure you have the most recent flash software
2nd – be sure that your microphone is plugged into the microphone port on your computer and not the
headphone input. If you are using a USB microphone, try using another USB port.
Test Your Microphone or Headphones
1. Find the
Microsoft sound
recorder.
1. Look under
All Programs.
2. Find the
Sound
Recorder
under
Accessories.
Some Windows
computers it is under
Accessories, Sound
Recorder, and then
your screen will look
like the one to the far
right. Notice there is
no mic plugged in.
2. Make a test recording
and listen to it.
1. Click the button with
the red dot to record.
2. Click play button to
listen.
If test does not work, your
microphone is not working
or is not connected
properly.
3. Microphone Volume:
1. Make sure that mute is
not selected. Be sure to
adjust your volume
accordingly.