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My Windows 10 Alienware laptop is filtering out any sound that isn't "voice-like" when recording on any microphone. I'm confident that this is some sort of noise-blocking enhancement feature that helps on video conferencing calls but I need to figure out how to turn it off for recording guitar.

The filter seems to affect any type of non-voice sounds, whether its guitar (direct via amp or just ambient room noise) or even just whistling. I have tried using the built-in microphone, an external USB microphone, and even my guitar amp's USB connection (which appears to Windows as a 'microphone'), and all are equally affected.

I've tried recording using the windows sound recorder, Audacity, and also CakeWalk with similar effects.

I can't seem to find the relevant setting anywhere, and I'm not sure if its a special application that's installed that's doing the filtering or if there's a hidden Windows 10 setting somewhere.

On another Dell laptop (different hardware), also running Windows 10, I can record any music just fine.

Here are the microphone properties:

microphone properties

Here are the sound devices in the Device Manager:

Device manager sound devices

Note: Bluetooth headset name containing personal information has been obscured.

I have tried disabling all the "Intel smart sound" devices and they seemed to have no effect.

I tried installing the "Realtek audio console" program, but there are no settings for recording, except for audio volume (screenshot shown below).

Realtek audio console

Update: I can confirm that by running a Windows 10 virtual machine (via VMWare Workstation Pro) and passing through my USB mic, that the filtering issue is not present in the VM. This seems to confirm the issue is with software or drivers and not a mic or other hardware problem.

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    A friend of mine had a similar problem - was digging for hours in various control panel settings, ended up reinstalling windows, and it didn't help. Finally, he found that it was so simple; The setting here: Windows settings app > System > Sound > [Select your device under "Input"] > Audio enhancements > [select "Off"]. I guess you already looked here, but just in case.
    – J13C
    Commented Jan 13 at 7:34
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    What happens if you use the microphone from within a VM ? Also, uninstalling and reinstalling sound drivers could help.
    – 1NN
    Commented Jan 18 at 22:24
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    @1NN Wow, what a great idea. I fired up a win10 VM in VMWare Pro and it works! I suppose this confirms its definitely a software issue. I did try reinstalling sound drivers previously, which resulted in no change.
    – KyleL
    Commented Jan 19 at 13:41
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    @gregg You found it! Everything works great if I open that app and turn off AI noise reduction. If you want to write up an answer I'll gladly choose it.
    – KyleL
    Commented Jan 19 at 23:21
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    Hooray! I've added a lame answer for the moment as I'm currently busy. I'll edit it in the future to elaborate
    – gregg
    Commented Jan 20 at 4:15

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
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+50

Intel Smart (or IntelliGo) app likely controls the microphone for this chipset (ADL-P PCH [CPU=i7-12700H]) or audio controller (Realtek ALC3254) in your Alienware m15 R7. I'll edit and expand on this answer in the future. Likely from previous comments (like this one) on the original answer.

It would be good if OP to screenshot which app & setting fixed their issue to help future people who stumble across this page with the same issue.

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  • Here is the IntelliGo Neptune app which finally allowed me to turn off the noise reduction: i.imgur.com/TTqazTw.png
    – KyleL
    Commented Jan 20 at 15:42
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Your problem might be Audio Ducking.

This is a dynamic audio processing technique that enables the automatic adjustment of audio levels between different audio sources on Windows.

The article What is Audio Ducking and How to Do It in Music Production has this definition:

Audio ducking is simply the process of compressing (or “ducking down”) the volume of an audio signal whenever another audio signal goes above a certain threshold. When used gently, this technique allows you to get more clarity from both audio signals.

To disable it in Windows :

  • Run Control Panel > Sound

  • Position to the Communications tab

    enter image description here

  • Select the preferred option, which is perhaps "Do nothing"

  • Click OK.

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  • Thank you for the answer, but unfortunately it was already set to "do nothing".
    – KyleL
    Commented Jan 14 at 2:01
  • Do you mean that you wish to record both the microphone and the speaker? A solution like this?
    – harrymc
    Commented Jan 14 at 9:52
  • no just the microphone. I'm not having the computer produce any sounds at the same time, just attempting to record.
    – KyleL
    Commented Jan 14 at 13:31
  • Which app is used for recording ?
    – harrymc
    Commented Jan 14 at 13:48
  • I have tried audacity, windows voice recorder, and cakewalk. Is there another one I should try instead?
    – KyleL
    Commented Jan 14 at 14:49
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Not sure it works but it's too long for a comment:

  • Open "Alienware Command Center"
  • "Fusion" tab
  • "Sound Settings"(click on loudspeaker)
  • In the "Audio Profiles" Section, either choose the appropriate profile, or create a new profile and disable all effects.
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  • Unfortunately, my alienware command center doesn't seem to have that option under the Fusion tab. i.imgur.com/e7gOQyN.png
    – KyleL
    Commented Jan 14 at 2:04
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    After clicking Fusion tab, on left side under power cord is a button where it looks like two half circles (Dolby Atmos logo), click that. Look for voice, microphone, or equalizer
    – gregg
    Commented Jan 18 at 2:54
  • youtu.be/YAXeKXqlHaI&t=17m42s dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/…
    – gregg
    Commented Jan 18 at 3:00
  • @KyleL chck out greggs comments here above
    – 1NN
    Commented Jan 18 at 8:15
  • @gregg My alienware command center is missing the audio section, unfortunately. Not sure if they removed it since 2021, or if my laptop doesn't support it
    – KyleL
    Commented Jan 18 at 20:18
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Since it sounds like a very good noise-cancellation technology, on a gaming laptop - It sounds like it's Nvidia's.

I'd check if "Nvidia Broadcast App" or "Nvidia RTX Voice" are installed on said computer. If so, open them, and disable the noise-cancellation feature.

Edit: If said apps aren't present on the device, could you share a screenshot of appwiz.cpl, for us to see a list of installed applications?

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  • I don't seem to have those apps, or at least don't see them installed. Here is the my full list as requested: i.imgur.com/h1wqd12.png
    – KyleL
    Commented Jan 14 at 2:09
  • After seeing your post, I looked further into these apps. It appears they create a virtual microphone device that you have to select to get their filtering effects. Definitely a cool feature, but not something I was using.
    – KyleL
    Commented Jan 14 at 4:01

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