Microphone Amplification unusable small (Android client 16.0.0.35 on Sony ZX1 47.2.A.6.30) + New Audio

[nobody]

Recently someone told me, he can barely hear me, and I also experienced the same with someone else (this time I was on a standard phone).
I checked the microphone amplification, and it still was at 2. I had to adjust it to 8 until the remote party told me it was loud enough for easy listening. I dsiabled the "new audio", and set the amplification back to two, and the problem was gone.
It is a rather important thing the the other side is able to hear you, because, sometimes people wont tell you about, but they are getting nervous and angry on you without any apparent reason during the call because trying to hear and understand plus thinking about what to say next puts a lot of stress on them.
How can this be avoided in the future? I understand the new audio is an "experimental" feature, but it is an essential thing that people can hear you. You should be able to make 100% sure audio works without several test calls, regardless what update you recently had installed.

I suggest to add a manual microphone test to the Android app (like skype already and other similar programs have). Like an automated call to your mailbox, speak a sentence, then it will be played back.

 

[Vali_3CX]

I suggest to add a manual microphone test to the Android app (like skype already and other similar programs have). Like an automated call to your mailbox, speak a sentence, then it will be played back.

There is the PBX Echo Test service for this, try *777. Is not what you propose?

 

[nb]

I understand your concern..
This is purely phone related.
Yes on most phones gain of 2 is sufficient. On others you need to experiment to see what the optimum value is.

On the other hand, I think Ill make a check to see what happens if I increase this across the board. I think it will not harm if from 2 I move it up to 4.

 

[nobody]

the *777 ist just what is needed. Thank you!
Strange: I tried today what happens if I reverse the audio setting again to the new audio setting, and, the microphone level was still ok afterwards. Also I remember that I made a testcall using this option set to on at a previous date and, it was ok.
But I am also sure about what happend yesterday.
Could it be possible that the mirophone level will have different values depending on the used codec?

 

[nobody]

Another followup:
I tried the echo test, using the normal and the new audio. Sound the same. However, 4 is louder then 2, but 8 again is less louder then 4 (?).
I then tried *888 (callback test). Here, audio seems more silent, when using the new audio, also but I also hear hissing noises from transcoding problems.
What is the difference between *888 and *777
What about my theory the codec might have an influence on the microphone level?

 

[nb]

Leave it 4.. if 4 works - remember if 4 works well, it will work good for all the calls you make.
Actually I just opened a task so we will make it 4 across the board.

*777 or any callback service is not a good example to test GAIN because you will create distortion.

When you speak to a microphone, vibrations are converted to small voltage.
This is too small to do anything with it, so this signal needs to be amplified sometimes 1000 or greater.
Now, remember that we are dealing again with Android. Android microphones vary so some phones are noticed to work ok with a gain of 2. Others need more.

Also be careful that you do not fall into proximity sensor traps.
Yes you have prox sensor on mike. because the gain can be amplified or distorted if you are too close to a mic input. So you have other algorithms that can distort proper gain just because they are buggy.

Now also remember the “Goldilocks” principle rule of recording: Not to cold, not too hot… ahh, just right.

You set it too low, it does nothing or very little.
You set it too high, it will be worse

Leave it 4 and test with real calls. We are doing the same on all supported devices.

 

[nobody]

4 did not work well, because, the other party told me she could hardly understand me.
But I will try. Thank you.

 

[nb]

Call me with 4.. (Send me a welcome email) I will register my android, and call me with 4 let me see.
Send it to [email protected] attn nb
Lets make some tests together.
Also try and call someone else.
And always make these tests with enough battery (do not let the phone go in battery saving mode)

 

[nobody]

nb, Thank you, but currently I think this is not necessary, because ATM everything behaves nearly as expected. So, if we tried that now, everything will look ok. It even might not be related to the new audio features for android, it might be a bug which random appears, but will be reset after a restart of the program, which occurs when you change the audio options.