Solution for static in making a Skype call with a USB headset
Here's a solution that may help others who find that their mics have curious static when calling folks on Skype. The problem really was limited JUST to skype, which is odd, and the solution was simple but not necessarily one that people would think of, so I wanted to share the tale, with just 3 paragraphs to lead up to the solution.
I was having a terrible problem (curiously, out of the blue) when trying to make a Skype call (Skype Out) with a USB headset I'd long had. The party I called would hear terribly loud static or buzz, unable to hear me at all. I tried the skype test call, and sure enough, I heard it on the recording too.
The strange thing was that the same headset was recording fine in all other programs (Windows Sound Recorder, Camtasia, Adobe Connect). It was only Skype that had the issue. Yet the Skype options for audio were all fine (pointed at the right device), and changing them (to automatically adjust) had no effect.
I then noticed (in the Skype Audio settings) that regardless of what I set for the mic it showed the green audio volume indicator as pegged to the right. OK, so somehow it was way over-amplified. Again, though, it was working fine in all other apps. I checked and was a couple minor point releases behind on Skype so did the update (to 4.1.0.179), to no avail. I also checked the Windows driver setting for the device and it reported that it had the latest version.
I finally punted and just pulled the USB connection from a 4-port (non-powered) splitter I have, and connected the headset directly to my laptop (in another free USB port). Sure enough, the problem was solved. I then connected it back to the splitter, in another socket, and again it worked fine. I suppose I could have connected it back to the original socket, but I was happy just to have solved it, and to have learned that sometimes it can be the little (unobvious) things that make a difference. Something to remember when trying to solve any IT problem. Hope it helps someone. That's why I call the blog TIPicalCharlie. :-) Maybe someone will find it months or years from now doing a google search. Drop me a comment if it helps you.