Sound recorded by webcam microphone is distorted in 16.04

Sound, as recorded by Audio Recorder or Skype, is distorted when played back with RythmBox or Skype (sounds like a cartoon character). Microphone is a webcam (video is fine), and works perfectly with Windows. In Settings, audio input is set to "Microphone, Webcam C200" unmuted, and that same input is selected with Audio Recorder. RythmBox plays externally recorded music perfectly, so the problem is limited to the webcam mic.

How to fix? (I have limited unix desktop experience)

Solution 1:

I experienced the same issue, I found this and it solved the issue for me.

If your microphone volume creeps up automatically and causes the sound to be distorted, you can fix it by disabling mic boost:

In /usr/share/pulseaudio/alsa-mixer/paths/analog-input-internal-mic.conf and /usr/share/pulseaudio/alsa-mixer/paths/analog-input-mic.conf,

• Under [Element Internal Mic Boost] set volume to zero.
• Under [Element Int Mic Boost] set volume to zero.
• Under [Element Mic Boost] set volume to zero.

Then restart PulseAudio:

pulseaudio -k

Solution 2:

I just decreased the input volume bar in here. And it worked!!!

System Settings→Sound→Input