Hi cheryl. I got one from Radio Shack that cost about 20 $ and runs on two triple a batteries. It sounds good, but doesn't have an on/off switch to save the batteries. You have to unplug it to save the batteries. You might try going into alsamixer, and find the MIC Boost control, just to the right of the MIC control. Check and see if it is muted. It has no volume level setting, just mute and unmute. You can also try making sure that your capture volume, just to the left of the AC'97 control, is set to 100 and unmuted. Of course, to record with the mic or to use the reflecter, you'll have to also make sure that the MIC control is captured, but then you probably already know that. Hope these suggestions help. Gene >Hi gene and all. >I just changed the AC97 setting and that did appear to help my volume and >clarity. >Can anybody give me tips regarding mikes, especially if one may eventually wan t >to record with them--what to get and where. >This mike I have is an inexpensive one I got at radio shack. >TIA. > > >_______________________________________________ >Speakup mailing list >Speakup at braille.uwo.ca >http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup