# Microphone woes

**URL:** <https://forum.zrythm.org/t/microphone-woes/60>\
**Category:** GNU/Linux\
**Created:** [December 10, 2023, 8:30pm UTC](https://forum.zrythm.org/t/microphone-woes/60 "2023-12-10T20:30:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![justin.ehrlichman](https://forum.zrythm.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/67e7ee/32.png) [@justin.ehrlichman](https://forum.zrythm.org/u/justin.ehrlichman)\
**Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 8:30pm UTC](https://forum.zrythm.org/t/microphone-woes/60/1 "2023-12-10T20:30:25Z")

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Just purchased an installer for Zrythym and I have to say I am very pleased with this DAW, however I am facing an issue with recording from my mic.

Please forgive me in advance as I am pretty new to Linux Audio. I am using Debian 12 bookworm and JACK as the audio backend. I am using a plantronics Blackwire C5220 headset.

When I create Audio Track then hit records nothing gets picked up. I am also using this same setup for Ardour and the mic works just fine there.

Below is a screenshot of my Zrythym settings:

 ![nomic](https://forum.zrythm.org/uploads/default/original/1X/7de8613e69b570e2313d848a942ea210b1c7effa.png)

Also here is a screenshot from qjackctl:

 ![jackconnection](https://forum.zrythm.org/uploads/default/original/1X/fdd868d4024467516bfd1e5963e233c32cffbafd.png)

Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.

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**Author:** ![alex](https://forum.zrythm.org/user_avatar/forum.zrythm.org/alex/32/19_2.png) [@alex](https://forum.zrythm.org/u/alex)\
**Post date:** [December 11, 2023, 9:59am UTC](https://forum.zrythm.org/t/microphone-woes/60/2 "2023-12-11T09:59:49Z")

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Hi and welcome!

I’m starting to believe there is an issue with recording on the JACK backend (without PipeWire) due to [MIDI Controller input no workie](https://forum.zrythm.org/t/midi-controller-input-no-workie/58)

Most people I know (including me) use PipeWire and don’t have issues. So this needs further investigation from me. I will be tracking this issue here: [Cannot record on pure JACK backend (MIDI or audio) (#4961) · Issues · Zrythm / zrythm · GitLab](https://gitlab.zrythm.org/zrythm/zrythm/-/issues/4961)

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**Author:** ![justin.ehrlichman](https://forum.zrythm.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/67e7ee/32.png) [@justin.ehrlichman](https://forum.zrythm.org/u/justin.ehrlichman)\
**Post date:** [December 12, 2023, 11:00pm UTC](https://forum.zrythm.org/t/microphone-woes/60/3 "2023-12-12T23:00:06Z")

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Alex,

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. I did setup pipewire after I made this post and still no joy, though I am not sure if I set it up correctly.

I also wanted to let you know I also tested it on my early 2015 Macbook with Sonoma installed and had the same issue both with the headset and the built in mic. There may be a chance the issue may be me (perhaps I am not understanding recording right or setting up inputs right)

I’ll recehck the manual and do some more testing and let you know what I find out.

Despite all the trouble, I just wanted to say I am really excited about this project. I have been looking FOSS DAW that would be a great alternative to Garageband for Linux as far as intuitive design.

I would love to contribute to this project what I can and have some ideas I’ll send you a separate email on .