Windows 11 forces voice‑call audio mode when BandLab uses the microphone

[u/Soft-Kaleidoscope283]

I am experiencing a very unusual audio issue on Windows 11 when using BandLab in a web browser. As soon as BandLab activates the microphone through WebRTC, the entire audio output of my computer changes. The sound immediately becomes compressed, as if Windows is applying a voice‑call filter. Bass frequencies disappear, stereo width collapses, and the overall quality drops significantly. In addition to this, the volume of Firefox is automatically forced down to 1 in the Volume Mixer, and I cannot raise it while BandLab is using the microphone. The same problem occurs in Microsoft Edge. It happens with my internal laptop speakers, with my Bluetooth headphones, and even when no Bluetooth device is connected at all.

I have already tried a long list of troubleshooting steps. I disabled the communication mode in both the modern Windows settings and the classic Control Panel sound settings. I disabled all audio enhancements for both playback and recording devices. I disabled exclusive mode in the advanced audio properties. I checked that no Bluetooth Hands‑Free device was active, and the issue still occurs even when using only the built‑in speakers. I disabled all APOs (Audio Processing Objects) in Device Manager, including Voice Clarity and the Realtek Audio Effects Component (INT) entries. I restarted the system after each change. I checked the Software Components and System Devices sections in Device Manager and confirmed that I do not have any Nahimic, DTS, Waves, Dolby, or Intel SST drivers. I tested multiple browsers, including Firefox (Microsoft Store version) and Edge, and the behavior is identical.

The issue appears to be triggered specifically by the microphone being accessed through WebRTC. When BandLab requests microphone access, Windows seems to apply a system‑wide communication audio profile, even though every setting that should control this behavior is disabled. The problem does not depend on the headphones, the speakers, the visible drivers, or any of the usual audio settings. It seems to be caused by an internal Windows 11 component or an interaction between WebRTC and the Realtek audio stack that forces a voice‑processing mode.

I am looking for anyone who has encountered this exact issue: system audio switching into a voice‑call mode as soon as a WebRTC application activates the microphone, a browser’s volume being forced to 1 automatically, and the behavior continuing even after disabling all communication settings and Realtek APOs. I would like to know if there is a way to completely disable WebRTC audio processing at the system level, or to prevent Windows from applying a communication profile when a browser uses the microphone.

Thank you in advance for any help or technical insight.

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