My mic doesn't work - linux

I've been trying the video record tool and the camera works fine, but there's no sound recorded. Tried it with both internal and external mics. Sound works fine if I play something on YouTube via Firefox (got 3.0.3 working), so it isn't the speakers. And I haven't found anything to record an audio file from the microphone. I was planning to install Skype but no point until I've solved this. Is there something I've not done?

 

The webcam app doesn't do sound; the giveaway is that there is no configuration tab for any sound device! Skype works fine with the internal mic, but if you want to check your mic is working first, start a terminal and do

Code:

arecord test

then talk a bit, then hit CTRL-C.

Now do

Code:

aplay test

and you should hear your voice coming back.

 

Great. That works.Thank you. Is there a video app which includes sound, or a sound only app? I'm thinking of recording short video and sound bites for my blog.

 

I haven't tried it myself, but there is an application called Cheese which could be worth a go.

 

Any suggestions what to do if there is no sound recorded?