Creative HS-720 headset (mic volume problem)

Symptom:
When gaming with my buddies, they are always complaining that my mic is way to low.

What:
I have: Creative HS-720 Headset. (Plug and Play/USB)

How:
I have set up so that voice chat comes through my ears and everything else goes through the speakers.
I use a program called Trillian with a Skype add-on.

What I tried:
Turning the mic volume up to the max in Trillian
Turning the mic volume up to the max in the properties of the device. (Sound-Recording-Microphone)
Turning Automatic Gain Control off and putting everything up.
Turning AGC on.
Turned Listening off.
Switched to dvd quality.
Switched to cd quality.
Allow applications to take control (skype in this case)
Googled for drivers but no luck at all.
Tried pushing it closer to my face... then my friends complain of breathing noises. (which is quiet)

Additional Information:
I am running Windows 8, 64bit Pro
I have: BT Infinity 2 Internet (78Mbps Down/20Mbps Up)
The headset is plugged into a standard USB 2.0 slot.
I have had this problem since I had the mic but never got around to trying to fix it until now.

Question:
How can I amplify my mic's volume for better use?

Bump

Does anyone have any suggestions?