How to Connect a Microphone to Your Computer

Today, Mytour will guide you on how to set up a new device, specifically an external microphone (either a standard computer mic or a professional XLR jack mic) to enhance your computer’s audio input for online chatting or home recording. If you're still struggling with why your system isn't receiving a signal, check out the troubleshooting tips at the end.

Identify the type of microphone jack. Usually, standard computer microphones come with two main types of connectors: the TRS mm jack (similar to a headphone jack) and the rectangular USB plug. Both of these connectors are compatible with most computers.

• If you're using an XLR jack mic with a 6.35mm diameter or other types of mics, refer to the next section.

Find the matching connection port on your computer. Most desktop computers have a microphone port that is easy to find, usually located at the front or back of the case. This port is typically pink and has a microphone icon. If your microphone has a mm jack, simply plug it in and begin testing the sound.

• For microphones with a USB jack, nearly all computers have at least two USB ports on the side or back of the device. Just plug the USB jack into one of these ports.
• Modern laptops and some computers do not have a microphone port as they typically have built-in microphones. However, you can still plug the mic into the headphone port and adjust the sound settings.

Test the microphone using recording software. To check the volume and easily set up the microphone, open the input sound options. Then, check if the newly plugged-in device appears and is selected for use. Finally, open a recording program to set the volume and test the microphone.

• On Windows, you can use Sound Recorder, while Mac computers offer Quicktime or GarageBand as suitable options.
• If you're still not receiving a signal, refer to the troubleshooting section at the end for further assistance.

Identify the type of microphone jack. Typically, high-end music microphones, condenser microphones, and other professional devices require an adapter or converter cable to connect to your computer. The cost of these converter devices varies and depends on the type of microphone you’re connecting.

• If you see three prongs arranged in a triangle at the end of the microphone plug, it's an XLR microphone, and you'll need an XLR-to-mm cable, a USB converter, or an audio mixer.
• For a 6.35mm jack (the size used for guitar cables), you'll need to purchase a converter cable to change this to a more common USB or mm size and then plug it into the microphone/headphone port. These cables are usually inexpensive, costing only a few dollars.

Prepare the appropriate adapter. All these microphones need to be connected to some form of interface device to plug into your computer. Since these microphones are usually high-quality, it's best to invest in a good interface device to maintain the strongest possible signal.

• XLR microphones can be plugged into relatively inexpensive cables or USB converter devices, but some users report that this connection may cause "popping" sounds and degrade the quality of a good microphone. For the best sound quality, it's recommended to invest in a USB-output mixer.
• 6.35mm-to-mm converter cables are widely available and very cheap. You can find them at any electronics store or online retailer.

Test the new microphone with audio recording software. To check the volume and set up the microphone quickly and easily, go to the input audio options. Then, verify if the connected device appears and is selected for use. Finally, open a recording program to adjust the volume and test the microphone.

• On Windows, you can use Sound Recorder, while Quicktime or GarageBand are suitable options for Mac.
• If you still don’t get a signal, refer to the next section for troubleshooting advice.

Check the input sound settings. If you’re not receiving any signal, go to your computer's audio settings to ensure that the correct device is selected, and the volume is not too low.

• For Mac, there is no driver to access directly, so go to System Settings and click on "Sound," then select "Input." Ensure the microphone is checked, not the built-in one.
• On a PC, open the Control Panel, click on "Hardware and Sound," and select "Sound." A new window will pop up. Next, click on the Recording tab at the top; your microphone will show up here. If there's no green checkmark next to it, the microphone is not selected. Click on it and choose Properties. You can change the setting under "Use this device" so the microphone is automatically used the next time it's plugged in.

Set the input volume level. On most computers, you can adjust the input volume. For inexpensive microphones, the volume should be set higher than normal to achieve the desired signal, but avoid setting it to maximum. Typically, the default setting (around 50%) is best.

• On Mac, you can adjust it in System Settings, under the "Sound" section.
• On PC, you can adjust it in "Hardware and Sound," under the "Sound" section.

Check your computer’s speakers and volume. If you're using external speakers or headphones, double-check the settings on both your computer and the device to make sure the volume is correctly adjusted, or you might not hear anything at all.

Check the microphone settings. It's important to ensure that the microphone is turned on, the cable is properly connected, and other settings are adjusted to suit the microphone.

• Some condenser and chat microphones have various toggle settings, such as increasing the volume or expanding the volume range. Switching between features will help you determine what sound configuration works best for your needs.

Check the settings of the specific program you are using. Different audio processing programs have various input settings that need to be verified for stability. Even if you've adjusted the system settings, some recording software may need separate configuration to use the built-in microphone or audio from other sources.

• For example, if you’re using Skype, go to Tools > Options > Audio settings and select the microphone. If the microphone doesn't show up or still doesn't work, check if the microphone requires specific software or drivers to operate.

Try restarting your computer. Sometimes, closing at least the program you're using or even restarting the computer helps it recognize new hardware that has been connected.

• If the microphone still doesn’t work, try using a different microphone or testing the microphone on another computer. This will help determine whether the issue is with your computer or the microphone itself.