Often a microphone is needed to work, play and communicate with a computer. If you are doing amateur recording or often sing karaoke with friends, then a microphone is a must. How to properly connect the device to a computer or laptop, which connectors do you need to plug the plug into, which cords and adapters to use?
Necessary
Computer with sound card, microphone, microphone cables, adapters
Instructions
Step 1
First you need to decide for what purpose you need a microphone. If you are going to talk with it on Skype or during online games, then a simple multimedia microphone with a small membrane or a headset (microphone with headphones) will suit you. Such devices can be used with built-in audio cards. When there is a need for better sound at a low price, you can look for a USB microphone, which has its own audio card, which digitizes the sound from the membrane. Microphones of this type are not very widespread, but they occupy their own niche in the market. If you do vocals, chances are that you will need a professional vocal microphone. If we are talking about a condenser microphone, then in addition you will need an audio device with a built-in microphone preamplifier and +48 volt phantom power, and if you are talking about a dynamic one, you can get by with the ordinary microphone input of a standard multimedia audio card.
Step 2
Once you've bought a microphone that's right for your purpose, you can start connecting it to your computer. In the case of a multimedia microphone, you just need to find the microphone jack on the audio card panel. For desktop computers, it is usually located on the back of the case, less often there are front panels, and for laptops, it is on the side or front. In most cases, the microphone jack is made according to the TRS 3.5 mm standard (the so-called mini-jack). To distinguish the microphone input from the line input or output, it is marked with a "microphone" icon or a red plastic ring around the connector.
Step 3
Connecting headsets is a little more complicated. As a rule, they have two plugs, one of which is for the microphone and the other for the headphones. It's even more difficult to connect a dynamic microphone. Ideally, it is better to have a professional sound card with a microphone preamplifier, but an adapter from XLR (three-pin microphone jack) to TRS 3.5 mm (mini-jack) or from TRS 6.3 mm (jack) to the same mini-jack may be suitable …
Step 4
The condenser microphone is connected strictly to the microphone preamp of a professional audio card, equipped with 48 volt phantom power. It is completely unsuitable for multimedia audio cards!
