How to connect a microphone to your laptop

A laptop is not only a computing machine for work, but also a powerful multimedia station. It plays, records, edits and sends sound files or audio streams to other (remote) computers. Each notebook is equipped with a built-in microphone. The frequency-dynamic characteristics of this device have sufficient range for transmitting voice in programs like Skype. However, if you need a detailed sound picture with a minimum of distortion, you will have to give up the built-in equipment.

Popular types of microphones

Let's assume that an external microphone is already available and all that's left is to find the best way to connect it. To do this, you need to find out what kind of microphone it belongs to. The most common types are dynamic, electret and condenser microphones. The user does not need to understand their structure: it is important to understand that the first two types do not require power, and the third type either contains a battery in the housing, or needs to connect an external source.

According to their design, they can be:

• manual;
• hinged;
• table-top;
• head-mounted.

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Microphone jacks on laptops

Among all the ports found on laptops, the following are suitable for connecting a microphone:

Jack 3.5 mm standard connectors - for transmitting an analog signal.

Structurally, they can be separate (upper picture) or combined (lower picture). The sound from the microphone connected to this connector is sent to the integrated sound card, where it is amplified and converted into a digital code. Due to the "modest" parameters of the built-in audio interface, the signal is recorded or transmitted with a delay of more than 30 ms. When the "direct" and processed DAC/DAC sound are simultaneously output to the speakers, an echo-like effect occurs.

Universal USB inputs for digital devices

Suitable for microphones and sound cards with an appropriate plug. Delay time depends on the peripheral device and is less than 10-15ms.

IEEE 1394

Rarely used for capturing audio and video from camcorders. This port is not suitable for direct microphone connection, but is used to transfer signals from external, self-powered FireWire sound cards. The IEEE 1394 port's bandwidth allows the signal to be transmitted with a 2 to 4 ms delay.

How to set up headphones for quality sound

Microphone plugs

Jack, a common jack for transmitting analog audio signals, is used in three modifications:

TRS 3.5mm.

Used in lower-end multimedia microphones. Compatible with laptops where a split connection is provided.

TRRS 3.5mm.

The jack has one more contact than TRS and is used in cell phone headsets and gaming headphones. Without modification they are connected to the combo jacks (Fig. 2). In cases where the laptop has a TRRS jack and the microphone cable has a TRS and vice versa, the compatibility problem is solved by purchasing an adapter (Fig. 6 and 7). Manufacturers of gaming headsets in the middle and upper price segments supply their products with cables of both standards. For example, the Razer Kraken Pro comes with a TRRS jack and a splitter for two TRS.

Adapters

TS 6.3 mm

Karaoke microphones are equipped with a jack of this diameter. To connect to a 3.5 mm computer jack, you need to buy an adapter for 3.5 mm.

USB microphones are digital devices with an integrated DAC

Connecting them does not cause difficulties. Windows and MacOS find the drivers for them and recognize them without rebooting. USB devices are designed primarily for audio conferencing, recording podcasts, working on the road. But there are also semi-professional models for recording. For example, the SAMSON G-TRACK PRO is a universal condenser microphone for recording voice and instruments. In addition to the 24 bit/96 kHz DAC it has a built-in preamp with USB bus power. It has an instrument input with sensitivity control and a directional switch.

The XLR, or Cannon, connector is used in stage or studio class techniques. The equipment can also be used in conjunction with a laptop with the appropriate cable. The only condition: the microphone must be dynamic. Condenser models with XLR require phantom power +48 V, which can be taken from the mixing console or audio interface with microphone preamplifier.

Connecting an external sound card

If you want to achieve a detailed voice recording a combination of microphone - external sound card - laptop gives you a result comparable to the studio. The audio interface, as opposed to plug and play devices, requires an order of installation:

• first, the driver disk is inserted into the CD and the driver is installed;
• Then the laptop is turned off and the sound card is connected to it (via USB or IEEE 1394);
• After turning on the laptop appears installation wizard detects the device and helps to configure it.

To avoid hardware conflicts, it is recommended to disable the built-in sound card in the BIOS and remove its drivers.

How to configure the microphone

Once the new device is installed, it is displayed in the operating system. In Windows 7 it is located in Start / Control Panel / Sound / Recording. USB microphones and sound card inputs are displayed here. If the device is not detected, the drivers are reinstalled, after which the problem is most often solved.

The easiest way to adjust the microphone volume is in the application for which it is intended. For example, in Skype, the "Sound settings" tab is located in the "Calls" menu. On this page, choose an input device and either adjust it manually or set it to automatic.

No matter what application you are working with, remember that the sound level on the indicator should not exceed 0 dB. Otherwise, clicks and voice distortions are guaranteed.

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