introduction: How to Connect Microphone to Computer and Get Clear Audio?
Nowadays, people hold many important meetings online as it saves time and is much more efficient. Audio clarity is one of the biggest issues regarding online meetings and attending classes. Sometimes, the audio is not, and the other person can’t hear you. One of the reasons for this inconvenience is a faulty in-built microphone.
An external microphone is one of the ways you can tackle the audio issue. However, people who are not tech-savvy often find it difficult to connect a microphone to a PC. There are a few ports in the computer which might confuse you.
In this article, we are discussing all microphones and how to connect them to your computer. We will throw in some tips to improve the audio quality and test the microphone. You can follow a few easy tips to see if your microphone is detected. Let’s begin!
Three Simple Methods to Connect Microphone to a Computer
If you want to upgrade your computer’s quality and have good audio, you can connect an external microphone to it. However, you can also connect to the computer’s microphone if it has not given you trouble. This section will discuss three simple methods covering in-built and professional microphones. Let’s begin:
Connect to a Professional Microphone
Professional microphones are quite beneficial when recording podcasts and attending important board meetings. However, connecting them to a computer may seem like a task, especially when there are a lot of jacks. Here is a simple way of connecting a professional microphone to a computer:
Step # 1: Have a Detailed Look at the Jack
You need to look at the professional microphone jack as it does not attach directly to computers often. Sometimes, people must invest in adapters to connect microphones to the computer. A triangular prong at the microphone’s end signifies an XLR jack. An XLR jack does not directly attach to the computer; you need an 8-inch converter to turn it into a mixer or USB.
On the other hand, a microphone’s jack can be less than a quarter, making it a guitar jack. It would be best if you also had a converter, in this case, to turn it into a USB port or a headphone jack. You don’t have to invest much in converters as they only cost a few dollars and last longer.
Step # 2: Invest in the Right Converter
Sometimes, the adapters are such low-quality that they can ruin your professional microphones. It is essential to invest in high-quality converters to ensure the audio quality is intact. If you use an XLR microphone, you need a USB converter box.
On the other hand, a good-quality USB mixing box will ensure the microphone quality is not compromised. If your microphone can work with an eight-inch converter, it is great. You can get these converters from anywhere for cheaper. These converters keep the quality intact and provide a sound payoff.
Step # 3: Test your Microphone
Before you go ahead and use the microphone for a meeting or recording, it is best to test and see how it works. You can test the microphone using the sound settings, but it is best to use online sound recording apps.
There is a sound recorder on Windows which helps your record your sound which you can play afterward. It helps you to check the sound quality and manipulate settings a little bit. For MacOS, software like GarageBand and Quick Time works fine.
Connecting to in-built Microphone
Some computers have a great in-built microphone, and you don’t need a separate mic to replace it. It would be best if you connected to the in-built microphone to set a good audio communication. Your basic headphone microphone can also work the best. Here is how to connect to the in-built microphone:
Step # 1: Connect your Headphones
If you are using regular headphones, they probably have an XLR jack. You can plug the headphones into the jack and enable the microphone when the notification pops up. Make sure to allow the headphones to access the microphone; otherwise, it will not work.
Step # 2: Unmute the microphone
The second step is the simplest yet most crucial. Many people cannot communicate in an important meeting because their microphone is mute. When you join a meeting, have a look at the microphone icon. If a red slash goes through the microphone, it is on mute. You can unmute it by clicking on the microphone.
Step # 3: Test the Microphone
The process of testing a microphone is pretty much straightforward. You must go to the sound settings and click on the microphone option below. You will see a ‘test microphone’ option and speak to see if the indicator moves. If the indicator moves, the microphone is working.
Troubleshoot Sound Issues
Sometimes, your microphone is working fine, but you still have communication issues. There are a few sound issues that can happen when using microphones. Here are some common issues that you can sort:
Step # 1: Check your PC’s Volume
One of the common issues that can cause microphone sound issues is when the volume is too low. You can click on the sound icon in the taskbar to check the sound levels. The alternative way of checking sound levels is to go to settings and sound. You can drag the indicator across to increase the volume.
Step # 2: Allow Microphone
When you connect a microphone to the computer, you get a notification of a new device attached to the computer. When you connect to an app for a meeting or a conference, you get a notification asking to allow a microphone. You must allow the microphone to connect to the app to have a seamless conversation.
If you don’t allow a microphone by mistake, you have to disconnect the call and connect again. You will get the notification to connect the microphone again. You have to allow the microphone this time. Some apps don’t even allow you to hear if the microphone is not connected.
Step # 3: Select the right input
A default setting in PCs does not change until you do it manually. If your microphone is not working, you must change the input setting. You can open the sound settings, go to microphones and change the input settings by clicking on the drop-down menu.
If the name of your current microphone is not selected, you can select it through the list in the drop-down. The microphone will probably start working when you change the input. It is also nice to increase the sound from the input section for more clarity.
Bonus Section- How to Achieve More Sound Clarity Through Microphone
The whole point of attaching an external microphone to a computer is to achieve sound clarity. However, people are unable to do it sometimes due to external factors. Here is how you can achieve sound clarity using a microphone:
- Before any important meeting, ensure your internet connection is steady, so the audio flows smoothly.
- Keep your microphone away from direct noise sources for less audio distortion.
- It is pivotal to always speak on the right side of the microphone as the back-end is not polarized.
- Keep the microphone a few inches away from your mouth, as it can cause distortion and shakiness.
- Try to keep your windows and fans closed during an important meeting as it can create background noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my computer to recognize my microphone?
When you connect a microphone to your computer, you see a notification. However, you can go to the sound setting if you don’t see a notification. There is a microphone option below, which you can choose. Below the microphone option, you will see an input set with a drop-down menu. Click on the drop-down menu to select the current microphone.
Can you connect the microphone directly to the PC?
Yes, you can connect the microphone directly to the PC if it has an XLR jack or USB. However, if the microphone has a different jack, you might need an adapter. The adapter will help convert it into an XLR or USB one. You can easily get adapters at a cheaper price to maintain the top-notch quality of your microphone.
Where do I plug my microphone cable into my computer?
A few jacks in a computer can confuse people as to which is a microphone jack. However, you would see a small microphone icon on one of the jacks indicating its use. You can plug the microphone in that jack or experiment to figure it out.
Conclusion
People often wonder how to connect a microphone to a computer because it seems like a tedious task. However, you can do so easily by following the steps mentioned below. It is essential to take care of a few factors to achieve clear audio.