How to Hook up an XLR Studio Condenser Microphone to a Computer

If you have ever wanted to hook a professional studio condenser mic to your computer you can do it in a few simply steps. There are many ways to do this but this is the easiest way to hook a mic and mixer to your computer.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Powered Audio Mixer
• Studio Condenser Mic
• Red & White to 3.5mm Audio Cable
• Headphones
• 3.5mm to 1/4 adapter

1. 
    
   XLR to Mixer

   Once you have purchased all of the items you need the first thing you do is take the studio mic with the XLR connection and hook it into the first Mic hole on the upper left of the Mixer.

2. 
    
   RW to 3.5mm

   Take your Red & White Audio cable(see pic) you can purchase one of these here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882339159

3. 
    
   RCA to the back of computer

   Take your Red & White to 3.5mm audio cable and plug it into the upper right corner of the mixer in the spot that says CD/Tape under the output section...then plug the 3.5mm part into the Microphone hole on the back of your computer

4. 
    
   Headphones

   Plug in headphones into Phones section of mixer. If your headphones are 3.5mm use a 1/4inch adapter to plug them in.

5. 
    
   Powering mixer up

   Plug in your mixer turn on your computer then when you turn your mixer on hit the normal power button, the the Phantom power button which is used when you have an XLR Condenser Mic

6. Then open a program such as Audacity to test out your mix.you might have to adjust some properties in your computer to get all the bugs out.

7. To monitor yourself through the mix

Tips & Warnings

• Play around with the levels on the mixing board to fully understand everything
• don't forget to unmute the mic on your computer settings
• make sure your mic and computer speakers are not to close your you will get a lot of feedback.

Resources

• Recommended Mixers
• Recommended Mic
• RCA to 3.55mm cable