How to Add a Microphone to a PC
A microphone can be a useful addition to your personal computer setup. You can use a microphone to record your voice, musical instruments or sound effects on an audio recording program. A PC equipped with a microphone will also give you the ability to talk to other individuals over the Internet. Luckily, adding a microphone to your PC is a simple project that can be completed without much difficulty, time or cost.
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Instructions
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How to Add a Microphone to a PC
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Choose a USB audio interface. Purchase an audio interface equipped with at least one female XLR cable input. Visit a local music store or buy an interface like the Tascam US-100 or Edirol UA-25.
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Turn on your computer and connect the audio interface. Plug the thinner, wider end of the USB cable into the PC's USB port and plug the thicker end of the cable into the audio interface.
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Power on the audio interface and wait for your computer to recognize the new hardware. Install any software drivers needed to ensure that your PC accepts the audio signals from the audio interface. Use the CD included with the audio interface to install the driver or download the driver online.
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Plug your microphone into the audio interface. Plug the male end of the XLR cable into the audio interface and plug the female end into the microphone. Plug headphones into the audio interface and put them on.
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Open up an audio recording application or webcam application to test your microphone. If you do not already have a program of this type, download an application. Consult the user manual for your application to determine how to adjust the input and volume settings for your microphone. Lower the output volume on the audio interface if you hear clipping or popping when you speak or play sound into the microphone.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a high-quality condenser microphone to get the purest and most high quality recordings on your PC.
References
- Photo Credit microphone in red image by Oleg Kulakov from Fotolia.com
