Quite often, unprepared users ask themselves this question: "How to connect a microphone to a laptop correctly and configure it?" To date, there are various modifications of such devices for recording sound, so it is not so simple as it seems at first glance. It is not always possible to directly physically connect to a mobile PC, and in such cases you have to use special adapters. Next, you need to install the drivers. This is also a rather complicated stage, which in certain cases requires serious preparation from the user. Well, at the final stage, you need to make a test using the software resources of the OS itself or third-party software. It is from these stages that the procedure of how to connect a microphone to a laptop at the moment consists.
Device selectionYou need to choose a microphone based on the tasks for which it will be used. For example, for communication on Skype, an inexpensive device worth about 2 USD is also suitable. But for high-quality sound recording, you need to spend at least 20 of the same American dollars. Also, when buying, you must consider the connection interface. Most often it is a 3.5 mm audio jack. But there are other connectors.
Connection options
Connecting a microphone to a laptop can be realized through:
- 3.5 mm audio jack;
- 6.3 mm audio jack;
- USB serial port .
The first and third type of contacts are equipped with most laptops today. Therefore, physically installing such a device is not difficult. You just need to pay attention to the fact that a microphone with a 3.5 mm audio jack is installed in a red or orange jack. Next to it there is a characteristic logo in the form of such a sound device. But in the case of 6.3 mm audio jack, everything is a little more complicated. All professional microphones are equipped with just such a connector, and their sound quality is an order of magnitude better than the rest. To connect them, you must additionally purchase an adapter from 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm.
Drivers
The second important step in the process of connecting a microphone to a laptop is installing the necessary software. If the device is Plug & Play, this operation will be performed automatically. Otherwise, you will need to do it yourself. If the kit included a CD, then you need to run it and follow the instructions of the installation wizard. In extreme cases, you need to go to the official website of the equipment manufacturer and get the necessary data from him, and then install them.
Testing
At the final stage of the procedure, how to connect a microphone to a laptop, it is necessary to conduct a test. To do this, find the shortcut of the sound card manager on the taskbar. Its appearance depends on the manufacturer. For example, for Realtek products, it will be a peach-colored speaker. We double-click on it with the left mouse button and go to the "Microphone" tab in the window that opens. There should be an indicator that shows the operation of the sound equipment when the sound signal. You can also use Skype for these purposes. In this case, you need to go to the "Tools" menu, then find "Settings" and select "Sound Settings" there. In the window that opens, you will see a slider indicator that will show the change in the received signal from the sound device. In this case, you can even hear the result of working in speakers or headphones.
Conclusion
There is nothing complicated in the described installation algorithm. It is universal and suitable for most cases. For example, using it you can carry out such a procedure as connecting a microphone to a laptop for karaoke. The only thing to consider is the need to install a special program at the end that would allow you to perform songs.