Can you use Android phone as microphone for PC?

ByJael Lawler

Connecting an Android phone to a PC to use as a microphone has become increasingly popular due to the high quality microphones on smartphones as well as the convenience of using a device you already carry. This article outlines the main requirements, steps, applications, and tips to effectively use your Android smartphone as a Windows microphone for gaming, streaming, calls and more. The key questions answered include:

– What are the main benefits and uses of connecting an Android mic to a PC?
– What are the requirements and compatibility considerations?
– How can you connect the devices via Bluetooth, USB or WiFi?
– What are the best microphone apps and audio settings?
– What tips maximize audio quality and minimize latency?
– What are some limitations?
– What alternatives exist besides using your Android phone as a PC microphone?

By the end, you will have a comprehensive overview of using an Android smartphone as a Windows microphone.

Benefits of Using an Android Phone as a Microphone for PC

There are several potential benefits to using your Android phone as a microphone for your PC instead of a built-in microphone:

Better Audio Quality – External microphones like those found in higher-end Android phones can provide superior audio quality compared to basic built-in PC mics. The microphone(s) in many modern Android smartphones are able to capture wider frequency ranges [1] with less background noise which leads to clearer and richer sounding audio for voice calls, recordings, livestreams and more.

Mobility – Since your phone is portable, you can easily move around while remaining connected to your PC for audio input. This allows you flexibility in where you record from. Built-in PC mics limit you to sitting right in front of your computer.

Convenience – Most people now have a smartphone with a decent mic readily available. There’s no need to purchase a separate external mic for your PC. Just use what’s already in your pocket to improve your audio capture.

[1] https://www.syncoaudio.com/blogs/news/choose-and-use-condenser-microphone-for-android

Requirements

To use your Android phone as a microphone for your PC, you’ll need the following:

  • An Android smartphone
  • A PC with a microphone input
  • A USB cable or Bluetooth connectivity between your phone and PC
  • A microphone app installed on your Android phone such as WO Mic

The main requirements are having an Android phone and a way to connect it to your computer, either via USB cable or Bluetooth. You’ll also need a microphone app like WO Mic, which allows you to use your phone’s mic input and transmit it to your computer. With these basics covered, you’ll be ready to start using your Android as a wireless mic for your PC.

How To Connect

There are two main methods to connect your Android phone as a microphone to your PC – via USB cable or Bluetooth. Here are step-by-step instructions for each method:

Connect Via USB Cable

Using a USB cable is the most reliable way to connect your Android phone as a microphone to your Windows PC. Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Install the WO Mic app on your Android phone.
  2. Connect your phone to your PC using a USB cable.
  3. Open WO Mic on your phone and enable USB mode.
  4. Install the WO Mic client on your Windows PC.
  5. Open the WO Mic client on your PC and it will automatically detect your phone.
  6. Select your phone and choose it as the microphone input for your PC.

Once connected via USB, WO Mic will transmit your phone’s microphone audio to your PC. You can then use it as a microphone input for calls, recordings, livestreams, and more.

Connect Via Bluetooth

You can also connect your Android phone’s microphone to your PC using Bluetooth:

  1. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on both your phone and PC.
  2. Pair your phone and PC so they are connected via Bluetooth.
  3. Install and open the WO Mic app on your phone, and enable Bluetooth mode.
  4. Install and open the WO Mic client on your PC.
  5. The WO Mic client will automatically detect your phone’s Bluetooth connection.
  6. Select your phone in WO Mic on your PC to use it as the microphone input.

The main downside of Bluetooth is potential latency and interference. But it does provide a wireless connection option.

Microphone Apps

There are several great microphone app options for Android that allow you to use your phone as a wireless mic for your computer. Some top choices include:

WO Mic – This popular app lets you use your Android device as a microphone for your PC. It works over local WiFi and is easy to set up.

Cakewalk – This free digital audio workstation has an Android app that allows you to record audio directly into Cakewalk on your PC using WiFi.

Some other options are apps like Iriun, DroidCam, and EZ Mic. Most of these microphone apps work by streaming audio from your phone to your computer over WiFi, allowing seamless use of your Android as a wireless mic.

Audio Settings

Once your phone is connected as a microphone to your PC, you will need to configure the audio settings to use it properly. Here are the steps:

1. Go to Control Panel > Sound > Recording tab. You should see your phone listed as a microphone device.

2. Double click on your phone’s microphone and go to the Listen tab. Check the “Listen to this device” box. This allows you to hear yourself in your PC speakers when speaking into the phone.[1]

3. Click OK to close this window. Now double click your phone again and go to the Levels tab. Adjust the microphone level slider about midway to start. You can increase or decrease as needed.

4. Click OK again. Go to the Recording tab and right click your phone > Set as Default Device. This sets it as the default microphone input for your PC.

5. Finally, go to the Playback tab. Your speakers should be listed here. Right click and Set as Default Device. This ensures sound plays through them.

Following these steps will configure your Android phone microphone properly in Windows. Adjust audio levels as needed for best quality.

Tips for Best Audio

There are a few tips to get the best audio quality when using your Android phone as a microphone for your PC:

Ideal phone position – Hold the phone close to your mouth, around 6 inches away, but not so close that plosives cause popping. Angle the top of the phone toward your mouth. Use a tripod or stand to keep the phone fixed in an optimal position.

Avoid background noise – Find a quiet location without echo or ambient sounds like air conditioning. Turn off any other devices in the room. Use noise-isolating headphones to monitor the audio.

Accessories – Add a foam windscreen over the mic to reduce plosives. An external mic can vastly improve quality. Make sure cables are secure and not adding noise.

Record test audio – Check levels using mic monitoring before recording final audio. Do a short test recording and play it back to check for any issues.

Adjust audio settings – Enable mic monitoring and tweak mic gain or auto-levels in your recording app for optimal levels without clipping or distortion. Consider using a compressor app.

Overdub audio – If needed, record audio lines separately and overlay them in your audio editor for the cleanest sound.

With some preparation and the right technique, you can record professional quality audio using just your Android phone as a mic for your computer.

Limitations

While using an Android phone as a microphone for a PC can be convenient, there are some limitations to be aware of:

One major limitation is audio lag. Since the audio is being transmitted wirelessly from the phone to the computer, there can be a slight delay that makes applications like voice chat difficult to use smoothly. The lag time can vary depending on the strength of the WiFi connection.

Certain apps may not be fully compatible with using an Android microphone input. Apps designed for professional studio recording often require specific hardware Microphones and may not work properly with the smartphone audio.

Using the phone as a mic constantly can also drain the battery life quicker. Keeping WiFi, Bluetooth, microphone access, and any related apps running in the background will consume more power than usual.

The microphone and audio quality itself may not match more advanced external microphones, since the phone microphone is designed mainly for calls and voice memos. Background noise cancellation and stereo audio effects will be limited.

Overall the Android microphone option works best for casual voice chat and recordings, but has limitations for professional or high-quality audio work. For certain use cases, a dedicated USB or XLR microphone may be preferable.

Alternatives

While using your Android phone as a microphone for your computer can work in a pinch, there are some dedicated microphone options that may provide higher quality audio. Here are some alternatives to consider:

USB microphones like the Blue Yeti or Audio-Technica AT2020 offer studio-quality sound and easy plug-and-play connectivity to your computer via USB. Many have multiple pickup patterns to choose from, built-in headphone jacks for monitoring, and onboard controls for gain, mute, and more. The sound quality will likely exceed that of a smartphone microphone.

Wireless lavalier microphones like the Rode Wireless Go can clip onto your shirt and transmit audio to a receiver plugged into your computer. This gives you freedom to move around while recording or broadcasting. The transmitters often have built-in recorders as well, allowing 2-way recording.

Headset microphones like the HyperX QuadCast S have the microphone integrated into the headphone design. This positions the mic closer to your mouth for improved sound pickup. Some headsets even offer noise cancellation features to reduce ambient sound.

Dedicated microphones avoid potential audio quality issues caused by a smartphone microphone’s small size and limited hardware processing capabilities. While your Android phone can work in a pinch, a USB, lavalier, or headset mic may provide an upgrade in sound for recording or broadcasting professional audio.

Source: https://www.engadget.com/best-mobile-microphones-for-recording-with-a-phone-154536629.html

Conclusion

In summary, using an Android phone as a microphone for your PC is a convenient and affordable way to improve your audio quality. With just a few apps, some minor settings adjustments, and a good USB or Bluetooth connection, you can transform your smartphone into a capable microphone for recording, streaming, calls, and more.

The key benefits are the improved audio pickup and noise cancellation that smartphone mics provide over basic computer mics. Phones are designed for clear voice pickup. With some added tips for optimal microphone technique, you can achieve excellent results. Just be aware of potential latency or degraded quality over Bluetooth.

For most casual users’ audio needs, using an Android phone as a PC microphone is an easy DIY solution. While dedicated USB mics or XLR mic setups have advantages, a phone mic eliminates the need for any additional purchases. With minimal effort, your Android phone can become a versatile tool for all your PC audio tasks.

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