How do I set up an external microphone?

An external microphone is a microphone that is not built into the device you are using for recording audio or video. External microphones connect to your computer, phone, camera, or recording device via a cable or wireless connection.

There are several reasons why someone may want to use an external microphone rather than rely on their device’s internal microphone:

• Better sound quality – External microphones are designed specifically for recording high-quality audio, so they generally produce much clearer sound than an internal microphone.
• Increased control – With an external mic, you can choose from various pickup patterns and positioning to best capture the desired sound.
• Reduced background noise – External mics provide isolation from ambient sounds around your device.
• Extended range – External mics often picks up wider frequencies and nuances in audio.
• Durability – External mics are more sturdy and reliable than small internal mics prone to damage.
• Portability – Many external mics are compact and portable to take anywhere.

In summary, external microphones provide higher quality audio capture, flexibility, and reliability compared to relying solely on your device’s built-in microphone.

Determine Your Setup

The first step is to determine what kind of device you will be using the external microphone with, as this can affect the type of microphone and connectors you need. There are some key differences between desktop and laptop setups:

Desktop computers typically have more connection options than laptops. Most desktops have both USB and 3.5mm microphone ports, while some higher-end models may also have XLR inputs. Desktops provide more flexibility and allow you to use microphones that connect via USB, 3.5mm or XLR cables. The ports are usually located on the front or back panel of the desktop tower.

Laptops generally only have a single 3.5mm combo audio jack for both microphone input and headphone output. Some gaming or multimedia laptops may have a separate mic input, but USB and XLR connections are rare. This limits your options to microphones with a 3.5mm plug, or you’ll need a USB adapter. The mic port on a laptop is usually located along the side or front edge.

You’ll also want to inspect your device to identify which ports are available. On a desktop, check the front and back panel for ports labeled as microphone, mic in, audio in, USB, etc. For laptops, locate the combo audio jack which accommodates both headphones and microphones.

Knowing your microphone connectivity options will allow you to choose a suitable external microphone and determine if you need any adapters. USB microphones can work on both desktops and laptops, while XLR and 3.5mm mics are best suited for desktops with multiple input ports.

Sources:

https://www.speechrecsolutions.com/guides/Audio%20Jacks%20Explained%20-%20A%20Short%20Tutorial.pdf

Select Your Microphone

There are a few main types of microphones to choose from for your external setup:

Dynamic Microphones

Dynamic microphones work by converting sound waves into an electrical current using a thin diaphragm attached to a coil of wire held within a magnetic field. They are rugged, affordable, and good at rejecting unwanted ambient noise. Dynamic mics are recommended for live vocal performances or recording loud instruments like drums.

Some popular dynamic microphone models include the Shure SM58 and the Sennheiser e835.

Condenser Microphones

Condenser microphones use an electrically charged diaphragm and capacitor to convert sound waves into an electrical signal. They produce a strong, rich, and accurate representation of the source audio across a wide frequency range. Condenser mics require phantom power and are more sensitive than dynamic mics, making them a great choice for studio vocals, acoustic instruments, and audio for video.

Popular small-diaphragm condenser models are the Rode NT5 and MXL V67i. Large diaphragm options like the Neumann TLM 102 are preferred for professional vocal recording.

USB Microphones

USB microphones have an integrated analog-to-digital converter and connect directly to a computer via USB, making setup easy. They eliminate the need for an external audio interface or preamp. USB mics are convenient for podcasting, gaming, video calls, and basic home recording like vocals and acoustic instruments.

Well-known USB microphone models include the Blue Yeti, Audio-Technica AT2020USB+, and Samson Go Mic.

When selecting your microphone, consider the directionality or polar pattern. Omnidirectional mics pick up sound equally from all directions. Bidirectional mics record from the front and back. Cardioid mics are most sensitive to sound coming from the front and reduce unwanted ambient noise.

Choosing the right external microphone for your needs and budget will greatly improve your recordings.

Purchase Required Accessories

While some microphones will come with basic accessories like a mic clip or a short XLR cable, there are several additional accessories you’ll likely need to get the most out of your external microphone setup. Some essential accessories to purchase include:

Pop filters – Pop filters are mesh screens that attach to your microphone stand between you and the mic. They help prevent distracting popping sounds on plosives and sibilants like “p”, “t”, “s”, etc. Pop filters can greatly improve vocal recording quality. See sources like this Sweetwater article for pop filter recommendations.

Shock mounts – Shock mounts suspend the microphone in a ring of elastic bands or springs to isolate and decouple it from vibrations, rumble, and handling noise. This helps minimize unwanted low end in recordings. There are shock mounts designed specifically for certain popular microphone models. Check the manufacturer’s website for which shock mount fits your mic.

Cables – You’ll need a high quality XLR microphone cable to connect your mic to your audio interface. The length you need will depend on your recording setup. 10-25 feet is typical for a home studio. Look for cables with good shielding and connectors to prevent interference and noise in your signal. This Audio-Technica guide has cable tips.

Stands/booms – A sturdy microphone stand or boom arm gives you flexibility in positioning your mic. Consider factors like height, reach, foldability, and portability when selecting a stand. You’ll also need a mic clip that fits your particular microphone. Sturdy desktop stands are also available if you don’t need arm positioning.

Connect Your Microphone

Connecting an external microphone to your computer or mobile device is straightforward once you have the right accessories. There are a few main ways to connect microphones:

USB Microphones: These mics plug directly into a USB port on your computer using a USB cable. No additional adapters are required. USB mics like the Blue Yeti and Audio-Technica AT2020USB provide great quality sound with simple plug-and-play connectivity.

XLR Microphones: Professional XLR mics require an audio interface with an XLR input to connect with computers. The microphone plugs into the interface via an XLR cable, and then the interface connects to your PC or Mac via USB. Audio interfaces like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 allow XLR mics to integrate seamlessly.

3.5mm Microphones: Many consumer mics use a 3.5mm or 1/8″ headphone jack to connect. You’ll need a TRRS adapter like the Apple Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter to plug into a smartphone (Source). For computers, a simple 3.5mm aux cable will suffice.

The key is purchasing the necessary cables, adapters, and interfaces to match your microphone’s connections. With the right accessories, hooking up an external mic takes just a minute or two.

Configure Your Operating System

Once you have your microphone connected to your computer, you’ll need to configure your operating system to detect and use the external microphone as the input source. The steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac OS.

Windows

On Windows 10 and 11:

1. Open the Start menu and go to Settings > System > Sound
2. Under Input, select your external microphone from the dropdown menu
3. You may need to enable options like “Listen to this device” to hear your mic input
4. Adjust the volume levels as needed

For more details, refer to Microsoft’s guide on setting up microphones in Windows.

Mac OS

On Mac:

1. Go to System Preferences > Sound
2. Switch to the Input tab
3. Select your external microphone
4. Adjust levels and listen to test your mic

Make sure you select the appropriate input source in individual audio apps as well. Refer to Apple’s Mac microphone support documentation for more help.

Configure Your Recording Software

Once you have connected your external microphone, the next step is to configure your recording software to recognize and use the mic. This involves two key steps:

Setting Input Levels

Most recording software like Audacity or Garageband have input level meters that allow you to monitor the incoming signal from your microphone. Make sure the input level is not too loud causing clipping or distortion, but also not too quiet resulting in a noisy signal. Adjust the physical mic gain knob if available to get the optimum recording level.

Selecting the Mic in App Settings

Within your recording software, there will be a setting to select the audio input device. Make sure this is set to your external microphone, and not the built-in mic or other input. This ensures the software is capturing audio from the correct source. Refer to the app user guide if unsure where this setting is located.

For example, in Audacity, you can select your microphone from the list of available recording devices in the Audio Setup toolbar.

Position Your Microphone

Proper microphone positioning is critical for capturing clear audio recordings without background noise. There are some best practices to follow:

Place the microphone close to your mouth, but not directly in front. Positioning the mic slightly off-axis, between 6-12 inches away, can help reduce plosives and breath sounds while still picking up your voice clearly. Point the top of the microphone towards your mouth.

Angle the microphone slightly to the side of your mouth, rather than straight on, following the “line of projection.” This prevents popping sounds and avoids breathing directly into the mic. However, don’t angle it too far away that audio volume drops.

Use a microphone stand or boom arm to secure the microphone in position. This prevents unwanted vibrations. Position the mic slightly above your mouth pointed downwards, avoiding aiming directly at the mouth. Mount shock mounts can also reduce vibrations.

Point the microphone away from any background noise sources. Face the rear of uni-directional microphones towards monitors, keyboards or other ambient sounds. For omni-directional mics, position it between yourself and any background noise.

Position microphones away from reflective surfaces which can cause echo. If needed, use acoustic foam panels or sound blankets to absorb sound reflections.

When recording, stay a consistent distance from the microphone. Don’t make sudden movements which can cause unwanted sound variations.

Sources:

https://www.izotope.com/en/learn/studio-vibes.html

https://rode.com/en/about/news-info/how-to-position-your-microphone-for-streaming

Test and Adjust the Sound

Once your microphone is set up, it’s important to test it and make any necessary adjustments to ensure optimal sound quality. Here are some tips for testing and adjusting your external microphone’s sound:

Record some test audio by speaking into the microphone at your normal volume and tone while recording on your computer. Play back the test recording and listen closely to judge the sound quality. Is the audio clear or muffled? Too quiet or too loud? Is there any background noise or static?

Make adjustments based on the test recording. If the sound is muffled, try adjusting the microphone’s position or increasing the recording volume level on your computer. If there’s background noise, try moving the microphone closer to your mouth or enabling noise suppression if available. You may need to adjust the gain/volume levels in your operating system sound settings or recording software.

After making adjustments, test again until you are satisfied with the sound quality. Getting the levels right and minimizing background noise is key for productive recording or calls.

Refer to your microphone and recording software’s documentation for guidance on configuration settings. Online microphone testing tools like Online Mic Test can also help troubleshoot issues.

Maintenance

Properly maintaining your external microphone is crucial for ensuring it continues to capture high-quality audio over time. Here are some tips for taking care of your microphone:

For storage, keep the microphone in its protective case when not in use. Avoid exposing it to excessive heat, cold, or moisture which could cause damage. Store cables neatly coiled and secured with velcro ties to prevent tangling.

Periodically clean the microphone with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and debris. For foam windscreen covers, use only warm water or diluted hydrogen peroxide for cleaning. Avoid soap or liquid cleaners which can leave residue (Shure). Also replace windscreen covers periodically as they wear out.

Check cables and connections for damage or corrosion. Replace damaged cables and use a cable strain relief to prevent cable damage near the connectors. Keep unused connectors and ports covered. Consider purchasing a microphone stand or boom if needed to properly position and secure the mic.

With proper maintenance and care, an external microphone can provide pristine audio capture for many years. Taking simple steps to store, clean, and protect the microphone and cables will go a long way.