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How To Connect a Microphone To Your PC Computer, Laptop, Mac or iPad

How To Connect a Microphone To Your PC Computer, Laptop, Mac or iPad

How To Connect Mic To ComputerHow to connect a microphone to a PC Computer or laptop and start making audio recordings is one of your most frequently asked questions. Nearly all computers have a mic port (nowadays often combined with a headphone port), so it should be possible to directly connect a dynamic mic if you have the appropriate jack for the socket.

However, while using this method will be appropriate for beginners and those recording for your own use only, musicians, video makers and podcasters who want a more professional sound will probably be disappointed with the quality of this method, and may also find the recording ability of the computer’s built in sound card is not fantastic.

Also, it is not possible to directly connect a condenser microphone to a simple computer mic port – it won’t work.

So let’s look at a few options if you are looking to make professional standard recordings using a mic and your laptop, iPad, mac or PC. And if you are here because you want to improve the sound quality on your videos then do read this post which will tell you how to make your videos sound good.

1. USB Microphones

Audio Technica AT2020USB Plus

The Audio Technica AT2020USB+ Click to Buy On Your Local Amazon

A really neat one-stop solution for recording on your computer, and one which will offer a considerable improvement in quality over a generic computer microphone and sound card combination, is to consider a USB mic. A USB microphone is a high quality microphones which simply plugs straight into your USB port – perfect for musicians on the move with laptops, but equally at home in the desktop music studio. Also a really good option with the iPad and other tablets. USB mics are compatible with both PC and Mac operating systems – they just plug and play so you can get started really quickly. They represent excellent value because there is no requirement to purchase any additional hardware, and are very easy to install and use.

Particularly good for the vocalists who want to record over backing tracks are the microphones which have a headphone output because you can ‘direct monitor’ through headphones – in other words listen to the track while you are singing along. These are equally simple to set up and use in this way and will produce really good recording results. If you just want to make good quality recordings one track at a time, or if you are thinking about voiceovers for videos etc then you do not need to be so concerned about the headphone output and you may prefer the features and equipment of the larger USB studio mics.

While you are choosing your mic, think about whether you need to purchase a stand, shockmount or recording booth at the same time. Unless you are using a handheld dynamic microphone you will at least require a stand, though you will find that most USB microphones come with a small desktop stand to get you started.

USB Microphones have become so popular that every major microphone manufacturer makes at least one, and the choice can be confusing. To help you out we have put together the ultimate guide to the best USB microphones. You can listen to what the most popular sound like, side by side, watch videos of how they look up close, and compare their key features. It is a really useful guide to USB Mics, with a detailed review of all the most popular.

4 Tried And Trusted USB Microphones To Consider

Blue Yeti USB MicrophoneBlue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone Plus and Play USB Mic with gain control, mute button, zero-latency headphone output. Perfect for vocals, musical instruments, podcasting, voiceovers, interviews, field recordings and conference calls
Audio Technica AT2020USB+Audio-Technica ATR2020USB+ Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone Condenser microphone with USB output for easy connection to your computer. Built-in headphone jack allows you to directly monitor your microphone output without audible delay. Adjust headphone volume with easy-to-use control on the front of the microphone, and has a monitor-mix dial too.
Samson Meteor Mic USB Studio MicrophoneSamson Meteor Mic USB Studio Microphone Nice chrome plated design, and a universal solution for recording music on your computer. Perfect for your home studio, Meteor Mic is also ideal for Skype, iChat or voice recognition software. With stereo 1/8-inch headphone output for no latency monitoring and headphone volume knob give you complete control.
Rode NT-USB MicrophoneRode NT-USB USB Condenser Microphone High quality studio microphone with the convenience of USB connectivity. Ultra-low noise.

All the above are well reviewed and highly rated USB microphones, robust and easy to set up and use out of the box. A really cost effective way to kickstart your home recording studio on a budget. Do, though, check out our detailed reviews of the 12 most popular USB microphones.

2. USB Audio Interface

mic connected to computer via audio interfaceWhat if you want more than just a USB mic? Maybe you want to start up a small home studio with more capability than just one microphone input. Well the next thing to look at is a dedicated USB Audio interface that is specifically designed to allow a mic (or several microphones) to be connected, and usually other instruments as well – we have articles on exactly what is an audio interface if you want to know more, and then how to choose the right audio interface for your home recording studio needs. These USB audio interfaces already have the necessary pre-amps and software to give you a really high quality recording result on your PC or Mac without the need to install a PCI sound card, so they are also great for mobile recording on a laptop or notebook and easily transferable if you upgrade your system in the future, but you will need to purchase a microphone and cables separately if you don’t already own a mic.

Many interfaces feature a mic pre-amp and line/guitar in with gain so they are perfect for vocalists, guitarists and instrumentalists. Check whether the device you are looking at has phantom power or not and remember you will also need an XLR cable to connect the microphone to the interface,and headphones or powered speakers for monitoring. The sound will come out of the interface, not your computer so if you currently listen through your computer speakers you will need to bear this in mind.

If you require an interface with phantom power (most condenser mics require this unless they are self-powered) then make sure the interface you pick does have a phantom switch or you will end up having to buy a separate power supply. While you are checking this, think about many microphone/line inputs you require, and also look at what software comes with the audio interface for a neat out of the box one-stop recording solution.

Some interfaces also have MIDI in/out so you can also connect up a keyboard or digital piano making them really versatile and multi-functional.

Popular USB Audio Interface Bundles With Professional Mic Input and Microphone

Below are our favourite usb audio interface bundles. You can read full reviews and details of how to set up these all-in-one recording studio packages. These are easily the best way to get a quality microphone and interface for a reasonable sum of money.

Focusrite Scarlett StudioFocusrite Scarlett Studio USB Audio Interface Recording Package Contains high quality condenser microphone, referencing headphones, and Scarlett XLR mic cable
Focusrite iTrack StudioFocusrite iTrack Studio Complete Recording Package for iPad, Mac and PC Studio-quality recording package for your iPad, Mac, or PC, includes CM25S studio-quality condensor microphone, HP60S studio monitoring headphones and cables
M-Audio Vocal Studio Pro Complete Mic Recording StudioM-Audio Vocal Studio PRO Complete Vocal Studio Package  Everything you need to start recording in one box: M-Audio M-Track Interface, large diaphragm vocal microphone, studio headphones plus great suite of recording software
Presonus iTwo Studio Audio Interface Recording BundlePresonus iTwo Studio Audio Interface Recording Bundle Aimed at musicians and producers seeking a portable high quality audio solution, this is a complete mobile hardware/software recording studio in a box that works on iPad, Mac and Windows. Contains professional microphone, interface, headphones and software plus the cables you need.
eBay LogoPrefer to shop on eBay? Search right here:

Common Questions:

What are the different types of microphones?

If you have yet to choose a microphone, then you should refer to our ultimate guide to types of microphones, in which we look at what all those technical terms on the spec sheet actually mean. Plus we look at which mics are best for different recording situations. If you already know what kind of microphone you need, then read more about the best condenser mics and the best dynamic mics.

What is phantom power?

In most condenser mics, a power source is needed to maintain an electrical charge between the elements inside. Many pre-amps and audio/MIDI interfaces have an AC power supply built into them for use by a condenser mic. This is called a phantom power supply, meaning that the electrical power is carried up the cable that attaches the mic to the pre-amp or interface. Most condensor mics (apart from all our USB ones) require a phantom power supply, but dynamic mics do not.

What is a pre-amp?

A pre-amp is a device that amplifies the signal from your microphone to make it strong enough to be usable by the computer. You can buy a versatile external interface that combines a soundcard and pre-amp, connecting via the USB port, or the other option is to buy a dedicated pre-amp or mixer with the appropriate signal.

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Comments

  1. Hello thanks for the information..
    If you have got a mixer amp, do I need an external sound card?

    • If you want to record from your mixer amp you could try connecting it to your mic/line in on your computer, but will get better results from a pro quality external soundcard

  2. Hi! I have a condenser mic and recently got the alto zmx52 for Christmas.. As it doesn’t have a USB port I can’t work out how to connect it to the laptop.. I don’t want to have to take it back as it’s perfect for live audio.. Is there anyway I can connect it to the laptop?

    • You could try taking the line out from the Alto Mixer to the line/mic in on your laptop and see what quality you got. Make sure you turn the mic boost off in the Windows control panel on the sound settings, and turn volume down, gradually increasing til you get the right level. The other option (better) would be to purchase a USB audio interface and run the mixer through that for recording on your computer.

  3. Hey jane, I just ordered a shure dynamic microphone online for karaoke and warding off the mice under my bed. Lol (sorry, i’m kidding). However I wish to record it over my PC too. Will any ordinary xlr to USB cable do the job? To be specific, it’s a plain AGPtex 3M xlr to USB cable.
    Will the recording result be a dull one?
    Or Should I just order another condenser microphone?
    P.s: I just wanna record it for fun and not for professional use.

    • You should be able to hook the shure dynamic microphone directly to your pc via the XLR to USB cable. Especially if it is just for fun.

  4. Hi,
    I am having a lot of confusing problems with my USB Samson Meteor Mic cancelling out my Internal Laptop speakers during playback of a recording. I downloaded a Free MixPad software so I know it is recording stuff but, I cannot hear any playback. I’ve done systems diagnostic checks over and over and cannot find the solution to this problem. SOS-HELP!

    • Hi, the Samson Meteor Mic has a headphone output – have you tried connecting your headphones to the mic? I expect the sound is coming out there. You could change this by choosing a different default output device in the sound settings in the Windows Control Panel

  5. Hi. I’ve bought an audio interface but now need a mic, can only find lists of good USB mics..
    Which isn’t the type I need
    I will be using it to record music (vocals and guitar) do you have any suggestions on great microphones ? Thank you.

  6. Hello, im a rap artist and i need to record my vocals. is it a must to buy an audio interface, xlr and so on to record my vocals or can i just use the mic as input to my home studio software? and please do suggest whether to use condenser mic or dynamic mic to record rap vocals?

    • You will get best results with an audio interface and professional mic. Next best is a high quality USB mic. If you are just starting out on a budget then you can try relying on the microphone port of your computer – but you will need to use a dynamic mic, you will not be able to directly connect a condenser in this way

  7. I have a TONER CONDENSER MIC and i have a headphone jack thing. But only one plug how do i get that mic to get my voice instead of use it as headphones???? Please help

    • Maybe you don’t have a microphone input. If you only have one jack and you have a macbook it is possible that you can use the apple adapter for headphones and mic https://www.musicrepo.com/mac-headset-adapter. If not then you will need some kind of audio interface. Also if the condenser mic is not self-powered it will not work connected directly up to the microphone port – it will require a phantom power supply

  8. Hey, I recently bought a laptop with one jack port and I can’t connect headphones and mic at the same time. I also bought a mini-mixer and speakers but I can’t connect em because of that one jack port. Any suggestions?

  9. just wondering. Can you use a mic that is hooked up via usb to the computer and use the focusrite at the same time.

    • Hi, you can if your software will support more than one interface, and if that is what you already have. But you would be better if starting from scratch buying a non-USB mic to connect through the Focusrite.

  10. is there a wireless option? i’m making fitness videos so i’m moving a lot.

  11. Hi
    I recently bought a shure pg xlr 48 dynamic microphe for voice overs and singing.It works well with my laptop but not with my Desktop PC (poor audio quality).Can you help???

  12. Hi, I’m confused as to what I need to buy for my condenser mic to work through my laptop. I understand I need phantom power, but can I buy a phantom power supply that I can connect to my laptop as well as my microphone?

    • Hi, sure you can connect a condenser mic to the Alto ZMX52 as it does supply phantom power. However it is not an audio interface, so you will have to output the mixer to the input of an audio interface, or the the line input of your sound card to make a recording on your computer.

  14. Hi, jane i real interested from your directin details, I want to know if i can connect the mic direct to the laptop’s mic jack, and using the internal laptop sound card for recoeding and if yes; will I get the quality vocal..?

    • Hi, you can record a mic direct to your computer’s microphone port, but it will have to be a dynamic mic or a self-powered condenser. You will not get the best quality without buying either an audio interface and a pro quality microphone OR a good quality USB microphone. But you will be able to make a recording of sorts that won’t be too bad, depending on your computer.

  15. hi Jane,
    i am planning to buy Focusrite Scarlet 2i2. I have a technical question. From what i read(wiki) phantom power is 12V, 24V or 48V. But the power output of USB is 5V. So, if i connect Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 to USB port of my laptop, i am running it(Scarlet 2i2) on USB power, which is 5V. How can an audio interface generate phantom power to mic connected to it? as if device running on 5V is generating much higher power(12-48V).
    Thanks for the article.

    • I have an interface running on USB that provides 48v phantom power. To be honest I had never thought about the power difference between USB and phantom. There must be some kind of stepper inside the device. I have no idea how it works but it does! I am sure you will love the Focusrite, it is a very well reviewed and popular interface, and if the phantom power didn’t work on USB then there would be lots of protesting going on! Hope that reassures you. https://www.musicrepo.com/Scarlett-2i2

  16. I am wondering what to do. I am plugging this Shure Beta SM27 into a USB/Firewire Audio Kontrol 1 interface from Native Instruments right? And, I am connecting the guitar through the guitar effects and then into the amplifier. This is a ‘stand alone system’ which is connected parallely around the interface for the purpose of getting the most RAW-sound out of the recording. Now, this is what I am wondering onto. How am I getting the sound emanating from the amplifier, which the microphone is receiving, through the interface, into the computer’s recording software? Please note that the software that included with the NI audio kontrol 1 interface is mainly for DJ’s or for those who wish to connect the guitar directly into the interface without amplification. (I am not one of those).

    • Hi, you should be able to select the microphone in as the default to record direct into any recording software, assuming you ahve your Audio Kontrol correctly connected and installed. If you are on Windows then try looking at the recording devices in the control panel, there should be a meter and you will be able to see when you play a note that a signal is being received. Your interface has both and instrument and a mic input, just make sure you have selected the mic input in your software. Hope that helps.

  17. Hi

    I am looking for a wireless lavelier microphone which can be connected with my laptop.
    can you suggest me a wireless mic which can be connected with a computer.

    I am a trainer an i need this to launch my class online.

    I am ok if i need to buy a amlifier with the mic.

    Thanks
    Lokesh

    • Hi Lokesh, To be honest with you I am unable to recommend any wireless lavalier microphone as I do not have any personal experience. I use a computer based system in a home studio environment and have no need of wireless. I have recently purchased an Audio Technica Pro 70 Lavalier (link below)
      https://www.musicrepo.com/audio-technica-pro70
      and it really is absolutely superb. I use it for video work. I was put off buying wireless because you do have to spend a lot more money to get a good quality wireless lavalier mic, as far as I could see in the reviews. I am sorry I can’t help you more, if you really need wireless to do the job. But if you could use a wired mic then that one works really well.
      To get it to work on my computer I run it through a USB audio interface with XLR input to mic pre-amp. It does work OK on iPad directly with the appropriate connector, it makes a great quality recording, but a little quiet. I find if I hook my interface up to the iPad (it has an iPad connector) and record through that then I get a fantastic result.
      So if you do find a good recommendation for a wireless mic system, you will then need to think about running it through pre-amp and if you don’t already have one you may as well purchase a good interface with built-in pre-amp to make the best quality recording. Hope that helps. All the best, Jane

    • Hi, an XLR to USB cable IS a form of USB interface. You don’t need any other equipment, it is designed to connect a mic straight to your computer. Do watch, though as many XLR-USB cables do not provide any phantom power so may not work with a condenser mic.

      • Hi,

        I have recently bought a rode nt1a microphone and was looking for a suitable interface. I am torn between two different ones. Would you recommend the focusrite one or the personus audiobox?

        Kind Regards

        Sam

      • I am more familiar with the excellent focusrite range, but the presonus are also a good brand. I think either will do the job, so it probably comes down to the software they come with, inputs and outputs etc. Sorry I can’t be more help, but don’t overthink it. Choose on and then get recording!

      • An XLR to USB cable has embedded A/D converter and a typical one gives 16bit 48/44.1 kHz digital quality sound input. So better to use the laptop mic input direct and use the laptop soundchip A/D.

        Everything depends on the quality of the laptop soundchip A/D. If it is sufficient then no need for USB or pre amps going to the computer line in socket, just use the mic input direct.

        For example on my laptop the A/D is 44.1k/48k/96k/192kHz sample rate supporting 16/20/24-bit PCM format. So this looks better than the above mentioned cable.

      • Yes, if your laptop has good recording capabilities that is true, but many don’t so one way round it is to use an XLR-USB. Thanks for your comment.

  19. Hi jenny prince here .i just buy a mic called rode nt1a and audio interface roland duo capture i’m conecting to my laptop but i dont know whats hapning like my laptop recording my voice not my mic so let me know i need any input output cable to transfer voice???

    • Make sure you have correctly installed the Roland Duo Capture and set it as the default recording device. It sounds as if your recording software may be choosing your laptop mic as the default. If you have any problems, refer to the Roland tech support site for further info. Hope that helps

  20. That was perfect and helpful.
    One question: do both condensor and dynamic mics need pre-amps?
    When exactly do we need pre-amps?
    If I want to connect a regular dynamic mic (not a USB one) to laptop using an XLR to USB cable, do I need a pre-amp?

    • All mics need a good pre-amp to record them at best quality. Condenser mics also require phantom power. The pre-amp makes sure the signal from the mic is at the right level to record. If you buy an XLR-USB cable then it will have some kind of built-in audio interface and you will not need any pre-amp. I assume you are talking about something like the Alesis Miclink? https://www.musicrepo.com/xlr-usb
      Hope that answers your questions.

      • You only need a pre amp if you connect to the line in socket of the soundcard.

        If you connect to the mic input you don’t need a pre amp and the quality is as good as the microphone and the analog to digital converter (ADC) on the laptop soundcard.

        For modern soundcards like Intel HD Audio the ADC quality is good so you can use the mic input and not spend money on USB devices or pre amps.

      • Maybe, if you only want to connect one mic, though many people want to do more, and record more tracks at once. Also if you have a condenser mic you will need an audio interface with phantom power as you cannot connect this directly to the mic input of a laptop. Finally, my laptop has very poor microphone input so using an audio interface is a significant improvement on quality of recordings. Thank you for your input.

  21. The reason I didn’t get a USB mic is because I can only choose one USB mic or audio interface at a time. that’s why I went with the audio interface, so I can record guitar and vocal at once. Also, I am not sure if you can monitor the music on your computer as well as what you are singing with the USB mic. Also, reviewing USB mic’s on amazon and google led me to believe that USB mics are a bit more riskier.

    • Hi David, I think if you have the budget then an audio interface is more flexible and better than a USB mic, but for many people just starting out a USB mic can make a huge difference to the quality of what they are recording for a much lower initial investment. I would always recommend considering a microphone that does allow direct monitoring. Many do have a headphone output to allow this. But thank you for your feedback, most interesting. Regards, Jane

  22. Hi , im a singer and want to start putting music on youtube but i dont have a lot of money to but awsome expensive equipment i like the information you have given. So if i just get a usb microphone and headphones and plug them to my laptop i can record my music or how does it work i need help plese comment back or follow me on twitter @austinMinspira and comment to me please S.O.S

    • Hi, yes a USB mic will be the least expensive way of getting a reasonable recording of your vocals. A good cheap one is the Samson Meteor Mic here: https://www.musicrepo.com/samson-meteor-mic as it has its own headphone socket so you can direct monitor and a built-in stand so no other purchase required (other than the headphones)

  23. Hi Jane. I connected a Shure PG48 condenser mic to a female XLR with earth, cold and hot on 1,2 and 3 respectively, and the other end to a stereo prewired 1/8 jack and plugged it into my laptop. As soon as I did I got a serious buzz. What did I do wrong?

    • Hi, not surprised, you should connect a condenser mic to a suitable audio interface with pro mic input (and phantom power). The mic input on a laptop is only suitable for dynamic mics – and even then will only give average recording quality. Hope that helps a bit.

  24. hey i got a mic with JACK and i got a laptop and i have onluy one device suport to plugin the micro and then its tell meto plugin the headset or headphne or speaker out!HELP!

    • Hi, I don’t really understand this? Most laptops usually have a mic in and a headphone in. Usually you can hear the sound from the laptop speakers, or you connect headphones and listen through them (this is all assuming you are not using an external USB audio interface). Can you find a different way to phrase this question so I can try and understand what you are asking? Thanks!

      • I’m confused, do I need a pre-amp and a phantom power supply for my Neewer Condenser Mic. It comes with a straight up XLR to 3.5mm cable.

      • I assume you are referring to a mic like this one: https://www.musicrepo.com/neewer-nw-700
        The information about the product seems to say “When connected with desktop computer, the Microphone could be used alone;
        When connected with laptop computer, please connect the laptop to electrical outlet, or use a 48V phantom power to get enough power if the sound is not clear and high enough. ”
        I would give it a try, and see what result you get. If you don’t get a good recording then look for a USB audio interface that has built in pre-amp for mic and provides phantom power. For example the Focusrite Scarlett Solo https://www.musicrepo.com/scarlett-solo
        You would need to get a different cable (XLRM to XLRF) and then you should get a very good quality result.

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