microphones

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Universal

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Dumb question, but I received a new mic for Christmas, and don't know how to plug it into my computer. I have a Dell Dimension, 8200 and the mic is a ATR 30 from Audio-Technica.
Thanks
 
What kind of soundcard do you have? You need one that has XLR inputs.
 
Oh boy...

You will need an external soundcard with XLR inputs. Do NOT use converters to 1/8 or 1/4 jacks.

Get some kind of preamp. Usually, there are ones with the soundcard, but no always.

Do you have something that can give off phantom power? You are going to need that as well

If an external soundcard is out of your reach finanically, just getting a small mixer with phantom power and preamps should do just fine. It will, for now, solve all three of those problems listed above, until you do some research into the plethora of options available to you and your computer...
 
One of the Joe meeks will work, its like a single channel out of a mixer...with compression.(and phantom power)
 
Ok...you don't need a soundcard with XLR inputs...in fact most soundcards with external breakout boxes use 1/4" line inputs & outputs.

That AT mic is very much on the low end of the scale, and should have included a cable with a 1/4" plug. You should be able to use a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter to plug the mic into the "MIC IN" port on your soundcard.

Most recording and live sound microphones are designed to be plugged into balanced XLR inputs - only the very cheap mics are designed to be plugged into hign impedence 1/4" inputs, like those found on kareokee machines and portable "Mr. Microphone" devices.

The others are right, however, in that it is definately recommended that you eventually purchase a microphone preamp. The mic preamp on your soundcard will suck. Good starter preamps are the AudioBuddy from m-Audio with 2 channels for $79 and the ART Tube MP for $99. There are tons of other preamps to choose from in the low price ranges.

It is also recommended that you purchase a bit more microphone. I know it being a gift and all it's kind of tough, but you could do a whole lot better. Two great "starter" microphones that you'll find in every single studio on the planet are the Shure SM57 and SM58, both of which can be found in the $70-100 range.

Slackmaster 2000
 
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