How to Set the Mic on the Computer Correctly

With the growth of live streaming, more and more individuals are beginning their first live streaming attempts. They use live streaming to interact with others and share their life. More people want to begin live streaming but don't know how to record their voices. In order to assist you in resolving problems about live streaming, we have developed a set of in-depth and simple-to-follow lessons.

Digital Output Connection

If your computer is a Windows or MacOs system, and if your mic supports digital output, such as our BoomX-D PRO, VDLive10, or STA-U1, you can directly connect the mic to the computer using a USB cable. And the computer can automatically identify the mic as the default input and output device, making it truly plug and play.

In the digital output, the device name of the mic can be displayed directly on the computer after connection. For example, after connecting the VDLive10 to the computer, you will directly see a device named Comica_VDLive10 in the audio settings.

Analog Output Connection

*Connect to your laptop

What if my mic only has a 3.5mm analog output? When you are using a laptop, you need to judge whether the 3.5mm audio interface on the laptop is a 3-section TRS or a 4-section TRRS. If the computer has only one audio interface, it is usually TRRS. If there are two audio interfaces, one should be TRS. However, desktop computers generally have TRS interfaces. If TRRS interfaces are used, there will be a two-in-one headset logo.

* Difference between analog and digital outputs.

Analog output is to directly output an analog signal, which can be directly read and processed by the device. It can be used with cameras and other devices that use a 3.5mm audio interface. The analog output is directly converted into a sound waveform signal, which is compatible with more devices and has fast transmission, but distortion will occur due to various reasons during the transmission process.

The digital output is to output a digital signal. The digital signal output by the USB interface can be used for mobile phones and other devices without a 3.5mm audio interface, and can also be used for computers, tablets, and other devices with a USB interface. Output stereo, transfer recording files and other large files to the computer, with strong stability and accurate signals. And the sound quality of the digital output is better. Therefore, we recommend that phones and computer users choose USB microphones, which will get better results.

*Choice of audio cables

How to identify the interface and choose the corresponding cables to connect. How do you know what kind of interface your laptop or PC uses?

Most laptops work well when we use the TRS-TRRS audio cable to connect the mic. Some computers use TRS/TRRS automatic adaptive design when we use the TRS-TRRS cable. If the computer recognizes the microphone but there is no sound, this issue is usually solved by switching the audio cable to a TRS-TRS one.

*Connect to your MacOS computer

If you are using a macOS system, whether it is a MacBook, a Mac mini, or an iMac, their 3.5mm interfaces are TRRS, and only support TRRS. The Mac OS system will automatically set the external mic as the default mic, which is much more intuitive and convenient to set up.

*Analog output setup

Once connected, an audio input device will appear on your computer. At this time, we need to click on the small speaker icon on the computer, select "Sound", and then switch to the "Recording" tab. Audio equipment can be seen and set as the "default device".

Software Settings

After the connection and settings are completed, open the Live Streaming software. The default mic is the one we just selected. If you need further settings or want to add multiple audio sources, you can manage audio devices in the computer's audio settings and in the settings of the live streaming software.