Whether you are using an external microphone for communicating through programs like Skype, G-Chat, or a video game, or you are wanting to record some audio into a program like Audacity or GarageBand, you probably want your external microphone and computer to get along. If they don’t, here are some basic troubleshooting techniques that might keep you sane.
1) Make sure your computer has recognized your microphone
Mac
a) Click on “system preference” located in the apple menu at the top-left corner of your screen
b) Click on “sound” in the “hardware” menu
c) Make sure that your external microphone appears in the “Input” list
d) Make sure that your external microphone is selected in that list.
***If you do not see your external microphone, try unplugging and re-connecting all of the wires associated with your microphone****
PC
a) Open the start menu, Select Devices and Printers
b) If you do not see your microphone in the Devices Menu or in the Unspecified Menu, try unplugging your external microphone from the computer, making sure that wire is plugged firmly into the external microphone and re-plugging it
2) Make sure that the program you are using is accommodating your external microphone
This is done by going to the preferences for your specific program (this varies from program to program) and making sure that your external microphone is selected as the audio output option.
For example, in Skype: Open the Audio Settings of Skype by going to the Skype preferences menu under tools > options > audio settings
Most external microphones can be plugged directly into your USB port or headphone. Some require interface boxes (this is more common among higher-end studio recording microphones. If this were the case, your microphone would not plug anywhere into your computer. You would probably know if this were the case).
These steps work most of the time. If they do not, you can also try re-booting your computer or reflecting on whether your external microphone is functional and whether your computer is capable of recognizing external microphones.
As always, don’t hesitate to come into the MEWS consultant help hours if you are still having difficulties and we can aid you in person!