By installing a microphone on your computer you can expand its potential and functionality. The microphones are marketed in different models, depending on the manufacturer and the method of use. In order to best configure your microphone, you will need to change the settings according to your needs. Natively, Windows 8 provides all the tools to properly configure a microphone.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Properly Install a Microphone
If you already know the model of the microphone in your possession and you have already connected it to the computer correctly, you can go directly to the configuration phase.
Step 1. Plug the USB microphone or headphones equipped with a microphone into one of the free USB ports on your computer
Normally, USB ports are identified by a classic icon, characterized by a trident on the tips of which are depicted a circle, an arrow and a square.
Step 2. If you have a microphone with a single audio connector, plug it into the microphone input jack on your computer
This input port is characterized by a small microphone icon, usually identifiable by the red / pink color.
Step 3. If you have purchased headphones with a microphone that have two audio connectors, be very careful
Normally, you will need to plug the red / pink connector (or a microphone icon) into the computer input jack dedicated to this audio device.
If you wish, you can plug the other connector into the headphone jack on your computer. Note that if you already have an audio system connected to your computer or if you do not want all the sounds played to go through the headphones, this step is not mandatory
Step 4. If your microphone has a single link connector, which has three black stripes, you need to look for a specific input port for this type of link
In this case, to be able to connect, the computer must have a special input jack, which can be characterized by a single icon, that of the headphones, or two icons, that of the microphone and that of the headphones. There are adapters on the market that convert this type of connectors so that they can be used via a USB port or normal audio jack, but normally they must be purchased separately.
Step 5. Learn to connect a Bluetooth microphone or headphones to your computer
The first thing to do is to check if the computer supports Bluetooth connectivity: if so, to be able to connect it via Bluetooth to the computer, you will simply have to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the microphone.
Part 2 of 3: Configuring a Microphone
Step 1. Go to the "Start" screen
Step 2. Press the "Search" button, then type the following search string manage audio devices
At this point, select the "Manage Audio Devices" icon that appears in the list of results and the "Audio" panel will appear.
Step 3. Locate your microphone
From the "Audio" panel, go to the "Recording" tab. A properly installed microphone should appear in the list on this tab: it will have a green check mark icon in the lower right corner. If there are multiple recording devices connected to the system, speak into the microphone you wish to use and observe which input volume indicator reacts (it is a vertical green bar), displaying the strength of the audio signal. After receiving confirmation that the microphone is connected to your computer and working correctly, you will be ready to use it.
Step 4. Troubleshoot a microphone that is not detected
If you are sure that you have correctly connected the microphone to the computer, but the device is not listed in the "Recording" tab of the "Audio" panel, select any empty spot in the list with the right mouse button, then choose the item "Show disabled devices ". With the right mouse button select all the disabled devices or input sources in order to enable them for use. Then proceed to test the operation of your microphone by talking to it or blowing into it.
Part 3 of 3: Adjusting the Microphone Levels
Step 1. Open the "Audio" control panel
After using the microphone, you may want to adjust its recording volume so that it best detects your voice. Try making these adjustments directly through the program that currently uses the microphone; if the voice is still too loud or too low, you can make further changes via the "Audio" control panel. Go to the "Start" screen, press the "Search" button and type the following search string manage audio devices. Then select the "Manage audio devices" icon that appears in the list of results. The "Audio" panel will appear.
Step 2. Open your microphone's "Properties" window
From the "Audio" panel, go to the "Recording" tab, select the microphone in use, then press the "Properties" button.
Step 3. Adjust the sound levels
From the "Microphone Properties" panel, access the "Levels" tab. Change the sliders on this tab to adjust the level of the input volume and signal amplification. Move them to the right to increase the volume of the signal acquired by the device, vice versa, move them to the left to reduce it.
