Should I use line in or mic in?

A microphone input is typically a very low level signal, and is mono. A line in will be expecting a much higher input level, and will usually be stereo. The sound card should have an additional pre-amp stage for the mic to bring it up to line levels.

Can I use the microphone jack as an audio input?

Physically plug the microphone into the 3.5 mm microphone input of the computer (or the headphone jack). Select the microphone to be the audio input of the computer and/or software. Adjust the input level within the computer.

What is line in mic in?

Line in is the audio jack found on an audio device that can be used to connect to another audio output device or microphone. Line in could be either digital or analog. The core functionality of the line-in jack is to aid in audio recording or manipulate the incoming audio.

Can I use headphone jack as line in?

Short answer: No. The Headphone Jack is designed as an output only.

What can you plug a microphone into?

Microphones will typically plug into one of the following:

• Microphone Preamplifier Input (Mixer, Recorder, Audio Interface)
• In-Line Device (Pad, HPF, Standalone Preamp)
• Audio Snake.
• Speaker Directly.
• Other Devices (Guitar/Bass Amp, Smartphone, Computer, Camera)

How do you plug a microphone into a laptop?

USB microphone First, locate any available USB port and plug the microphone into it. They are found on the front, back, or sides of desktop, laptop, and all-in-one computers. Once connected, the computer should automatically detect the microphone and install the drivers for it.

Is headphone out the same as line out?

But what exactly is the difference between a Line Out and Headphone Out? Line Out (or Line Output) is an audio port that is used to send line-level audio signals from one audio device to another. On the other hand, Headphone Out is an audio port that delivers an amplified line-level signal meant to drive headphones.

Do headphones go in line in or line out?

Purists will tell you its always best to use the players headphone out as the line out is bypassing the internal amp section of the source and the output impedance mentioned. I myself use the headphone out always but you’re not hurting anything if the volume is suitable enough.

Can you connect headphone out to line in?

Yup. Plug your headphone out from your device into your line input, adjust the volume on the device for a comfortable level. Most portable players drive line inputs at full volume or perhaps a bit less, just make sure the player isn’t set for EQ or tone control when you do that. The adjustment is not critical at all.

Can I use Lineline inputs with my Microphone?

Line inputs are not designed for microphones. Although it is possible to use them and it won’t harm your mic, there is not enough gain to amplify the microphones level to a line input. If the device the microphone is being connected to is only line level, you will need to connect your mic to a preamp then connect the preamp to the line input.

What is the difference between a mic-in and a line-in?

A mic-in is the input designed to handle the mic-level signal intensity (from a microphone) and line-in is designed to handle line level intensity. That’s why you have an inaudible signal when you plug your microphone into a line-level input. So you can think of signal level as “volume” if you want to simplify things.

Can you amplify a microphone level to a line input?

Although it is possible to use them and it won’t harm your mic, there is not enough gain to amplify the microphones level to a line input. If the device the microphone is being connected to is only line level, you will need to connect your mic to a preamp then connect the preamp to the line input.

How do I Turn on the mic/line-in on my laptop?

On models with normal jacks — one for headphones and one for mic/line-in — the laptop doesn’t try to guess your purpose. Instead it pops up a dialog box where you select whether you mean to use the line-in or mic configuration.