Perhaps one of the most significant events in the history of mankind can be considered the invention of the microphone, because with its appearance people were finally able to hear the voices of even once dead people, so the memory of the latter is spread in an endless stream of time and nations. Not every modern user thinks about how everything is arranged not only from the outside, but also inside the computer, although understanding such things will certainly help in identifying various problems with equipment, for example, with a microphone. In this article we will try to tell you everything about checking the microphone, as well as how it can be repaired at home. This article is recommended exclusively for users of the Windows operating system.
Common problems with modern microphones
To begin with, it’s worthwhile to figure out which microphones are the most popular in the modern electronic equipment market. Many couch experts will say that they are exclusively capacitive, because thanks to the smoothing effect, the sound at the output is crystal clear and elegant.
Other people will say that there is nothing better than the well-known and favorite microphones on a magnetic coil, because they are time-tested. We tell you right away: these two types of microphones are good in their own way, but the problem of failure is not at all in them, since the microphone consists of the following parts:
- Electromagnetic coil.
- If a condenser microphone, then there is a board.
- A wire of thin metal, woven with a single thread, so that the metal does not spring and does not fail too quickly.
This was a description of one of the cheapest microphones, because the more expensive ones, for example, Blue Yeti, already have their own amplifier, but such a microphone costs at least 20 thousand rubles, and at the time of 2013, now this figure is completely sky-high, so many of our fellow citizens prefer to buy cheap microphones, because they are not so sorry to throw them out.
This is where the main problem arises, because the materials in such microphones are the cheapest. Take the same cable. He has a conclusion from the microphone body itself, as well as a plug - these are two of the most dangerous places for a microphone. If they are not equipped with strong and flexible rubber, then the wire will come to an end very soon. The metal is not flexible enough, so after several months of use, you will hear that various artifacts appear in the sound.
Also, sometimes the most important thing in a computer in terms of sound - a sound card - fails. Of course, you can buy a separate one, insert it and use it, but before it takes too much time until there is the very reason for the breakdown. Sound cards fail, usually due to power surges. Although the differences affect the whole equipment quite badly, the sound card especially, as well as the network one.
In the next paragraph of the article we will tell you in detail about how the microphone is tested for performance. Such a procedure is an important step in finding the real cause of the problem. The paragraph below will use standard Windows microphone verification utilities.
Listening
To begin with, make sure that Jack is firmly connected to your computer - this is such a pink plug. Of course, the plug itself can be of any color that the manufacturer only wants, but according to the standard on the back or front of the computer, the socket for this plug is exclusively pink, and for headphones it is green, do not confuse.
After connecting the device, the drivers will not be installed, because they are not needed for such devices. Now we have to do as described in the instructions below.
Instructions for checking the microphone on the computer:
- We connect the device, we check at the same time the integrity of the cable.
- We go to the "Control Panel", we look among the "Equipment and Sound", we go there.
- Click on “Sound”, after which absolutely all recording devices will be shown in the “Record” tab.
- Try to make noise, if the microphone responded to it, then everything works perfectly. You can also double-click on the active microphone and configure it for yourself, as well as levels - this is the volume of the microphone.
- If you want to hear the quality of the microphone, then click on the checkmark opposite the inscription "Listen", and then - "Apply."
By the way, checking the microphone on the headphones in this way can only be done if you have a combined audio jack. If you have green and pink on your computer, then in any case, the microphone or headphones will not work, one thing, it all depends on the manufacturer.
Microphone Checker
If you want to customize your microphone, we recommend that you do not use anything extra. If you have a regular microphone, to which there is not even a special amplifier, then there is no use from professional sound processing programs. Open the same microphone setup window, as we already said, then turn on listening and adjust the sound levels. Find a middle ground, after which we recommend that you install or launch Skype.
This program has a special bot that you can call, and it will tell you about noise levels, communication quality and much more. Economical, fast and very high quality. However, if you have professional equipment for recording sound, we recommend that you find the box from under the device, and then find special drivers and configuration software in it, only it can fine-tune your technique.
How to repair a microphone at home
First you’ll have to check the microphone. If the results are bad, then it is worth repairing. Open the housing and inspect the pads for damage.
If there are chips or broken wiring, then take the usual soldering acid, tin and solder. We also recommend that you buy a reliable audio cable at the hardware store, but not too long, not more than 30 centimeters, and not too thick, otherwise the sound will be disgusting, literally saturated with the noise of space, but not your voice.
Should I buy Chinese microphones?
Yes, if you are an aspiring blogger or singer. Microphones in the price range from 1000 to 3000 rubles will fully fulfill all your desires, and no worse than their expensive counterparts, but you should buy them exclusively in official stores, and from well-known companies, for example, BlueDio. You can also read a lot of reviews - this is the most reliable way to find a high-quality and affordable microphone.
Finally
We hope that after reading the article on how to check the microphone with listening, you understand all the subtleties of this process. We also recommend using external sound cards - they provide a much more pleasant and smooth sound, but they cost from 2000 rubles and higher, which can hit your pocketbook, but you have to pay for everything.