Laptop microphone: varieties, best models and selection criteria

A laptop is not just a device for working and accessing the Internet, it is a real multimedia system that records, edits, plays back and sends streams of audio and video information to other computers. Any laptop has a built-in microphone, the frequency and sound characteristics of which are quite enough to communicate in Skype and other similar programs. But if you require a better sound picture, then it is better to purchase additional sound equipment. Today we will take a closer look at the principle of operation and the main types of microphones for a laptop.

Online learning, recording audio, and sending voice messages are commonplace these days. For for your subscriber to hear a loud, clear, undistorted voice, you need to acquire a high-quality speaker system, more precisely - microphones. As a rule, such equipment is very inexpensive, but you need to be able to choose the right model correctly.

Depending on the type of attachment, microphones can be table-top or with a stand; models with a clip are available for clothing. As for the principle of operation, microphones are electronic, dynamic, and condenser. Models of the first two types of power do not require, and the third need to connect an external source or a battery.

By design, they can be: hand, lapel, as well as table or head. The most compact option is a loop microphone, it is attached to clothes, so that the technique can record sounds even if the user is actively moving or is on the street. However, due to their small size, such devices do not provide the proper sound quality.

Tabletop models give a clearer and deeper sound. As a rule, their design includes a special stand, thanks to which they can be easily placed on any horizontal surface. But they also have their drawbacks - when recording, the audio head must be kept still, otherwise the distance between the equipment and the sound changes.

Head-mounted microphones are often equipped with hardware amplifiers and DACs, which dramatically increase the clarity and density of audio. In such systems, the microphone and headphones are a single device, so that they can be used for telephone conversations, when organizing voice conferences and chatting.

Modern laptop microphones can be connected via three types of contacts:

• serial USB port (not to be confused with traditional);
• 3.5 mm audio jack;
• 6.3 mm audio jack.

There are also wireless models. Before buying a microphone, you must definitely look at what type of connectors are provided on your computer, based on this, select equipment. It should be noted that most laptops are equipped with a serial USB port, as well as a 3.5 mm jack. But the 6.3 mm jack is a rarity, although microphones with this type of connection give much better sound quality. If your laptop does not have a suitable connector, then do not be upset.

Separately, it is worth dwelling on the question of how to proceed if the laptop has only one headphone input, and there is no microphone hole. Unfortunately, not all laptop computers are equipped with two full-fledged connectors, most have only one combined one. As practice shows, headphones connected to this jack work very well, but microphones are most often silent. In this case, you can either purchase a special adapter (this is practical and also quite cheap), or install an external audio card - it will take one of the available USB ports and will cost more.

And finally Consider the technique of directly connecting a microphone to a laptop. At first glance, it may seem that there is nothing complicated here - just insert the wire into a suitable connector. In practice, however, this is not at all the case, you will definitely need a driver. The best option would be to install Plug & Play, this program will install all the necessary drivers automatically.

This is a good gooseneck desktop microphone. Optimal for Skype communication, as well as voice chats and short audio messages. However, it is not suitable for high-quality video recording. Among the advantages, one can single out a small noise reduction and a democratic cost, but the noise is not completely eliminated - this is the main disadvantage of the technique.

This device can be used for voice acting non-professional videos. It is able to reduce noise and produce a fairly clear sound. The sensitivity of the equipment is very high, so there is no need to bend towards the microphone all the time during use. Perhaps the only drawback is that recording requires a fairly loud and clear sound; this model is insensitive to quiet sound.

The microphone attracts users with its laconic minimalistic design and wide range of applications. It can be used for voice acting, audio recording, as well as conversations and all kinds of online presentations. Ergonomic design allows for mobility. The undoubted advantages of such microphones include increased sensitivity, effective noise cancellation and good "liveability" with other microphones if they are connected to the same system.

When buying the optimal microphone model for a laptop, you need to pay attention to the following parameters:

• noise cancellation - the device should highlight the voice well and not reproduce third-party sound;
• frequency range - the average person speaks in the range from 100 to 10,000 Hz;
• structural strength;
• high sensitivity;
• compactness;
• directionality of signal capture;
• sound pressure level.

See below for how to choose a microphone.