Xlr to laptop mic in

oon_the_kid · 31st January 2011, 04:18 PM

I have a behringer calibration mic which has an xlr output. How do I connect it to my laptop mic in, other than the obvious physical fit issues. Laptop is 3.5 mm jack. Microphone requires phantom power supply.

Oon

bob91343 · 31st January 2011, 04:32 PM

You will need to get some voltage for the microphone. I would guess around 48 V is appropriate. Supply it via a high value resistor, say 1 Megohm, and you are good to go.

ra7 · 31st January 2011, 04:37 PM

You will probably also need a mic preamp to amplify the mic output to a suitable level for your computer's soundcard. I have the M-Audio Audio Buddy, which is solidly built and has the 48V phantom power needed for typical measurement mics. There are lots others available also, just search.

Usually, computer sound cards are fairly noisy and so, for measurement, you also want something like the M-Audio Transit to act as an external low-noise soundcard.

bob91343 · 31st January 2011, 06:05 PM

I don't agree about the level. I think the microphone input on the sound card has plenty of gain.

oon_the_kid · 31st January 2011, 10:52 PM

Do you happen to know any links that might show how this connection might be accomplished?

Secondly, I heard that laptop mic input already has a phantom power supply. Can I just use that one?

Thanks,

Oon

bob91343 · 31st January 2011, 11:19 PM

You just connect hot to hot, ground to ground, and if the input is balanced you ground the other side.

As for power (well it's not really power, just polarizing voltage), some microphones are electret and require no power supply. I don't know what your unit uses so can't guess. But I am sure that, if there is a power supply, it would be a somewhat lower voltage than you would like. Lower voltage means lower output and more distortion.

Charles Darwin · 2nd February 2011, 12:45 PM

Most electret mics have a built-in pre amp which is usually powered using the 'polarizing' voltage (phantom power) but some can work off a battery which needs to be fitted inside the mic.
The Behringer ECM8000 requires a supply of between +15-45V to function.

31st January 2011, 04:18 PM	#1
oon_the_kid diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2008	Xlr to laptop mic in I have a behringer calibration mic which has an xlr output. How do I connect it to my laptop mic in, other than the obvious physical fit issues. Laptop is 3.5 mm jack. Microphone requires phantom power supply. Oon

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How do I make a phantom-powered XLR mic out of WM60AY?	Spasticteapot	Equipment & Tools	2	18th September 2009 04:54 AM
Blue Cranberry XLR Cables Mic Audio	Zero Cool	Swap Meet	0	2nd October 2007 01:46 AM
laptop headphone o/p to Mic input	pmgd	Everything Else	2	6th January 2005 11:40 AM
line output to xlr mic input	bogusblackman	Everything Else	7	28th February 2004 12:32 PM
XLR Mic, how can I convert it to assymetric?	Bricolo	Analogue Source	8	23rd January 2004 04:34 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

31st January 2011, 04:32 PM	#2
bob91343 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010	You will need to get some voltage for the microphone. I would guess around 48 V is appropriate. Supply it via a high value resistor, say 1 Megohm, and you are good to go.

31st January 2011, 04:37 PM	#3
ra7 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Blog Entries: 1	You will probably also need a mic preamp to amplify the mic output to a suitable level for your computer's soundcard. I have the M-Audio Audio Buddy, which is solidly built and has the 48V phantom power needed for typical measurement mics. There are lots others available also, just search. Usually, computer sound cards are fairly noisy and so, for measurement, you also want something like the M-Audio Transit to act as an external low-noise soundcard.

31st January 2011, 06:05 PM	#4
bob91343 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010	I don't agree about the level. I think the microphone input on the sound card has plenty of gain.

31st January 2011, 10:52 PM	#5
oon_the_kid diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2008	Do you happen to know any links that might show how this connection might be accomplished? Secondly, I heard that laptop mic input already has a phantom power supply. Can I just use that one? Thanks, Oon

31st January 2011, 11:19 PM	#6
bob91343 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010	You just connect hot to hot, ground to ground, and if the input is balanced you ground the other side. As for power (well it's not really power, just polarizing voltage), some microphones are electret and require no power supply. I don't know what your unit uses so can't guess. But I am sure that, if there is a power supply, it would be a somewhat lower voltage than you would like. Lower voltage means lower output and more distortion.

2nd February 2011, 12:45 PM	#7
Charles Darwin diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Birmingham, UK	Most electret mics have a built-in pre amp which is usually powered using the 'polarizing' voltage (phantom power) but some can work off a battery which needs to be fitted inside the mic. The Behringer ECM8000 requires a supply of between +15-45V to function.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)