Sound cards enable the transfer of audio information from the computer or laptop to an audio device.
They enable the computer's digital audio output to be delivered from the built-in speakers.
The sound card typically uses a digital to analog converter to convert a digital audio signal into analog signals. The output signal is then connected to an external device like the microphone.
Role of microphone
Since it is the era of digital audio, all kinds of microphones must be able to connect with computers so that you have vocal clarity and high-quality sound. It is thus important to understand how to connect a microphone to an audio interface like a sound card in your operating system.
In this article, we will specifically discuss how a non-amplified microphone is connected to the computer and which port of the installed audio card it connects to.
A microphone converts sound input into audio (electrical current). Usually, microphones do not amplify sounds and generally require amplification through loudspeakers. The microphone input can be used for applications like voice over IP, speech recognition, creating audio files, etc.
Connecting a non-amplified microphone to a sound card
Sound cards have a line-in connector for analog input signals from a sound source having voltage levels higher than a microphone. In any case, the sound cards use an analog to digital audio converter for digitizing the signal.
Computer sound card typically has four ports. The largest port is used to connect midi devices or gaming controllers etc. The remaining three look similar and are green, pink and blue in color and are used to connect speakers, microphone and CD players, respectively. They have engravings for what each port does.
So, if you want to connect a non-amplified microphone, you need to connect the correct jack to the sound card's Mic In port. It is also referred to as the Microphone In port.
A signal is sent from the speaker out connector to the external speakers. The signals are amplified, while the speakers and computer can regulate level of the sound.
