- Connect USB mics to USB hubs<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Connect USB mics to mixers or interfaces<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to record using a USB mic<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow to set up a USB mic with your PC or Mac<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Connecting a USB mic with your PC or Mac couldn\u2019t be more simple. All you need is an available USB port, the correct USB cable (which often comes with your mic)<\/em>, and the software you\u2019ll be using the mic with. Some USB mics are class-compliant meaning no additional driver software is required, while others do. Before connecting your USB mic to your computer, visit the manufacturer\u2019s website to confirm if it requires driver software.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n- Connect your microphone to your computer.<\/li>
- Download the driver software (if necessary)<\/em><\/li>
- Go to your Downloads <\/strong>folder, and run the driver\u2019s installer.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nConnect USB mics to USB hubs<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TIP: <\/strong>If your USB microphone model isn’t listed (e.g., ICON USB Mic)<\/em> it may also be listed in your input as USB Audio Codec<\/strong>, Generic USB Microphone<\/strong>, or even just Microphone<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Computer audio production often involves connecting a few external devices to your computer. USB mics prefer to be connected directly to your computer. Although hubs are a convenient way to connect multiple devices to the same USB port, they may prevent your USB mic from properly communicating with your computer \u2013 this is especially true with passive hubs and USB condenser microphones<\/a>. So if you\u2019re using a hub and there are connectivity issues, connect it directly to your computer.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nConnect USB mics to mixers or interfaces<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One question that is often asked about USB mics is connecting it to an external mixer<\/a> or audio interface<\/a>. The short answer is not necessarily. You can\u2019t connect a USB mic to an audio interface or mixer, as there are currently none on the market with USB audio inputs. Also, USB mics strictly use digital inputs and outputs. There are XLR\/USB mics out there, which, when using the XLR jack, can be connected to a mixer that\u2019s connected to the computer.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nA note on connecting USB mics to video game consoles<\/p>\n\n\n\n
USB microphones are very popular among the video gaming community. Different consoles have different compatibility, so be sure to check out the console’s manufacturer manual or website for compatibility information before you set everything up.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nIs your USB mic not working?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you think your USB mic isn\u2019t working, first reconnect it by unplugging and plugging it back in. If you have not done so yet, try to configure the USB connections so that the USB mic is connected directly to your computer. If the problem persists, try a different USB port or cable. Visit our Windows<\/a> and Mac<\/a> guides for more tips on resolving audio device connectivity.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"TS](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2017\/11\/TS-Interface-Windows-UPDATE-Hero-1024x536.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLearn more about resolving audio interface issues on Windows<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"Mac](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2019\/09\/Mac-Sound-Audio-Device-Solutions-Hero-1024x536.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLearn more about resolving audio interface issues on Mac<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nReturn to top<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow to record using a USB mic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Once your USB mic is connected to your computer, the next thing you\u2019ll probably want to do is get it set up in recording software such as Audacity, FL Studio, or Garageband. The great thing about USB microphones is that setting it up to record is a breeze. Depending on the OS and recording software you\u2019re using, you may need to set up an aggregate device for the mic to work correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n- Once the USB microphone is connected to your computer, launch your recording software, like Audacity or FL Studio.<\/li>
- Navigate to its Audio Preferences<\/em> menu.
- It may be called something different in your software, so If you aren\u2019t sure where to find the option, check out the owner\u2019s manual.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Change the software\u2019s Input <\/em>to your USB mic, then start recording!
- If you\u2019re not getting any input after changing it to your USB mic, restart the software.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n
![\"Aggregate](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2019\/08\/Aggregate-Audio-Device-Driver-Hero-Image-1024x536.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nAggregate Audio Devices and Drivers on Mac PC and Mac<\/a>\n\n\n\nLearn more about how to create aggregate devices on PC and Mac!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn More \u2192<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Return to top<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Learn more<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
- If you\u2019re not getting any input after changing it to your USB mic, restart the software.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
- Go to your Downloads <\/strong>folder, and run the driver\u2019s installer.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
- Connect USB mics to mixers or interfaces<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
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