How to Set Up a USB Microphone

By Dakota Wright

Setup a USB microphone to use chat applications.
i laptop with microphone image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.com

A microphone designed for your PC is an important piece of audio equipment. With it, you can participate in online discussions, use voice recognition software or take notes for class. A USB microphone allows the user to freely communicate across a variety of platforms.

There are several types of microphones available for computers, and they range in compatibility. Commonly, microphones are made for plug-and-play use; however, a USB microphone may come with additional software from the manufacturer.

Step 1

Plug the USB microphone connector into an available USB port on your computer. If you have many USB ports available, plug the microphone into a USB port dedicated to microphone use.

Step 2

Place the installation CD into the CD tray, and install the microphone using the on-screen instructions.

Step 3

Restart the machine after the installation is complete. Plug-and-play devices require a computer restart to be installed properly.

Step 4

Right-click on the sound icon in the lower left of the task bar. Choose the "Adjust Audio Properties" option. Click on the "Voice" tab, and click on the "Test Hardware" button. Follow the onscreen instructions for the "Sound Hardware Test Wizard."

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