On the other hand, newer headsets usually have one TRRS plug designed to work with phones and laptops. Transducer: Depending on the microphone type (dynamic or condenser), the components of this section of the mic start the process of converting sound waves into electrical signals. We’ll talk about common transducer technologies below.

For a USB connector, you simply push the plug in as far as it will go. Be careful, as some USB plugs are directional, and you will need to plug them up the right way. The first thing you have to do is identify the recording slot of your computer or laptop. Most computers and laptops nowadays have a single audio slot, which means you can simply plug your headphones in. However, some computers still have two separated slots, one dedicated to headphone audio and the other to recording/mic input.

You’ll find that the process on how to use Apple headphones as a mic on PC has six simple steps. But before anything else, make sure to clean your device properly to avoid any dirt-related issues.

The Rode NT-USB does have a gain issue, and adjusting it inside software won’t do much, but it can still be a serviceable product for newbie podcasters and streamers. You should hear sound through the headset, if you’ve chosen the correct device for sound output. How to test headset mic on PC You can’t share audio with another pair of headphones: Most PCs have a way to share audio between two or more sets of headphones. If this no longer seems to be working, you should make sure that you’re sharing audio correctly by following the steps in our article about how to use two sets of headphones on your PC. To determine app access to the microphone, simply locate the app under the “Choose which apps can access your microphone” list, and turn on/off the toggle switch for the particular app. Update sound driver Unbalanced headphones: If audio is coming through your ear cups at uneven volumes, here’s our article on how to fix unbalanced headphone audio.

The rear audio port on a Dell OptiPlex desktop is disabled when a headphone is connected to the front audio port. Under the “Input” section, select “Choose your input device”, and then select the microphone or recording device you want to use. A lot of this will come down to personal preference. Do your shell-likes tend to overheat a bit during long listening sessions? A set of in-ears might feel cooler. Want people to know you're wearing headphones and leave you be? Nothing says 'Do not disturb' like a set of over-ears. Interested in the idea of over-ears but need something small enough to throw in a bag for your commute? On-ears might be ideal. Choose Hardware and Sound, then select Device Manager. You should be presented with an alphabetical list of functions and devices. That’s why, if your headphones’ microphone isn’t working, it’s most probably because your Windows PC doesn’t recognize it as the default input device.