Microphone & Asus MB question?

[JMPHOTO]

Hello All, I am not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I thought I would start here.
I have an Asus P4C800Edelux MB and I am looking to use a mic to record some music on my computer.
Nothing fancy are even stereo. I just started taking guitar lessons and I want to record my progress along the way. So I bought a basic mic at Radio Shack for 19.99 and plugged it into the MD's mic input. I did go into windows XP Pro and turn up the input for the mic, but when I record it is so faint you can hardly hear it. Do I need a different kind of MIC? I am just using REAL as a basic recorder.
Thanks

 

[Zepper]

You have to first set your mic slider down to near the bottom. There usually is a mic boost setting in the advanced settings of the mixer. Mine has an Advanced button right at the bottom of the mic slider. When you click that, a window opens that has a Mic Boost check box in it. Check the box, then turn the mic back up to a useful volume.
.bh.

 

[xsilver]

I have a related problem -- with the same mobo -- the mic resets itself everytime you reboot and has to be physically pulled out and put back in again for it to detect..... very annoying --- anybody else notice this -- any way around?

 

[Zepper]

Updated drivers? Try going direct to the audio chipset maker's site for the drivers as often the mobo makers are a generation or two behind on posting updated drivers.
.bh.

 

[thirdlegstump]

If you're plugging the mic into the line input, the signal would not be strong enough. You'll need a mic preamp to convert the mic signal to a line level signal. If you are plugging the mic into the mic input port, you may need to check that +20 db boost and crank the input gain. Either way for best results, get a decent mic preamp like an M-Audio Audiobuddy. You'll also need the right cables depending on the mic.

 

[Zepper]

There are only two types of mics intended to work with PC sound cards. One is the dynamic type which doesn't require extra amplification (leave Mic Boost unchecked) or bias current, and electret condenser (check the Mic Boost option). The bias current for the electret mic is provided directly from the sound card Mic jack (three contact jack - ground, bias, signal) so the Mic either has to have the appropriate three contact plug or provide its own bias via a battery. As long as you get a mic that's designed to work with sound cards, you should have no trouble at all.
. However if you want to use a fancy audiophile type of mic, you may need to use a mic preamp as mentioned above.
.bh.

:moon: