Use a different microphone

You can use an external microphone for audio conferencing, making voice recordings, or using other multimedia applications. Even if your computer has a built-in microphone or a webcam with a microphone, a separate microphone could provide better audio quality.

If your microphone has a circular TS (tip, sleeve) plug, plug it into the appropriate socket on your computer. Most computers have two sockets: one for microphones and one for speakers. Look for a picture of a microphone next to the socket. Microphones plugged into a TS socket will usually be used by default. If not, see the instructions below for selecting a default input device.

If you have a USB microphone, plug it into any USB port on your computer. USB microphones act as separate audio devices, and you may have to specify which microphone to use by default.

Select a default audio input device

  1. Click the sound menu on the top bar and select Sound Settings.

  2. On the Input tab, select the device in the list of devices. The input level indicator should respond when you speak.

If you don't see your device on the Input tab, check the Hardware tab. Make sure the profile for the device includes "input".