Can I plug a microphone into my PC mic input and listen to it on the headphones?

[Kolesar]

I don't want to do recordings or phone calls. I just want to put the microphone outside so I can listen to the birds.

I am really that ignorant about PC functions; I don't want to plunk down the cash for microphone and wire all this up for naught.

[taterguy]

1. Open a window

Jesus, some people need to stop relying so much on technology

[Political Tiger]

5. In all fairness, if the poster lives in a location where it's hot

like I do, in Florida, opening a window is not an option. Same goes if it's really cold or there is a lot of pollution in the area, or even if the person's computer is not located near a window.

[Rebubula]

10. Perhaps...

...the weather is too hot or the person in question has some physical disability. Maybe they have some hearing problem and need sounds amplified.

Jesus, some people need to stop jumping on other people so quickly.

[myrna minx]

13. Perhaps a person has severe allergies, physical disability or it could been just too damn hot.

Why the need to pounce? It seems like "some people" need to stop jumping to conclusions.

[blogslut]

2. You would need software that enabled you to listen to live audio from your microphone

Not sure if something like http://audacity.sourceforge.net">Audacity would do it because I've never tried.

[Kolesar]

6. Audacity can record live audio through a microphone or mixer

"Audacity can record live audio through a microphone or mixer, or digitize recordings from cassette tapes, vinyl records, or minidiscs. ...

Record from microphone, line input, or other sources... "

I could put Audacity into record mode and listen while it was recording, I would expect. Thanks

[blogslut]

7. Just make sure you get a mike

with a long enough cord. While there are many reasonably priced PC mikes out there, I've found it difficult to get one with a decent length cord.

[Kolesar]

11. I expect that I will add an extension to it.

I can solder well.

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Yes.

Make sure the mike has the right plug (3.5 mm or 1/8") to go to the PC. Then you'll need to run a program to make it all work. I use Goldwave, but it's pretty complex. I'll bet that there's something much easier to use out there, maybe someone else knows. Looks like some good resources here: http://www.google.com/search?q=microphone+recording+PC

[KharmaTrain]

8. They Still Make Goldwave??

I used to have Goldwave '96...I used Cool Edit and the veresion I prefer is from 2000.

Another simple way to record would be to get Google Talk or some other voice mail program that has a built in recorder. They should hook the mike as you suggest and then "email" themselves the audio.

[MannyGoldstein]

18. My 9 Year Old Kid LOVES GoldWave

He can spend hours recording songs and messing with them! It's a very, very good application!

[Kolesar]

12. Now I am absorbed in the links on your Google search...eom

[Political Tiger]

4. I'm pretty sure you can

As long as your PC has a microphone jack (input) for a microphone. I know mine does but I don't know if all PC's are shipped that way ... I have a Dell Inspiron 530.

But, when it comes to PC's, I'm not the most knowledgeable person, so don't take my word for it! ;)

[personman]

9. Yes, might not need software.

Perhaps just some tinkering in the mixer settings.

This summer I'll probably just run an extension cord out back and sit outside with my wifi enabled laptop. Sounds nice. :)

-Andy

[Towlie]

14. Get one of these $15 amplifiers instead:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062620



It has both a microphone jack and a headphone jack. If you plug headphones into the jack then the speaker is muted.

[Uben]

15. Buy a bird!

I suggest a Susan Boyle parakeet. Not much to look at, but man can they sing!

[customerserviceguy]

17. I suppose that would be better

than a Carrie Prejean parrot; pretty to look at, but always says something stupid!

[Billy Burnett]

16. Congratulations, Kolesar! You abbreviated microphone correctly!!11!! Its mic, not mike.

:toast:

[Canuckistanian]

19. I'm working on a project for just this purpose

Now, just using a microphone will not provide enough gain (volume) to be able to hear birds well. And all that extra cable will reduce the gain even more.

I would recommend using a mic preamp that works with electret mics. I've built this one myself:
http://www.electronicsteacher.com/circuits-and-diagrams/audio-preamp-circuits/simple-stereo-electret-microphone-preamplifier.php and it works very well.

Oh, and if you're using a Soundblaster card, enable the "+20dB" option on the mic option for greater gain.

[LeftHander]

20. Stop eating songbirds....!! The economy isn't that bad yet....nt