April 25, 2012

Voice chatting for beginners with a 3.5mm microphone for PC

Voice chatting is very convenient since you don't have to type while you chat with someone like Instant messaging, so your hands are free to do something else like folding Landry, origami,  and other tasks.

It is also cheaper then using your cell phone since Voice chatting on Skype, Windows Live Messenger, Google Voice, YIM, AIM, etc are free compared to paying by the minute for cell phone voice service. All you need is a broadband internet connection like DSL, Cable, or better internet.

Most computers and laptops have a 3.5 mm microphone jack which is usually pink, and found on the front, back, or side of your computer. The plug usually have a small mic symbol close to it. All you have to do is plug in your Mic, and turn on your computer to start using your mic for voice chat on programs like Skype, YIM, AIM, Ventrillo, Team Speak, BlogTV, UStream, and other voice programs.

Most laptops these days have a built-in mic, but if you are using a desktop, or older laptop without a webcam with a microphone, you'll need a 3.5mm microphone like the Cyber Acoustic 3.5mm Stick PC Mic with an adjustable arm and on/off button.

You can also use Google+ to start a hangout to voice chat with your friends on Google's newest social network.

In some cases, you need to configure your mic to work properly with Windows, Linux, and other OS and your voice chat programs like Skype.

You can click on the speaker icon found on the system tray to increase and decrease the sensitivity of your mic, and make sure it is not muted.

I recommend you position your head 1-2 feet away from your mic to avoid static, and prevent your mic from picking up your breathing. Also, turn down your speakers, so the mic does not pick up your speaker sound, so the person you are chatting with does not hear his voice on his side which can be annoying like when callers phone a radio station, and don't turn down the radio before calling, so their phone picks up the radio show which gets re broadcast to the radio again.

Also, don't set your mic and mic boost volume too high since it might pick up background noise like static, clock ticking, and other people's conversations which makes your voice less clear, and harder to hear because you set the mic too high.

A headset mic with earphones, and a boom mic at the front of your mouth might be a better choice if you use your mic while playing computer games, or you sit in a noisy environment.

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