Plugging in a microphone (the headset kind)

[Fetch_Man]

Hi. I just bought a new headset that comes with a microphone attached to the headset near the earphones. There are 2 plugs that come out of each ear phone, but I don't know which one goes into the microphone input on my computer, or which one goes into the speaker. Or am I wrong? Please help, one of the wire plug things is red, the other is black. I want to be able to use my microphone as well as headphone at the same time.

 

[kiwiguy]

Most likely the red one will be the mic.

If you get it the wrong way round it just won't work. Its unlikely to damage anything.

Some issues to note however.

Most computers use a condenser type microphone, and a dynamic type will not work.
Are you sure that yours is the right type? (Condenser type is also called an "electret" mic.)

Most "speaker" outputs on PC's are actually "line out" level, and the speakers are usually amplified.

If you plug in a headphone to the "line out" socket, it will be very low in volume.

 

[Fetch_Man]

Hi. That doesn't work. I unplug my speakers and put the headphone wires into the plug. Then I can hear sounds out of the headphones, although the microphone will not work (and it is plugged into the "pink" slot with the icon of the microphone pic). I have tried many different ways. Please help. Thank you.

 

[Cheeseball81]

It sounds like it is plugged in correctly. Red usually always indicates the microphone. And they usually have a tiny mark indented on it symbolizing a mic or headphones.

You might wanna check in your volume control, that the microphone is checked. (in both playback and recording)

Is the mic muted?