Performing a microphone test is not that hard to do. There are several ways to go about it, depending on where you’re using your microphone and what kind of equipment you have it hooked up to. This article explains how to quickly perform a microphone test on a computer, in a studio and on stage.
On A Computer
Computers can use built-in webcam mics, usb mics, headphone jack mics or music studio quality mics when connected with the appropriate adapter. The basic steps to follow when performing a microphone test are to open your computer’s built in sound recorder or more advanced recording software, click record and speak into the microphone for a few seconds, stop the recording, and then play it back. Grade your results depending on what level of sound quality you’re looking for. If you’ll be using your microphone for video conferencing, gaming or VOIP calls, you might be satisfied with the person on the receiving end just being able to hear you clearly. If you’re recording music with a program like Garage Band or using your computer as part of the mixing process in a music studio, you’ll want to ensure your microphone test captures a range of sound frequencies at a high quality level.
In A Studio
A studio microphone test can be more complicated depending on the number of studio equipment pieces your sound has to travel through before it is recorded. The main thing to keep in mind is to ensure all connections are secure and all powered equipment in your microphone setup is turned on. Test your microphone as you would with a computer by speaking into it clearly for a few seconds. Be sure to keep your mouth a couple of inches away from the microphone. Not too close and not too far away. Use your studio equipment to adjust the level and frequencies from your microphone to get just the right sound.
On Stage
Performing a microphone test on stage is basically the same as in a studio. The main difference is that you want to be sure the audience can hear you well in real time. This means you should pay close attention to how long it takes sound to bounce off of walls and other objects before your audience hears it. Timing is everything. Adjusting amplifiers and mixing board settings will play an important part in producing the optimal microphone sound on stage.
Conclusion
Performing a basic microphone test is not difficult. Depending on how good you need your sound quality to be, you could spend a matter of seconds performing a test or drag it out much longer trying to tweak subtle nuances of the sound quality. Either way, you now know the basics of performing a microphone test on a computer, in a studio and on stage.