Will plugging in a stereo to a computer’s MIC jack damage the microphone?
Question:
I’m sorry to trouble you with this question, but the Audacity Forum link is not working. On your helpful site [the article on Converting audio cassette tapes to CD, MP3 and other digital formats] you say, “Plug . . . the other end [of the audio cable] into your computer soundcard’s ‘Microphone’ or ‘Line in’ jack.”
As far as I can tell, my Dell laptop doesn’t have a line-in jack, leaving me with the microphone option. However, Audacity says,”Do not plug stereo equipment into your computer’s ‘Microphone’ port, which is designed for low-powered (‘mic-level’) signals only.” Can you tell me if I can get effective [and non-damaging] stereo recordings using the microphone port?
Answer:
There are a few schools of thought on if plugging stereo output into a computer microphone causes damage. Here is my opinion, which will allow you to do what you’re trying to do, as long as you’re careful.
Can you tell me if I can get effective [and non-damaging] stereo recordings using the microphone port?
The short answer: Yes. Just make sure that your playback device’s volume is turned down low.
On your recording device (like your computer):
The AUX or LINE IN jack is designed to take input from a higher-powered sound source (like a tape recorder).
The MIC or MICROPHONE jack is designed to take input from a low-powered sound source (like a microphone).
For your playback device (like your tape cassette player):
The LINE OUT or AUX OUT jack sends a low-power sound signal to your recording device.
The HEADPHONE or SPEAKER jack sends a variable-power sound signal to your recording device.
The theory is that plugging in a high-powered sound source (like a tape player with the volume turned up high), will be too high-powered for the computer’s MIC input, and could damage the computer’s sound card.
Keeping the playback volume low will solve this issue, and will prevent damage to your computer’s microphone.
I know you specifically don’t have a LINE IN jack, but if you did, here are the recommended cabling combinations to use when recording from a player to a computer, and when you should use them. They’re sorted in the order in which you should try them:
1) Player LINE OUT / AUX OUT output to the recorder’s LINE IN / AUX jack: Recommended. No damage should occur.
2) Player HEADPHONE / SPEAKER output to the recorder’s LINE IN / AUX jack: Recommended. No damage should occur.
3) Player LINE OUT / AUX OUT to the recorder’s MICROPHONE / MIC jack: Recommended. No damage should occur.
4) Player HEADPHONE / SPEAKER output to the recorder’s MICROPHONE / MIC jack: Not recommended, as having the volume too high may damage your recorder’s microphone. However, if you keep the player’s output volume low, there should not be a problem.
Nadiyah:
Hello. I have a question in reference to the question that someone previously asked titled -“Can you tell me if I can get effective [and non-damaging] stereo recordings using the microphone port?” I have a desk top and a laptop, but do not a stereo cassette player. I do have a portable “boom box type” cassette player that has a microphone jack. Can I convert tapes to CD (following your instructions) using a portable player?
Thanks Much
16 December 2007, 10:29 amNadiyah J.
abkaiser:
Nadiyah,
Yes. The instructions will be the same whether you are using a stereo cassette player or a portable boom box. With a boom box, you would use the earphone jack to plug into your computer’s audio input.
Karen:
I have a similar question. I tried plugging in my digital tv receiver’s audio outputs through a mini stereo plug into my laptop’s microphone jack. I wanted to be able to hear the audio only through my computer. I had the coaxial cable hooked at the same time to my tv to be sure I was on a channel that was coming in through my attenna. Is it even possible to do this? Do I have to have special software to play the sound on? I thought it might just play from the computer’s speaker. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also I already checked all the different volume levels. Thanks.
10 August 2008, 3:36 pmArthur:
I have an interface coming from my stereo and it has a USB output. I have attempted to record from the stereo through Audacity, but I get no signal to Audacity. I do have signal to the interface which I can hear with an earphone plugged into the interface. Are there settings I need to change for the signal to reach Audacity?
5 October 2008, 10:24 pmmarshall:
My casette player has both earphone and AUX jacks, so I presume I’m ok there. As well, while no ‘line in’ or ‘aux’ jack on my laptop, I do have and have used my ‘mic’ jack, but to no avail. I’m thinking it’s my Audacity Preferences that might be at fault.
17 May 2009, 6:23 pmThe ‘Devices’ dropdown list only offers me Conexant HD Audio In and Output options and the Microsoft Sound Mapper in and output, which doesn’t jive with the explanation of setup from your instructions.
I am able to record and then export the .wav, but playback has just a bit of hiss and then nothing. Any ideas about what I might be missing?
thanks-
Merv Monk:
I have been told that my computer ‘mic’ input is only mono and not stereo. (SONY VAIO)If this is true, how can I record ‘stereo’ from it?
5 August 2009, 2:43 ampushkar:
how to change the input type to “Line in” or “Microphone”..??
5 September 2009, 3:50 ammarshall:
I’m waiting since last May for a response; unless I missed it somewhere I gather it isn’t coming. If I’m wrong, please do fill me in b/c I cant get to first base converting my cassettes and it doesn’t seem to be an issue of what to plug to what.
7 September 2009, 1:42 amAndy Kaiser:
Marshall,
If you’re looking for a response from me, see the detail on this page. I get so many requests for help it would take too much of my time to answer them all.
Andy
babu:
Hi,
1. preferably use the ‘line in’ in the desktop for conversion. Avoid using laptops. If u r using laptop, u may use the ‘mic’ socket at ‘low’ volume from cassette player. But some times it may not give u proper results. Every device has its own purpose.
1. Mic – to receive speach not for any ‘line in’ activity
2.Head phone and ‘speaker out’ socket – to connect headphone and speakers not to take ‘line out’ to any othe device( not for ‘line out’ activity)..
3.Line in – to give the signal (from other device)
4.Line out- to take the signal (to other device)
All the modern/costly devices will have all these 5 devices.
Babu.K
6 January 2010, 9:48 amBE. Electronice and communication Engg
Maya:
With reference to Mr. Babu’s explanation above, I have a very priliminary question.How are the following displayed on a record player or on desk top/lap top?
13 January 2010, 9:00 pmMic,
Head phone and speaker out sockets,
Line in and
line out sockets
(Explanation is requested because no description of Mic etc. is given on any equipment but only the symboles are displayed)
Anil:
I have ACER laptop and it seems it does not have line-in options for cassett to MP3 recording. I have a stereo cable 3.5 mm at both end. One end is connected to walkman earphone (line-out). I am not getting where to connect to laptop as it has 3 connections of same size. Will I have to use 3.5mm to USB converter. Please guide.
26 May 2010, 6:10 amDarryl:
For those of you wanting to convert cassettes in stereo to digital, 2 companies have a cassette to USB player, full stereo, don’t try to overdrive your Mic )mono) input,
16 July 2010, 10:32 am