Just something I've always wondered—most sound cards have both a line in and a microphone, and I've never been able to tell the difference between anything recorded with them. Lately I've seen cards without the line in, so is there actually a difference? If so, specifically what should they be used for?
Tell me more
×
Audio-Video Production Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for
engineers, producers, editors, and enthusiasts spanning the fields of audio, video, and media creation. It's 100% free, no registration required.
|
|
|
Line in will usually be stereo and about 10Kohm impedance. Mic in is mono and about 600-1Kohm impedance and expecting SIGNIFICANTLY lower levels than the line, as it has a preamp to pick up the very low levels present in a microphone. Sometimes microphone in have XLR connector to allow Phantom Power |
|||||
|
|
If you have a mic plugged in, and some other input in Line In, your computer's operating system will (or should) use the mic when you're using Skype or something. That way you don't have to do any configuration to have the mic work properly. On good cards, the mic line will have lower impedance and should be mono. If you try to use it for something else the sound will be distorted. |
|||||
|
|
A microphone input is typically a very low level signal, and is mono. A line in will be expecting a much higher input level, and will usually be stereo. The sound card should have an additional pre-amp stage for the mic to bring it up to line levels. |
|||
|
|
