So I have a sound recording program I like and a mic set up that works (until today). I bought a dual tie-clip mic from RadioShack which has an extension cord for stereo sound. I’d wrapp a rubberband around my instrument to hold the mics on and it worked great: plenty of volume and no extraneous noise or distortion.
Now all of a sudden the set up doesn’t work. I unplugged the tie-clip mics from the extension cord and plugged it into a tape recorder-- they work fine. I plugged two other mics into the extension cord and they work fine. If I plug the tie-clip mics into my computer without the extension it still doesn’t work. So the problem is not the tie-clip mics, not the extension cord, and not my computer or the program. It’s just the tie-clip mics in conjunction with my computer that won’twork.
Does anybody have any clues as to what is up? I’d rather not go buy another microphone.
Cheers,
Aaron
Welcome to my world 
I don’t have any answers, but do have a similar problem. I have a sound recording system on my computer that has NEVER worked with any mic…the program comes up, and will play already recorded music fine, but simply doesn’t record. We’ve tried different mics with no luck.
My daughter’s computer has always recorded just fine with the mic that came with it. I was able to get one useable whistle recording out of it (lots of background noise, but at least it was clean-up-able), but the next time I tried to use it, all I got was a lot of staticky hissing (with the whistle sound barely audible in the background). I tried moving and buffering the mic, turning off all the electronics in the study except for that one computer, and finally a different mic (one that was supposed to eliminate background noise)…all with the same results.
I’m wondering if it isn’t the jack that’s bad in both instances. I don’t have much computer recording experience at all, but I know with my personal CD players, what’s ultimately gone bad is the headphone jack.
Redwolf
I have a similar problem. I bought a $30 mic from RadioShack and it works fine with my tape recorder but not at all with the mic jack on my computer. I have other “PC mics” that work fine with the computer. The plug looks like the same size but something must not match up…
While we’re on the topic, when I do record with my PC it pics up the fans inside the PC and the hard drive noises…very annoying! I don’t think it’s coming from the mic though, I think it must be something being picked up directly by the sound card somehow.
I’m on the verge of getting one of those MP3 recorder devices…
-Brett
You may have an issue with “Plug in power” or the lack thereof on your computer. If the mic is some kind or another “electret”, I think it is. It needs to be powered by the device you plug it in to. Most tape recorders, Camcorders, etc will do this. Maybe your computer doesn’t, or doesn’t any more.
Good suggestions but I don’t believe it is the mic jack on my computer. I tried 2 different microphones in it and they worked fine. And the tie-clip mic was great too until today. The extension cord I mentioned has a battery operated power source and the problem isn’t with that. I even tried it with the battery out and it still worked.
The problem is just the tie-clip mic in conjunction with my computer. Both work fine on their own.
Cheers,
Aaron
I had one of these mics. The box at the end of the extension cord where you plug the mic in has an on/off switch and a button battery. If you’ve already made sure that the switch is in the on position, you might try replacing the battery.
Interesting. I had a similar problem. I was using the onboard sound from the motherboard after I built the computer. For months it worked fine then it started to fade out until now it doesn’t record.
Here’s what I’ve tried.
- Make sure the mike is plugged in right.
- Try a different mike.
- Make sure the recording volume is up (right click on the “speaker” icon and select properties).
None of these work. I have been thinking it is the jack on the computer but haven’t gotten decided if I want to get a new sound card or not.
The problem is I can’t record so there may be no choice.
I don’t think it’s a lack of power as I have a 150 watt power supply.
UPDATE: Now the tie-clip mic has decided it will work 
. I haven’t yet had a chance to do more tinkering but I am experienceing poor volume on all microphones I try. 
Thanks for your tips.
Cheers,
Aaron