Connect audio devices to the PC using the XLR cable
If you have a device with an XLR cable, you will quickly encounter a problem: No PC also has an XLR socket for connection. Only a few small tricks help here. We'll show you how to proceed to connect your microphone or other audio devices via XLR.
The simplest solution: XLR adapter cable for the PC
To connect the XLR or Cannon connector to a PC, you can use a cable that converts the XLR connector into a normal 3.5mm jack.
- You have a very cheap solution that can be implemented quickly.
- You have no problems setting up the software. The programs you use to record automatically recognize the device as an input. You just have to adjust the level.
- Since the XLR connectors are very large, you can easily have a problem with hanging cables and rigid connections. There is also a risk of bending the plug and damaging contacts.
Expensive but professional: external sound card for the PC
You can also connect your XLR device to your PC or Mac using an external sound card. How to avoid annoying cable connections on the laptop, since a simple USB cable is sufficient for the sound card.
- External sound cards are very good in recording quality.
- You usually pay over a hundred euros for a good external sound card.
- External sound cards often have not only XLR, but often also practical connections. Therefore, the purchase is usually worthwhile in the long run - depending on how often you connect audio devices to your PC.
When connecting, also make sure that the device is connected to the correct socket on your PC. Many PCs have a microphone and a line-in input. You should only use the microphone input for microphones or unamplified audio devices. For your sound card to work properly, you need to set it up. We will show you how to set the sound card correctly. In addition, we have summarized the differences between XLR and jack in another article.