How To Connect Multiple Microphones to a Computer

Most people are familiar with how to connect a single microphone to a computer. But what if you need to connect multiple microphones instead?

That can be a little trickier, but with the right instructions, you’ll easily be on your way. There are three basic methods that most people rely on.

We’ll look at the different ways to do this, which will allow you to find the system that works best for your circumstance.

Three Methods to Connect Multiple Microphones to a Computer

Using a USB capable audio mixer
With a multiple channel audio interface
By connecting two USB microphones

Connecting Multiple Microphones to a Computer with a USB Capable Audio Mixer

By using this method, you will have a few advantages. For example, you can equalize each channel separately before sending the signal to the main audio bus.

It also provides you with options such as a low-pass filter – to cut the low-end rumble, audio compression – which helps keep a more constant audio level, phantom power – for connecting condenser microphones, aux send/returns – for connecting external effect boards, etc.

Most USB-capable mixers only allow you to record a stereo track which can be a limiting factor if you plan to record each channel separately.

If you are considering this option for recording a podcast with multiple guests, you might want to consider a mixer specially designed for this type of application. Here a list of the best audio mixers for podcasting.

Instead, if you plan to use multiple microphones for music applications such as a band, check out this post on the different types of audio mixers.

Things You Need to Consider

When using a USB-capable audio mixer, there are a few things you’ll need to know.

First, you’ll want to decide on how many channels you’ll need for your situation. Based on that information, you’ll be able to select a mixer accordingly.
As you’re setting your audio mixer up, it’s essential that you equalize each channel correctly. By taking the time to do this right, you’ll get the best results.
You’re going to want to make sure that your levels are consistent. You’ll do this before recording. Why? You don’t want to end up with distortion. It may seem like a hassle to do the prep work, but it will save you trouble later.
Now, you’ll use the included DAW software or another one to record from your microphones. By the way, DAW stands for Digital Audio Workstation.

This is What You Need to Do

First, use the corresponding cable, either XLR or 1/4” plug, to connect each microphone to the mixing console.
Turn the gain knob to the middle and make sure also to increase the master volume and volume slider or knob for each channel you are using.
Test each microphone to see if you have a signal. You should see the strength of the audio signal on the VU meter. Try to keep the VU meter at or below 0 dB to avoid saturation and distortion on the audio signal. In other words, stay within the green LED’s avoid going into the yellow or red. If you are not familiar with mixing consoles, click the following link to read an article about mixing consoles basics.
Equalize each channel to your likings. Make sure there is a balanced sound between all the mics. Avoid having one being louder than the other. This is where an audio compressor comes in handy.
Monitor the sound by plugging in a pair of headphones. You might want to check out the post on how to EQ vocals or the one on how to equalize different sound sources to get a well-balanced sound in your recording or live stream.
Connect the USB cable from the mixer to the computer and let it install the driver. Most USB audio mixers are plug-and-play (PnP). If the driver doesn’t install automatically, download it from the mixer manufacturer’s website.
Install the included DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or your favorite one. Follow the on-screen setup wizard to finish setting up the DAW software.
Run a sound recording test to make sure you are happy with the sound before recording. If it doesn’t sound good, try tweaking the EQ or volume levels until you are satisfied with the result. Verify that the audio doesn’t distort; there is nothing more annoying to your listeners than saturated sound.

Here is a diagram you can use for your reference that shows you the different connections you need to make.

Let’s move on to the next method, which uses a multiple-channel audio interface.

Connect Several Mics to a Computer Using a Multiple Channel Audio Interface

Another way to connect several microphones to a computer is by using a multiple-channel audio interface.

This is the most straightforward way of connecting multiple microphones to a computer but has some limitations.

For example, it doesn’t allow you to equalize the sound source before converting the analog signal into digital. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it poses some limitations if you like to EQ sound before recording it.

The good thing is that with the DAW software, you can EQ the recorded sound or even add sound effects later on when mixing the recorded material.

In some cases, it is better to record a raw take on the audio source without any EQ or added sound effects. That way, when it is time to finish the mix, you can add whatever you want to the sound. Just make sure that the recorded take is clean and unsaturated.

You can add EQ, compression, effects such as reverb, echo, chorus, etc. And if you don’t like how it sounds, you can always revert it with the click of a mouse. This is something you can’t do if your raw recorded audio it’s been equalized and effects have been added to it before it was recorded.

To achieve good quality recordings, live streams, and podcasts, you need to have a good mic to make sure that the source signal is picked up clearly.

Here are a few suggestions of some of the best mics for recording vocals and some of the best microphones for podcasting, hand-picked for their quality and sonic characteristics. Click the links to check them out.

Details To Consider

Let’s take a closer look at some important details you need to consider when using an audio interface for connecting multiple microphones to a computer.

Your interface is going to convert your audio signal into digital. Before you get started, you need to consider what you’re using this for. Each setup is different, so having a clear idea of how you want to use the audio interface will help you select the right unit.
The next step is understanding how many inputs and outputs you need. Consider a two-person podcast vs. a band that has multiple instruments, as well as vocals. These are completely different uses but are both viable with the right interface. Do you need headphones? How many pairs? These are the types of things you should consider before selecting a multiple-channel audio interface.
You also need to consider the kind of computer/device connectivity you’ll use. These are the most common connection types: USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt, or PCIe (PCI Express). USB is the most popular, but if using a multiple channel interface, if possible, a faster connection such as Thunderbolt is recommended.
There are different price ranges and extras you can get, but by making a list of your needs, you’ll be able to sort through the multiple interfaces available to find the one that will work for your needs and budget.

You can check our suggestions for audio interfaces by clicking the link. That article provides you with some of the best affordable options available in the market today. We always keep our articles up to date to provide you with an updated list of the best audio gear available.

How to Set it Up

Start by installing the drivers of the interface. They can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.
Next, install the DAW you are planning to use. If you don’t have one, most audio interfaces come bundled with one which can download it from the manufacturer’s website.
Connect the microphones to the interface using balanced XLR cables.
Set the gain of each channel until you get a balanced tone.
Make sure to check the audio level on the DAW side so that the signal sent to the computer is not saturated.
After the audio has been recorded, you can use the DAW software to edit the recorded it sound.
If using the audio interface to live stream the audio, you can monitor the sound level from the platform you are using to stream to make sure it sounds good.
When live streaming, it is recommended to also use a different device to connect to the stream and monitor the quality of the audio signal.

If you need, use the diagram below as a reference for making your connections.

Connect Multiple USB Microphones To a Computer Using a Third-Party Software – For Windows PC

We’re going to look at two different processes for this setup. One will be for Mac users using Garageband to create two separate tracks for recording both microphones simultaneously.

The second method is for Windows users. We will be using Audacity as the DAW and Voicemeeter as a virtual mixer to combine the two microphones into one track.

2 Microphones/2 Tracks Method – For MAC Computers Using GarageBand

When you’re looking to use two microphones and want two tracks, you’re going to use the Audio Midi set up and choose something called Aggregate Device. In case you didn’t know, an aggregate device is simply the wording for multiple input/output devices that work together as “one” device.

These are the steps to follow:

Connect each microphone to an available USB port. If your computer doesn’t have enough ports, you’ll need a USB hub.
Next, go to the “Applications” folder and scroll down until you find the “Utilities” option and click on it.
Select the “Audio MIDI Setup” option. In the new window that opens, look for the plus sign “+” in the lower-left corner and click on it to create an aggregate device.
On the right side, look for the two USB microphones you have connected to the computer under “Audio Device,” and select them.
I recommend changing the name of the new aggregate device to something like 2 USB Microphones to make it easier to visualize. This becomes handy if you have several aggregate devices.
Open GarageBand and click on “Create.” Next, click on GarageBand on the upper left corner of the window, and from the drop-down menu, click on “Preferences.”
In the new window that opens, click on “Audio/MIDI” and click on “Input Device.” From the drop-down menu, select the aggregate device you created earlier. This is why renaming it makes things easier.
At this point is time to add tracks, one per USB microphone. Click the “+” to add a new track. In the new window that opens, click on “Input” to select the USB mic. Repeat the same procedure to add the second device, and that’s it. You can start recording on two separate tracks using two USB microphones.

If you don’t see an audio signal on the VU meter, double-check those inputs so you know you’ve got the right ones.

With this method, each microphone will record its own track. This is the 2 microphone/2 track method

Video Credits: Pat Flynn

2 Microphones/1 Track Method – For Windows PC Using Audacity and Voicemeeter

To connect two USB microphones to a Windows PC, you need to use a program called Voicemeeter.

As explained on their website, Voicemeeter is an audio mixer application endowed with a Virtual audio device used as Virtual I/O to mix and manage any audio sources from or to any audio devices or applications.

This particular program allows you to put a different microphone on each panel. You’re going to sync this with your Audacity program in a short bit. Let’s look at getting started.

These are the steps to follow:

Download and install Voicemeeter from their website.
Connect both USB microphones to available USB ports. If you don’t have enough ports, use a USB hub.
Open the Voicemeeter application, and click on “Hardware Input 1.” From the drop-down menu, select the first USB microphone to assign it to Hardware Input 1.
Click on “Hardware Input 2” to select the second USB mic from the drop-down list to assign it to Hardware Input 2.
Once both mics have been assigned, test them to see if they are configured correctly. You should see the VU meter moving, meaning that they have been configured correctly.
At this point, you can use any DAW software to start recording, but instead of selecting only one USB mic as the input device, you’ll choose Voicemeeter, which in turn is mixing the signal of both mics. In our case, we’ll be using Audacity because it’s a free, open-source DAW.
Open Audacity and look for the small microphone icon to select which input Audacity is going to use. From the drop-down menu, choose Voicemeeter.
Click the “Record” button to run a test. Speak through each mic, and you should see a signal being recorded. If the volume of the microphone is too low, open the Voicemeeter app and increase the volume. If it’s too high, make sure to decrease it to avoid clipping and distortion in the signal.

When you push the record button on Audacity, you’ll see that the two microphones now come through on a single track instead of the two tracks like in the method mentioned above. This is due to limitations in the Voicemeeter software.

Use this method to connect multiple microphones to a Windows computer. This becomes handy if you need to record a podcast with a guest and don’t have an audio interface or mixing console available to accommodate more than one mic.

Video Credits: Pat Flynn

Takeaways:

There are three basic methods of connecting multiple microphones to a computer.

Using a USB capable audio mixer
Using a multiple channel audio interface
Connecting two USB microphones to the computer and using third-party software

Knowing how you’re using these methods can significantly help you choose, based on your needs, your budget, and software. Are you recording multiple instruments and vocals? Is it a two-person podcast?

Regardless of what you choose, remember to adjust your levels and settings – because clean sound that’s well balanced or not can make or break your recording.

Have you connected multiple microphones to a computer? Which method did you prefer? Did you find that you tried one and weren’t happy with the results? Be sure to let me know if this was helpful and if there are other topics that you’d like me to cover.

When it comes to audio, quality matters —every time.