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A microphone is an electronic component that converts sound waves into an electrical signal, which can then be processed, amplified, or recorded by a computer. Microphones are either built into devices like laptops or monitors (internal) or are separate devices (external) that connect to the computer via a dedicated port (like the pink mic jack) or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port. The core components are a diaphragm, a coil, and a magnet, which work together to capture vibrations and translate them into usable electrical data for the computer system.

Types of Computer Microphones

Internal Microphones: Built into devices like laptops or monitors, these are convenient but may have lower audio quality.

External Microphones: These are peripherals that plug into the computer.

USB Microphones: Connect to the computer via a USB port, offering high quality and ease of use for streaming, podcasts, and home studios.

Microphone Port Microphones: Use the dedicated microphone jack on the computer's sound card, typically indicated by a microphone icon or a pink color-coding.