Need Help on Microphone Input for Laptop

[ALAN E NORTH]

Lonman,

I know now that the mic is working OK because I ran a test and recorded my voice on the computer and it played back OK.

It appears that you & Dennis & Mark have answered my main question-how I can get the mic output and the computer output both into the TV ?

I will look into the sound card/mixer situation and when at home, I will plug it into my stereo system. When at a friend's house, I will use whatever they have-stereo system or TV.

I want to thank all three of you for your wisom and experience. This stuff is all new to me. I've been an MTU customer (and fan) for several years now-although I am not a karaoke pro.

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by ALAN E NORTH

Lonman,

I know now that the mic is working OK because I ran a test and recorded my voice on the computer and it played back OK.

Sorry it took me so long to reply, but it looks like you got there. As Roy said, the soundblaster software doesn't play well with Vista. It doesn't stop me though. I don't load the software in XP either. I prefer not to add the extra load to my computer. The hardware will plug and play in Vista or XP, you just can't use the software.

[ALAN E NORTH]

Mark/Roy,

Now that I have an answer to my question, I need to know which model to buy. I prefer the soundblaster external to the English model because it has an external protective case, whereas the English model appears to be a board w/o any protective case.

However, there are very few of these soundblaster models around and the Creative web site doesn't even show it any more. It must be an older model no longer supported by Creative.

If it's not asking too much, please go to the Amazon.com website using the URL below and see if this is the model I should buy-or if you think that Creative now has a different, more current model that would do the same job.

I appreciate your input-as I sure don't want to buy something that won't work-because of my limited knowledge in the area.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...3127433&sr=8-1

Thanks for your help,

Al North.

[marklwood]

Hey AL, that is the one I was talking about. I bought 2 refurb units for $10 each a 5-6 years ago and have had zero problems with it. I don't load the drivers (too much overhead) and it just works. If you are still online, check out this auction on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/Creative-Sound-B...3A1%7C294%3A50

This is the older version that I use on my show machine. I have an extra as a backup (no you can't have it) And just can't seem to find a reason to upgrade. It has been reliable and never had to worry about it.

[ALAN E NORTH]

MARK,

I saw that one on E Bay-but didn't want to bid until I knew it was the right one.

I went back and did place a bid.

Seems that you stay up as late as I usually do.

From one Night Owl to Another---Thanks !

Now I know what to do for sure.

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by ALAN E NORTH

I went back and did place a bid.

Seems that you stay up as late as I usually do.

From one Night Owl to Another---Thanks !

Good luck on the bid. I am fairly sporadic on the late nights. I never know when the insomnia will come The nice thing is the house is quite this time of day.

[ALAN E NORTH]

Mark,

The soundblaster card arrived yesterday and installing it was quick & easy. I get the sound out of the laptop all right-but couldn not get the mic to put out any sound.

When I tap it, I hear a 'pop'-but no sound comes out when I speak.

When all else fails, I believe in 'reading the instructions'-so I loaded the software disk and read the manual (didn't load the software-just the manual).

The whole manual has only one line in it concerning microphones. It says 'connect a condenser microphone" and that's it. No troubleshooting comments.

Now I don't know a 'condenser' mic from a hole in the ground-so I went to the internet to find out what it was.

I quickly found out that there are two basic types of mics-condenser and dynamic. The rest of the technical stuff didn't mean much to me.

It turns out that the mic that came with my karoke machine is 'dynamic-so I assume that's the reason it doesn't work with the Soundblaster card.

Does that sound about right to you ? I will look for a 'condenser' type mic on the internet-but I would like to know if I'm on the right track before I do so.

There is also the possibility that the soundblaster card is defective-but I think the problem is the wrong type of mic.

Your thoughts-or anybody else's ?

Thanx for your help !

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by ALAN E NORTH

MARK,
I saw that one on E Bay-but didn't want to bid until I knew it was the right one. I went back and did place a bid.

Looks like you got it too

[ALAN E NORTH]

Yep,

I just got an E mail from E Bay confirming that I am the 'winner'. Will probably take a week or so to get it. I'll let you know how it works out.

Appreciate your patience in helping me.