Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Can I connect a USB mic to an audio system that has jack inputs?

I have a USB microphone, with a standard USB A "male" plug to connect it to a PC. Is it possible to get a converter so I can plug this mic into a standard 3.5mm or 6.35mm audio jack socket?

If so can anyone point me in the direction of a supplier for a converter? Or some basic instructions for a DIY solution.

Update:

2 answers have mentioned XLR connectors, which I have never heard of but according to Wikipedia are found on professional audio kit. I'm asking if the USB can be converted to fit a home audio jack, of the kind you get in "normal" PC sound inputs or home stereos. The same kind of jack used in headphones.

3 Answers

Relevance
  • 9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    You cannot convert a USB mic to be a normal XLR mic. There is no converter. Sorry.

  • 9 years ago

    Many mics. have XLR terminals and an xlr lead which can easily be changed over. If the USB mic is like this it's better just to buy another lead that has a jack plug on the free end. You can get adaptors but they are best avoided as they add more connections to the signal path, and make the plug-in part longer so if it gets pulled it has more force to damage the socket it goes into.

  • 9 years ago

    Not through the USB. That is a PC system bus connection, not some sort of audio signal you can do something with.

    You need to modify the microphone to get around the USB interface chip, so you have the analog for what you need.

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.