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What Is Analog Input

Analog inputs of sound card

Analog inputs is connectors for analog signal (guitar, microphone, sinthesizer) incoming to audio card. Read to know what are output there and how to use them.

updated

Author: Yuri Korzunov,
Audiophile Inventory's developer with 25+ year experience in digital signal processing,
author of the articles that make audio easy for beginners

 

 

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Line inputs

Line input is a connector for input to sound card signals with standard level (250 millivolts = 250 mV = 0.25 volts). Sources: output mixer, synthesizer, tape, CD-player, etc.

Line Inputs

 

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Microphone input

Signal from Microphone input (mic input) is amplified by microphone preamplifier.

Microphone Inputs



Microphones divided two types: dynamic and condenser (electret).

Microphone output signal is very weak. So we will not hear microphone connected to line input. Some condenser microphones have internal preamp.

Dynamic microphone does not need power. Amateur electret microphones are often powered by batteries, placed in the microphone.

Impedance of mic input is 600 Ohm.

 

Phantom Power

Professional condenser microphones require feeding a so-called phantom power 48 V.

Phantom Power 48V



Phantom power is supply voltage passed audio signal wires.

Therefore, if you are going to use a condenser microphone, there are 2 options:

      a) Buy sound card with integrated microphone preamplifier supporting phantom power.

      b) If the card has only line outputs, you have to purchase a mic preamp that provides phantom power.

Microphome Preamplifier

 

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Instrumental input (Hi-Z)

Instrumental input (Hi-Z) is connector for guitar or bass guitar. It allows more fully consistent sound card impedance with guitar pickups for whole frequency range (more uniform frequency response).

Instrumental Input

Required number of inputs is determined how much you want to record sound sources simultaneously. You can record on one instrument in series or playing simultaneously several parties: vocal group or acoustic drum set, various drums and cymbals are written with several individual microphones.

 

Read what is analog output here...

 

 

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