Best Chromebook External Microphone

Best Chromebook External MicrophoneSome Chromebook users will want to add a Chromebook compatible external microphone. If you regularly use hangouts to chat, collaborate and work with others, having a good quality audio source can make the world of difference. Many of the Chromebook compatible web cams will have a microphone and you could always get a Chromebook compatible headset, but there could be a reason why you need a standalone external micrphone. Any external microphone you plug into a Chromebook is likely to get automatically selected by Chrome OS as the default mic in the Chromebook’s audio settings as soon as you plug it in.

Using an External Microphone on a Chromebook

Unlike on Mac or Windows, the external microphone won’t appear as a separate microphone to select but the “default” option in there is your external mic as long as it was selected by Chrome OS in the audio settings. Click on the Clock/Wifi/Battery indicator on the right side of the task bar, then go to audio settings by clicking on the arrow next to the volume slider. Make sure that your external mic is selected as the default microphone

 

Chromebook Microphone Connections

Remember that Chromehooks have a 3.5mm TRRS adapter. This allows the same port to be used for microphones and headphones. The 3.5mm TRRS male solder connector is commonly used for audio and video interfaces on portable electronic devices, iPhones and many camcorders. The TRRS connector is extremely popular with smartphones and tablets, and to some degree with computers, including Chromebooks and Macs. Unfortunately, there are two conflicting standards associated with its use with stereo unbalanced audio plus a mono microphone conductor.

 

Best Chromebook External Microphones

As mentioned, most USB Microphones will make great external Chromebook microphones. A few really stood out. Primarily the Chromebook compatible microphones made by Buddy Products. If you are looking for a different type of USB Microphone to use with a Chromebook, it must not require drivers to operate.

 

Buddy FlamingoMic 7G work on Chromebook

USB Plug-and-Play microphone with a right angle USB-A connector Revolutionary FilteredAudio™ technology coupled with unidirectional microphone, provides clear voice capture even in extremely noisy environments Ideal for voice applications, such as speech recognition, dictation, transcription, Skype®, Google Talk®, Google Voice®, net meeting, webinars and any other VoIP application

 

Buddy Products Amigo Cobra USB Desktop Microphone with Filtered Audio Technology

From the makers of Buddy Microphones with Buddy 7G technology, a microphone especially designed for home user. USB Plug-and-Play comes with 8′ (2.5m) USB attached white cable with USB-A connector. Revolutionary Filtered Audio technology coupled with unidirectional microphone, provides clear voice capture even in extremely noisy environments Ideal for voice applications, such as speech recognition, dictation, transcription, Skype®, Google Talk®, Google Voice®, net meeting, webinars and any other VoIP application Works with any host that supports USB device interface. Tested to work with Windows®, Mac®, Linux® and Chrome OS®

 

VAlinks Plug and Play 3.5mm Adjustable Home Audio PC/Desktop/Laptop

Omnidirectional condenser microphone features noise-cancelling and clear voice; the ON/OFF switch is user-friendly to control the micLacquer finish makes the microphone fashionable, durable and fadeless agaisnt long-term use3.5mm plug with 1.5m/5ft soft and chaos-free PVC jacketed cabl

 

Using a Microphone and Webcam on ChromeOS

You can use your camera and microphone for sites in Chrome, like Google Hangouts or Skype. Sometimes, you need to give sites permission first.

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Navigate to a site that wants to use your microphone and camera.
  3. In the dropdown that appears, you have a few options:
    • Allow: This allows the site to use your camera and microphone. You’ll see a notice to confirm this.
    • Block: This prevents the site from using your camera and microphone. Note: Some sites won’t work if you choose this option. For example, you might not be able to join a video conference.