Here goes- I have used an audio-technica atr30 mic for years with the mic input jack on my computers with no problems! I damaged the mic input jack by catching my foot in the mic cable many times. I ‘repaired’ the jack and it worked for a brief time. I got XLR-USB adapters but Win 10 didn’t recognize them. I got an XLR-USB mic cable but once again my foot got in the way!! The humming in my recordings has increased and the volume is extremely low. I tried using Audacity, Sound settings, Microphone settings, DTS Control Panel settings, etc. but nothing helped. I have been told to try a USB sound card, a USB audio interface, amp, preamp and mixer, and such. Apparently the mic input jack on a pc has its own amp and such (crappy as they may be) but USB is a different story. I want to record voice for some site reviews that I do (mic input jack was fine for that) and maybe some voice-over work and e-book recording. I don’t want to do podcasts, record instruments, webinars, etc. I’m leaning towards either getting a new mic jack installed or a USB interface (have seen them for anywhere between $30 to $100+ and more) Budget is very small but flexible. Any suggestions? Thanks so much.
your issue may be a worn out soundcard on your pc, if it is old.
My reccomended fix would be to buy an audio interface, as usb soundcards are crappy, and have alot of mid range static.
For an audio interface i would reccomend the behringer uphoria umc 202 HD https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UMC202HD--behringer-u-phoria-umc202hd-usb-audio-interface
It is a budget in interface that works well, and seeing as you are using the AT30 you would not loose sound quality.
If you are filming for youtube ect, i would reccomend a new mic as well.
You said your budget is 100 $
the interface is around 60, and a good mic for 40 is available here:
Marantz Pro MPM-1000