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Thread ID: 87211 2008-02-12 18:13:00 use a computer as PA system Sabre (285) Press F1
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639760 2008-02-12 18:13:00 We have a ceiling mounted projector and speakers attached to a new HP computer at SeniorNet, which we use for instructing students.

We have been lent a lapel wireless microphone and sending unit and would like to be able to connect it to the computer so the lecturer can be heard through the overhead speakers. Is this technically possible. Would we need a preamp? I understand the sound card is incorporated in the motherboard. Would we need an additional sound card?

We have been able to use a turntable with a built-in preamp to play music from vinyl records through computer speakers so what is the difference with a microphone?
Sabre (285)
639761 2008-02-12 19:07:00 Big speakers maybe a bit heavy for onboard soundcards.

It'll probably blow the soundcard, if the volume is too high.

An amp will probably help.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
639762 2008-02-12 19:32:00 We have a ceiling mounted projector and speakers attached to a new HP computer at SeniorNet, which we use for instructing students .

We have been lent a lapel wireless microphone and sending unit and would like to be able to connect it to the computer so the lecturer can be heard through the overhead speakers . Is this technically possible . Would we need a preamp? I understand the sound card is incorporated in the motherboard . Would we need an additional sound card?

We have been able to use a turntable with a built-in preamp to play music from vinyl records through computer speakers so what is the difference with a microphone?

Absolutely no problem - just connect the lapel mic just like any normal microphone to the PC (pink socket) . Make sure that you adjust the volume of the mic in the Mixer on the PC .
somebody (208)
639763 2008-02-12 19:34:00 Couple of questions.

How big is the room ?

How many students ?

What type of speakers are they ? ceiling or mounted on computer ?

I would avoid using the soundcard and computer speakers for PA work.

Tell me more please.
wmoore (6009)
639764 2008-02-15 09:09:00 The room holds 8 computers and there would be about 8 to 15 students some of whom are getting hard of hearing. The speakers are the ordinary ones you would plug in to a computer, though the cord is longer than usual which I guess raises the resistance. They work just fine with music or sound from a video. I will try the advice from Somebody and get back to you. Maybe we may have to try a preamp.

Sabre.
Sabre (285)
639765 2008-02-15 20:00:00 The room holds 8 computers and there would be about 8 to 15 students some of whom are getting hard of hearing. The speakers are the ordinary ones you would plug in to a computer, though the cord is longer than usual which I guess raises the resistance. They work just fine with music or sound from a video. I will try the advice from Somebody and get back to you. Maybe we may have to try a preamp.

Sabre.

Since you're using normal PC speakers, there's absoutely no problem at all. If the wireless lapel mic is a professional one, it'll either be outputing "line level (+4db)" or "mic level (-10db)" signal. Make sure you have it switched to "Mic Level" - usually there's a small switch, otherwise it'll just be a matter of turning the volume control down, to make sure you don't damage the soundcard.

The main thing is to make sure the Mic is enabled in the Windows Volume Control mixer area, as it is usually muted.
somebody (208)
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