MOTUnation.com

I have a Motu Ultralight. I know how to make recordings with a professional mic via one of the two XLR sockets, using some software like Audition (on Windows XP).

For the purposes of chatting on the internet (e.g., with Skype), I would like to use a cheap mic with a jack plug (or even one of those headsets with an attached mic, with two jack plugs, one for the mic, one for the phones). I know, this sounds quite easy but I could not get it to work.

Does anyone know what I have to do?

Many thanks for your help!

What kind of microphone is it?

Dynamic mics don't require a power supply and will work.
Condenser mics need 48V power but will work fine.

Electret microphones such as you get in headsets, mobile phones etc need 5V power ( normally delivered via the 'Ring' on a stereo 1/8" jack).

The Ultralite does not support 5V so if this is indeed your problem you will need to find a way to provide it, use a different mic or use an interface that does.

Hi!

Thanks for your answer and your help! It's a very cheap so-called "High Sensitive Microphone" (Trust Microphone MC-1200). - "High sensitive" is what Trust calls it. In my mini-manual it doesn't provide any more details about what type of mic it is. I only want to use it for chatting. I have a much better mic (with XLR connection) for proper recordings.

So am I correct in assuming that simply buying a jack-to-XLR adapter and connecting the MC-1200 to the MOTU Ultralight's MIC1 or MIC2 socket won't work (because of the lacking 5V) - neglecting that the adapter would cost more than the mic?

You could buy a stand for your XLR mic and use that.

Or buy an EMU 0202 or another interface which does have a 5V mic in.

Or go back to using the on board sound card with that mic.

Or find an independent method to supply 5V. Maybe with a battery.

Thanks again for your help!