The most common videoconferencing software options like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams all allow for the selection of your audio ‘device’. If you go to the ‘Settings’ menu and choose ‘Audio’ like you see above, you’ll be able to select your microphone. Think of this as you telling the computer which microphone you would like to use. The computer will show you all of your available microphones here, and you can chose the one you want to use when you’re running videoconferencing software.
If you’re using a mobile phone, you’re not left out in the cold! Many USB microphone solutions will work with iOS and Android, and many come with the cables you need to connect them to your phone. Finding a mic that works with your computer AND your mobile phone is a bonus – I’ve had plenty of classes where my school-issued device wasn’t working great and I switched to my phone in a pinch!
If you choose a wireless solution, you’re going to have 2 parts – the microphone with either a built in transmitter or connected to a transmitter via a cable, and a receiver with USB audio output. You’ll need to make sure the devices are ‘paired’ and talking to each other. Most wireless mic systems come paired from the factory, but you can always consult with the manual to look up how to pair them if things aren’t working great. You’ll place the microphone on your person where it can ‘pick up’ your voice, and you’ll plug the USB receiver into your computer’s USB port. Turn everything on, then head into the ‘settings’ menu on your conferencing software to select the mic and away you go!