Computer audio jack / plug question

Me | 12/23/2022 | Paul R.

[Paul R.]

Ok, so I'm behind on computer tech: So far as I can tell, most current desktop and laptop computers have gone to* a single (TRRS) Tip-Ring-Ring-Sleeve audio jack (plug) for audio in and out, configured as: Tip = Out/Left, Outer Ring = Out/Right, Inner Ring = Ground, Sleeve = Mic/In. Well, hooey bluey, this means there's no stereo line input... Is the best option to use a stereo-line-to-USB adaptor?**

[Paul R.]

*This happened 1st in smaller laptops, tablets, etc.; i now seems ubiquitous in laptops and TRRS is used in most if not almost all desktops, at least desktops @ medium and lower prices.

**Great, more need to lug around a USB hub if mobile and wanting to record line input stereo off my old analog mixer, then there are issues of audio quality in the adaptor and (maybe) the hub... If at home using such a desktop, then it's just the adaptor.

Yeah, regarding a hub, I know, once the signal is digitized further degradation should be minimal. "Should be". (I'm not a $30k speakers in my Living Room level audiophile, but neither do Anker SoundCore speakers keep me happy if I'm doing careful listening!)

Thoughts on a Friday night?

[Paul R.]

Thanks in advance!

[yetidog]

Bluetooth?

[bigbob]

Yes, but beware that most of them only provide mono input for a mic, not stereo inputs. Very frustrating! One that works well and is reasonably priced is the USB Stereo Audio Adapter External Sound Card with SPDIF Digital Audio and Stereo Mic. They will go to 96khz (vs 48 for some of their other models) and no problem on Win or Linux. Good for recording from any analog stereo source.

[TexasGator]

“Mic/In. Well, hooey bluey, this means there’s no stereo line input..”

TRRS = Ground-Left-Right-Micrphone

[Dr. Sivana]

I have seen plenty with three rings, to allow for mic input for headsets (not necessarily stereo mic input). There are VERY small USB hubs and plenty of USB adaptors for stereo line input. Creative Labs used to make a GREAT, high quality, external USB IN/OUT amplifier. I used it for editing professional grade audio books.Something like a Sound Blaster G3 would be VERY compact (though not as full-featured as my old rig , that had digital knobs on it).

https://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-g3

[bigbob]

StarTech: https://www.startech.com/en-co/cards-adapters/icusbaudio2d

[Gaffer]

https://www.cablechick.com.au/blog/understanding-trrs-and-audio-jacks/

[Paul R.]

Thx. Size is a modest factor, a larger factor is just keeping track of all the small accessories when mobile — or even at home sometimes! Sometimes MORE at home, I think!!!

;-)

[Paul R.]

Depends on application / equipment — SFAIK, laptops’ TRRS jacks are generally as I mentioned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vCu5NvmnNc

1:54

and,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phone_connector_(audio)

(TRRS Standards section)

[Paul R.]

Not a bad explanation of the connections, but flawed about bi-directionality, which falls apart if “mic” is the only input.

[Paul R.]

Looks interesting!

[Hodar]

Bob Carver, an audiophile Electrical Engineer back in the 1980’s demonstrated that to ACCURATELY reproduce the sound of a scissors cutting construction paper, requires nearly 1,000 watts of INSTANTANEOUS power to accurately reproduce.

So the question boils down to “How good is good enough?” Yes, there is definitely a point of diminishing return on audio. A $300 system sounds fair, a $3,000 system probably sounds significantly better. A $10,000 system may sound even “better”, but is that difference worth the money? It’s your call. For some, the answer is “absolutely”; others is “nope”.

At 62 yrs old, my hearing isn’t what it used to be. But, I can still appreciate the science that goes into a good system

[fireman15]

Is the best option to use a stereo-line-to-USB adaptor?**

Yes, some of them are tiny and take up barely more space than a cable; they are powered by the USB connector itsef in most cases.

The audio/mic inputs on laptops even if yours have been provided with separate jacks have typically not been of high quality. It is not just the wiring and the jacks... the analog to digital converters in laptops typically have had low quality components. I cannot tell you how many USB audio adapters that I have purchased over the years. Before that I purchased expensive sound cards for the desktop PCs I put together. Even the Sound Blasters were way better than what comes in laptops these days.

Currently, decent little M-Audio and other USB audio interfaces that you can plug a stereo line out or a decent mic or set of mics into can be purchased for around $50; the Behringers and others are cheaper than that. There are many ways to go with this. You can also buy inexpensive mics with USB cables and A/D adapters built in as well. Nearly all of them outperform the recording capabilities of a laptop.

https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-U-CONTROL-UCA202-Ultra-Low-Interface/dp/B000KW2YEI

[Svartalfiar]

What do you have that’s actually a separate stereo input? A single mic is nearly always a mono input (if you see a stereo signal, it’s the exact same L/R)(three wires doesn’t mean stereo - balanced and stereo are NOT the same thing). You mention you’re going in from a mixer, but are your sources actually L/R? You have separate L/R physical mics, whose channels are each faded completely L or R going to the main out?

Does this recording actually need to be separately tracked?

[Svartalfiar]

Forgot to mention, if you actually do have the full stereo setup / requirement, you can always just buy a recording device, then copy that over to the laptop after. Marantz, Zoom (not the Chinese web video company), Tascam, Sony, and a couple others all make small handheld-sized, battery or plug powered, XLR or 1/8, audio recording devices. Record to SD/miniSD, then just drop it on your computer.

[Vendome]

Get stereo-line-to-USB adaptor. I use it to make phone calls from my CRM interface. The bass coming through is terrific.

As for the soundcore flare 2 speakers, I bought one a month ago. Loved it so much I bought two more and paired em.

Great sound.

Buying some more and putting them in garage, master bathroom, kitchen

I’m urgently using them to play white noise and aid my sleep.

[CFW]

And this my dear friends, is why I have grand-children. My grandson can tell me which cable I need to order, what configuration each connecting end needs to be on the cable, and what length it needs to be to connect two electronics and make it all magically work. His dad did that task for me years ago, but it has been passed down to the next generation.

So, I can’t help, other than tell you to adopt a 12-15 year old grandson.

Best of luck!

[Vendome]

I’m currently using them to play white noise and aid my sleep.

[Paul R.]

Yes, the signal from the mixer is sometimes from multiple sources and mics, mixed down to stereo. (L/R fades are often partial, BTW, as anyone who's played with being even amateur "recording engineer knows.) I also experiment with binaural recording. AND, I have a lot of old analog recordings on or from LP's (and various assortment / compilation tapes made on my Nakamichi recorder) that I want to preserve. They may be a little noisy, but the actual dynamics of the recordings are often far superior to modern "Loudness Wars" junk (including many a "remastered" reissue). Not to mention the musical content itself.