View source for To use USB mini microphone on Raspbian

=='''Introduction'''==

[[File:mk1.jpg]]

This is a tiny USB Microphone that plugs into your laptop or desktop computer. No microphone on your computer? No problem - just plug this incredibly small microphone into a USB port and add microphone functionality. No need to install any extra software; Microsoft Windows will detect the device and automatically install it. Simply launch within any program such as Skype or Google Hangouts.

There is no need to configure the USB mini microphone, it can be used directly. 
You can also use it in Rasperry Pi which has been burned with Raspbian, Here are the steps.

==='''Components'''===
-Raspberry Pi

-A TF card burned with the Raspbian

-5V DC power adapter, 2A or above with micro USB interface

-HDMI interface display (or VGA interface display with a VGA to HDMI adaptor)

-USB mouse and keyboard

-Speakers or headphones in the standard of 3.5mm

-USB mini microphone

==='''Steps'''===
'''Step1:''' Ready to start the Raspberry Pi and insert the mini microphone module as well as audio/headphones.

Open the Terminal of the Raspberry Pi

[[File:mk2.jpg]]

'''Step2:''' Check the USB connection

Enter the following commands to check the usb connection

 lsusb

You can see the USB devices connected by the Raspberry Pi

[[File:mk3.jpg]]

'''“C-Media Electronics, Inc. CM108 Audio Controller”''' is the USB mini microphone.  
Check the microphone with arecord

 arecord -l
 
(“l” is lower “L”). You will see the recording device：

[[File:mk4.jpg]]

You will see device card1, device0. Use plughw:1,0 to represent. 

[[File:mk5.jpg]]

'''Step3:''' Records testing

Record for three seconds and play it 

 arecord -D plughw:1,0 -d 3.0 test.wav && aplay test.wav

[[File:mk6.jpg]]

Here we use arecord to record and aplay to play;“-D” to choose the device and “-d” to set the recording time

You can input “arecord --help” and “aplay --help” for details. 

If the sound is low, you can adjust the gain of the microphone.

'''Step4:''' Adjust the gain of the microphone 

Open the '''Audio Device Settings:'''
Open the '''Menu''' in the top left corner, and go through '''Preferences => Audio Device Settings.'''

[[File:mk7.jpg]] 

Choose '''USB PnP Sound Device(Alsa mixer)'''in the Sound card column.
It there appears '''No controls visible''', open the '''Select Controls''' in the lower left corner. 

[[File:mk8.jpg]]

Tick the '''Microphone''' in the '''Select Controls''' page and click '''Close''' in the lower right corner. 

[[File:mk9.jpg]]

At this time, '''No controls visible''' in the middle of the '''Audio Device Settings''' page becomes '''Capture.'''

Adjust the slider below to adjust the gain of the microphone. 

[[File:mk10.jpg]]

After adjusting, record again: 

 barecord -D plughw:1,0 -d 3.0 test.wav && aplay test.wav

Enjoy!