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Microphones are devices that receive audio input and convert it into an electronic signal. They can be connected to most sound cards and can be used to record audio, issue voice commands, dictate text, and even have phone conversations through certain modems.

You will need to purchase a microphone in order to use certain applications, such as Sound Recorder, Microsoft Voice, Microsoft Phone, and IBM ViaVoice. However, some applications, especially text-dictation software, come with their own microphones. Certain sound cards also come with their own microphones, such as the Creative AWE 64 Gold.

Computer microphones typically come in one of three forms. The most common microphones are meant to be placed on one's desk. Microphones can also be found in the form of headsets, which have a protruding mouthpiece to speak into. Some microphones can be attached to one's monitor so as not to take any desk space.

Though computer microphones can vary greatly in price, models in the $15 to $30 price range should be suitable for most tasks. If you will frequently use the microphone for such tasks as text dictation and voice commands, you should consider the purchase of a headset (which is often more expensive than a desktop or monitor microphone). Remember that you will need a sound card that accepts audio input to use a microphone. You can easily make sure your sound card supports this by checking to see if it has a line in port.

A new microphone can be installed in about 2 minutes. No tools are needed.

Click here for a list of links to microphone manufacturers.