I'm running Ubuntu Studio (just upgraded to 14.10) with a Presonus AudioBox 2x2 USB audio interface. For Christmas I got myself a new MXL 990s condenser mic (60% off, sweet!), but when I plug it in ...
Almost all commercially available microphone amplifiers draw their power from a 48V phantom power supply. If this is unavailable or unsuitable, the solution is to build a self-powered amplifier.
Most PC “mic” inputs are pretty average for noise and distortion, and they’re usually mono. Plus, they can’t properly take balanced, pro microphones that often need 48-V phantom power. This ...