Cheap Mics for SmartMusic
I recently purchased a set of five REALLY cheap clip on microhones from eBay (they came directly from China) and tested them with SmartMusic. They work extremely well (with a violin at least). They cost under $1.50 each with shipping. The clip is a little more flimsy, but anyone can be handy with a clothes pin if the clip were to break.
I also purchased some inexpensive 10 ft. extension cables (also from eBay) to use with the microphones to allow for more slack on the cable. This is especially handy if a microphone input jack is on the rear of the computer. These items also worked very well and were decent quality. These are under $2.00 with shipping.
For about $3.50 each students can have working SmartMusic microphones with a long cable. Compare that to the Windows microphone that SmartMusic sells for $19.99 plus tax & shipping!
NOTE: Mac Users, who require a line-level source are required to use a USB audio device. I have experimented with generic USB audio interfaces (like a USB stick) with good results. They work well with these microphones.
I’m hoping to purchase more from the same sellers so that I can forward the savings on to my students! Now if I could only find SmartMusic subscriptions for $3.50 per year!
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Thank you very much for this useful information. After the $40.00 purchase of a SmartMusic student license, I was dismayed thinking I needed to spend another $20.00 on a SmartMusic mic.
Are the microphones you are talking about the Neewer 3.5 mm ones? I’m looking to purchase one, and I want to make sure they are the right kind.
Hello,
Yes, there are many different variations of the “generic” mics, but theAmazon reviews. The link is for THREE microphones for $6.95 and ship free if you are an Amazon Prime customer.
I will add a note that if you are using a Windows PC, you should be good with one of these, but a Mac will require a USB adapter because Macs don’t accept “mic level” input. Hope this helps! Let us know how this works for you!
Wow I couldn’t believe my luck in finding you, as I just got the smart music and learned I need a mic. My iPad doesn’t seem to need one, it just picks up the sound and tells me what a lousy violin player I am. Oh just kidding. I will order the mic set and give the rest of them to my grand daughter and her orchestra friends at school.