6.35mm Mic or???

poggwea · February 17, 2017

https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/X99A-GODLIKE-GAMING-CARBON.html#hero-overview

Looking to setup a condenser Mic with that board and was wondering since it a 6.35mm jack weather I could use that as a mic jack with an XLR to 6.35mm cable, or if it had to be a headphone jack.

Dargenfire · February 17, 2017

That won't work.

XLR Mics rely on 48V Phantom power (unless they're battery powered) being put into the mic line. No motherboard supports Phantom power AFAIK.

If you have a XLR condenser mic, you'll need a preamp to power the mic. The preamp will then have a 3.5mm or 6.35mm output that you can plug into your motherboard.

Example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=twister_B01GFN48PS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

This preamp actually connects to your PC via USB, instead of an audio jack AND it has a headphone amp as well This will result in better audio quality from your mic, as the USB connection means that the signal isn't being converted to analog.

Also, the headphone amp will be better quality than any motherboard amp.