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Message: <blockquote data-quote="iveljay" data-source="post: 3609815" data-attributes="member: 37260">The Zoom output should drive computer speakers without any problems.The main potential problem may be the length of cable between the mic and the Zoom that will introduce some degradation of the signal. The quality of the cable will be important, but without trying it out I cannot really predict if it will be a problem or not.Looking at potential alternatives to your mic, the following appears to get over the PIP problem by having its own switchable low voltage power supply.<a href="https://www.amazon.com/BOYA-Electret-Condenser-Microphone-Smartphones/dp/B00MP566OM/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1504167956&sr=8-15&keywords=3.5mm+microphones" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/BOYA-Electret-Condenser-Microphone-Smartphones/dp/B00MP566OM/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1504167956&sr=8-15&keywords=3.5mm+microphones</a>I would expecty there to be lots of alternatives, but this is the first I came across and is even cheaper than the ETM-001. Assuming that I was not recording remotely with a directional mic I would probably have a dynamic mic of the kind used by performers connected by balanced XLR connector terminated cables to a mixer that would provide enough output to drive the computer speakers. A reasonable dynamic mic can be picked up for less than a ETM-001, say about $20, something like a Behringer Q502USB for the mixer/pre-amp and 10 metres of XLR to XLR cable to join the two. The only reason I an picky over the cheapish mixer is that many serve up 48v phantom power and that you wouldn't want, the Q502 allows you to switch it off. The trouble is that you are talking in the region of $100 for this sort of setup without waterproofing the mic and its connector. The cable is considerably bigger than that you would need for your ETM-001 solution and would be noticeable and possibly a nuisance, and if there are any unexpected problems you are a bit on your own. The upside is that it would free up the Zoom recorder. So summing up:a) Clearly the minimum risk solution is to buy the ready made box.b) The 'home-brew' solution with minimum cost and hence least potential loss is something like the Boya solution followed by your ETM-001 solution. This has the potential to work if the mic is happy with the length of cabling, and will free up the need for PIP but still needs a pre-amp if you dont want to tie up your Zoom recorder. However before investing in a pre-amp make sure that it works using your Zoom recorder.A low end pre-amp that will take a jack input will cost about $50. The following looks typical, you may need an adapter to change your jack plug to fit. I have not tried this unit so I am not recommending it, but again it was the first suitable looking item I came across.<a href="https://www.amazon.com/ART-TubeMP-Tube-Microphone-Preamp/dp/B0002GZZNY/ref=sr_1_4?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1504169085&sr=1-4&keywords=microphone+pre-amp" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/ART-TubeMP-Tube-Microphone-Preamp/dp/B0002GZZNY/ref=sr_1_4?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1504169085&sr=1-4&keywords=microphone+pre-amp</a>c) My alternative won't show a great cost benefit over the ready made box, it should work, but obviously without actually building, testing it and fixing any niggles myself there could be no guarantees. The upside is that it frees up the Zoom from the ETM solution, and potentially will give clearer signals, but uses much bigger microphones and cables that will be very obvious, more difficult to waterproof and far harder to locate in a good position for optimum sound quality. From your point of view it is the highest risk alternative, but the opposite for me as I have boxes of variations of mics, cables and mixers/recorders to play with.This sums up my honest view of the situation.</blockquote>

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