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The compact MicPort Pro allows you to plug a pro microphone into your USB port.

The MicPort Pro is one of those pro-audio tools that gets the job done. It isn’t flashy, but makes up for the utilitarian look in performance.

You’ve likely seen them before. Small “converters” that allow you to plug a professional XLR microphone (dynamic or Phantom powered condenser) into your computers USB port. What sets the MicPort Pro apart from the crowd?

As I opened the large box, first impressions were quality with a no-nonsense appearance. The black anodized, extruded aluminum casing not only looks pro, but helps keep the internals shielded. Included in the box is a small guide, a fabric carry pouch and a 6′ long USB cable.

Visible from the top of the “tube” are 2 smooth feeling pots that allow you to separately adjust the pre-amp mic gain and the headphone monitor gain. At one end, you will find a female XLR connector. On the other end of the MicPort Pro is a mini-USB connector, a small 48 volt Phantom button complete with lighted indicator and an 1/8″ headphone connection. You will know when the MicPort Pro is plugged into a USB 1.1 or 2.0 connector because the XLR side of the capsule has a small, lighted ring that comes to life. No batteries or external power are required.

How does it perform? As I write this, the street price for a MicPort Pro runs around $149. That’s a fair amount of money and the compelling reason for trying one in Studio1A. There are basically four functions going on inside the MicPort Pro. First, there is the microphone pre-amp stage, then the analog (mic) to digital (USB) conversion, microphone headphone amplifier and finally the voltage up-conversion for Phantom power. Weighing in at 2.2 ounces and about 4.5″ long, there is a lot going on inside this small device.

The real test is plugging in my trusty phones and a well known mic to hear the MicPort Pro in action. The headphone pre-amp is extremely quiet while delivering plenty of gain. The signal you hear emanates from an analog amplifier. Keep in mind that the actual mic signal is converted to digital at 24-bit/96kHz. Windows XP Pro automatically set the MicPort Pro as my default sound device.

Although tested on Windows XP, the MicPort Pro claims Vista compatibility as well as Mac OS X Core Audio compliance. In testing the MicPort Pro on XP, I downloaded and installed the free ASIO driver from CEntrance, which was needed for recording on Sony Sound Forge 9.

One simple feature sets the MicPort Pro apart from others and justifies its price: quality.

The shear amplitude (always turn down the mic and headphone pots BEFORE plugging in) of clean monitoring audio coupled with a low-noise, linear mic pre-amp make the MicPort Pro worth every penny.

Have a listen as we try out the MicPort Pro…

MicPort Pro (street price at publish time $149.95)

Best,
MarkJensen

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