Android devices support a lot of external devices. From Bluetooth speakers to external hard drives, there really isn't much you can't hook up to an Android device anymore. However, one thing that users may have trouble with is an external microphone.

XDA Elite Recognized Developers AdamOutler and Rebellos are at it again. This time with a hardware mod that will allow better external mic support on most Samsung Galaxy devices. This includes the Galaxy Note II and the Galaxy Camera. AdamOutler explains the mod in more detail:

Elite Recognized Developer Rebellos searched the code, and we figured out that the device wouldn't recognize my mic because its Ohms are too low. The WolfsonMicro chip uses any value below 1000 Ohms to signify button presses. Above 1000 Ohms, it signifies a microphone. My microphone is a 900 Ohm microphone, so in all actuality, it's pretty high considering most are around 100-500 Ohms. However, Rebellos and I managed to hack through it. I wanted to share this method.

The result is a hardware mod that allows the use of larger external microphones. There are a few things to note. As Adam stated, in order to be detected, the mic must offer 1000 Ohms of resistance. If it doesn't, then the device won't register it as a microphone, but rather, as a button press. Since most of us don't want to buy an entirely new microphone, a tempting solution is to create an adapter to enable the one you already have to work on the device.

According to Adam, you'll be building a, "Samsung 4-pole to 1/4" Mic adapter with a 200 Ohm resistor inline." The process itself isn't overly difficult, and for frequent hardware modders, it should be a walk in the park. Since you're not soldering anything onto your device, you most likely aren't putting it in direct jeopardy. Just be careful not to burn yourself with that soldering iron.

If this looks like something worth trying, head over to the original thread.