Can I use a 3 pin mic for narration on Video Studio 12

[Mike Warren]

The USB mic I use for narration on my VS 12 creates poor quality sound. My question is, How can I use a good quality 3 pin mic (as used by entertainers) plugged into a small pre amp for narration on my computer with VS 12? I plugged it into my computer mic port via a 1/4 to 1/8 adapter plug... but nothing happened. The USB mic had come with a software disc. So how do I get my computer to recognize a 3 pin mic? Or is this an impossible match?

[Black Lab]

I plugged it into my computer mic port via a 1/4 to 1/8 adapter plug... but nothing happened.

Are you sure Windows was set to record?

BTW, it's called an XLR mic.

[Mike Warren]

I got the mic working but it will not work within VS 12, such as when I select the mic track in Timeline and select Mic record. The mic works but is not detected by VS 12 and doesn't record anything on to Timeline.

One other question. In VS 12, can the video track be "enlarged" or widened for more easy viewing of the thumbnail photos in that track?

Thanks very much. I really like the new VS 12.