Q: Converting a mic level signal to a line level signal.

Question

Anduril2012

Level 1 (4 points)

Desktops

Q: Converting a mic level signal to a line level signal.

Friday, 24 June 2016

Re: My computer: Mac mini (mid 2010)

The model number is A1347

Okay. I am wondering whether the Apple Support Community can help me with this problem.

I bought a 2016 version of a SADES 810S Gaming Headset that is supposed to be compatible with Mac. I tried plugging the headset into my Mac mini in the hope that I would be able to have conversations while using a Magic Jack. While I can hear the people talking to me perfectly clearly with the Magic Jack, they could not hear me speaking into the microphone of the headset.

I tested the headset with a smart ‘phone and the mic and headphones worked well. So, the mic is not defective. I have found out that my model Mac mini requires a Line Level microphone. The microphone on the “2016 New Version Headset for PS4 PC SADES SA-810 Gaming Headset” is not line level it seems, but the lower mic level. So, the microphone on the headset is not putting out the strength it needs to function in the line level microphone jack of the Mac mini.

On one web-site I saw this quotation:

“Mic Level is the amount of signal you get from a microphone. It is much lower than Line level and therefore needs to be boosted by a preamp in order to be usable in a recording situation.”

What I need is gadget that will allow me to plug the mic level 3.5 mm microphone of a headset, into my Mac mini, which will then convert the low microphone level into a Line Level signal, when plugged into (the line level) microphone jack/outlet of the Mac mini. Is there such a gizmo?

Mac mini (Mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jun 24, 2016 2:31 PM

I have this question too

Q: Converting a mic level signal to a line level signal.

All replies

Helpful answers

by lllaass,Helpful

lllaass Jun 25, 2016 1:11 PM in response to Anduril2012
Level 10 (189,879 points)

Desktops

Jun 25, 2016 1:11 PM in response to Anduril2012

Does it one or two 3.5 mm plugs?
The headphone jack on the Mac should include a contact for a mic. To check see:
How to use Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic with your Mac - Apple Support
Reply options

Link to this post

by den.thed,Helpful

den.thed Jun 25, 2016 1:24 PM in response to Anduril2012
Level 7 (27,686 points)

Jun 25, 2016 1:24 PM in response to Anduril2012

If your headset has independent 3.5mm input and output jacks, then you can use something like the Griffin iMic.
https://www.amazon.com/Griffin-Technology-iMic-original-Adapter/dp/B003Y5D776/re f=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=14668…

If not, then you would be better off with a Mac compatible USB headset, for use now and in the future with a newer Mac system.
Reply options

Link to this post

by Anduril2012,

Anduril2012 Jun 25, 2016 1:27 PM in response to den.thed
Level 1 (4 points)

Desktops

Jun 25, 2016 1:27 PM in response to den.thed

Saturday, 25 June 2016

Dear Den.Thed,

Many, many thanks for your reply! The iMic USB Stereo Input and Output Audio Adapter looks like the answer to my problem!! I will investigate this further, but from what I have read on Amazon, with the link that you provided, it seems to hold the answer to what I have been looking for weeks on end. The reviews on the iMic web-page also give further encouragement to my conclusion that the mic level line of the microphone on the headset can be converted to line level amplitude -- if that is the right term. OH BOY! I could hug you. I knew this gadget must exist somewhere, but I had no idea what it would be, or what it would be called. Thank you once gain for providing this information.

My SADES SADES 810S Gaming headset can be found on Amazon.com as ASIN B01D30Q868 or at

https://www.amazon.com/Version-Headphones-PlayStation4-Reduction-microphone/dp/B 01D30Q868/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1466885565&sr=8-1&keywords=ASIN+B 01D30Q868

The headset comes with two 3.5 mm jacks: one for the microphone part and one for the headphones. The box included a 1 x 2 to 1 adapter, which allows me to plug both 3.5 mm jacks into it and then connect the adapter with its single 3/5mm jack into a line-in jack, like into the control pod of my Logitech Multimedia Speakers Z213. See?

All the best.
Reply options

Link to this post

by den.thed,

den.thed Jun 25, 2016 1:41 PM in response to Anduril2012
Level 7 (27,686 points)

Jun 25, 2016 1:41 PM in response to Anduril2012

You are welcome!
Reply options

Link to this post

Q: Converting a mic level signal to a line level signal.

All replies Helpful answers

by lllaass,★Helpful

by den.thed,★Helpful

by Anduril2012,

by den.thed,

All replies

Helpful answers

by lllaass,Helpful

by den.thed,Helpful