Mic not working with MAC Mini on Line in

Welcome to Apple Discussions!

The mini has a line-level audio input, for use with output from such things as stereo systems, CD players etc, and will therefore not work with the majority of standard PC mics, which don't output enough signal. If your mic is not amplified, that'll be the reason it doesn't appear to work.

Almost any USB mic will function with the mini, or you can get a device such as the Griffin iMic which will allow your existing mic to work. http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic

I had the same problem until I tried my (somewhat expensive) battery powered lapel mic. That one works fine, so, like Andy said, you need something with good amplification. You might want to invest in a battery powered mic.

Claire

Hi I have the same problem with my mac mini but I am trying to use a battery operated mic (Sony ECM MS907) which I have used lots before with an Olympus digital voice recorder. I have adjusted the sound settings to max and the mac mini sees that it is there. The input bars (in the sound menu) only register a sound if I am practically eating the mic when I talk. I even changed the battery in the mic to be on the safe side but no luck. Any ideas - I really want to use skype.

Thanks
Vivienne

Welcome to Apple Discussions!

I would say the fact you get some audio from the mic but not enough for viable use indicates that your present microphone is not outputting a high enough signal. Many elecret condeser type mics, and others with battery power sources output below line level voltages, so the input in the mini would simply not be sensitive enough to register the signal, and you would get exactly the results you describe.

There are microphone preamplifiers you could get to boost the mics signal level, or alternatively, a number of other microphones, including almost all USB devices of this type, which would likely serve your purposes very well.

isnt there some software thing to turn it from line in to mic in?
wold be very helpful

isnt there some software thing to turn it from line in to mic in?
wold be very helpful

No, there isn't. Software can't change the sensitivity of the input, nor the voltage of the microphone. Nor add amplification. All that's needed is compatible hardware.