Using an external microphone and internal speakers with iMac

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Level 1

14 points

Using an external microphone and internal speakers with iMac

I do a lot of video conferencing on my iMac. The internal speakers are fine for that purpose, but others in the conference say that the have difficulty hearing me because the sound quality isn't great. I've tried adjusting input volume and my position in relation to the internal mic but not much improvement. I have headphones with built in mic which gives much better results, but I would rather not have to wear headphones on a video conference. I have purchased a good quality Lavalier mic with 3.5mm 4 pole plug that plugs into the combine headphone/input jack on the iMac. The mic works fine, but the computer thinks there is an external speaker/headphone attached so doesn't play sound through the internal speakers. In setting/sound, it looks like I should be able to select external mic for the input and internal speakers for the output, but when the mic is plugged in I only get the option of selecting external speakers for the output. Any ideas on how to overcome this?

iMac with Retina 5K display, macOS 10.14

Posted on Mar 18, 2019 9:30 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 18, 2019 9:41 PM in response to Scout718

Have you tried selecting what you need by holding down the Option key, and making your selection in the Volume icon that is located in your menubar, assuming that you have "Show volume in menu bar" in the "Sound" prefs pane? It may not make a difference, but you never know. :)

I know that on my iMac, I can choose my Blue Yeti mike, and still select my internal speakers, if I want, instead of the headphones I have connected to my Blue Yeti.

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Answer 2

Mar 18, 2019 11:06 PM in response to Scout718

So you are saying that once you plug in your Lavalier mic, the option to select internal speakers just disappears from the "Output" menu? I don't know much about Lavalier microphones -- I don't use one. As I said, I use a Blue Yeti with my iMac. But is it possible that there is an accompanying app for your Lavalier mike which will allow you to make these types of settings? I know that this is the case with my Shure MV88 mike that connects to my iPhone. Also, it just occurred to me that just as is the case with some other apps, maybe you have to make audio selections in the app you are actually using to video conference. Other than these ideas, I am not sure what to tell you at this point.

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Answer 3

Mar 20, 2019 12:26 AM in response to Scout718

Have you tried logging in to your machine in Safe Mode to see if the problem persists there as well?

What about creating a new, experimental user account, and logging in there, to see if the new user is affected by the same problem as well?

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Answer 4

Scout718 Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 18, 2019 10:18 PM in response to WordWeaver777

Thanks, I just tried holding down the Option key and clicking on the volume icon, but still only get the option of external speakers when external mic is plugged in. I also tried with my Bose headphones that have a built in Mic, and again don't get the option of switching from external to internal when they are plugged in.

I've seen elsewhere someone saying they can select between different combinations of internal and external inputs and outputs, so I'm wondering whether it is a hardware issue rather than software.

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Answer 5

Scout718 Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 20, 2019 12:17 AM in response to WordWeaver777

There isn't any setting in the Apps and websites I am using that allow for selection of input and output devices, unfortunately.

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Answer 6

Mar 20, 2019 12:45 AM in response to Scout718

So if I understand you correctly, you have tried with two different headphone sets, and you get the same results. That is, in both cases, doing so cancels out the Internal Speakers output option. Or are you just repeating what you said in your OP when you mention the Bose headphones in your second comment further down on the page?

I am inclined to agree with you that it might be a hardware issue. That is why I suggested creating a new, virgin user account. If it is a software issue, then hopefully he won't be affected by the problem. However, if he is, then it may be pointing to a hardware problem.

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Using an external microphone and internal speakers with iMac

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