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Use headphone jack as input

I have a new Macbook Pro 13" 2019 w/ four thunderbolt 3 ports. I am trying to use the headphone jack as an input to record music into programs such as GarageBand and Audacity. However, there is no option in the sound settings to use the port as the input. It only shows the built-in microphone as a possible choice for the input. My instrument is plugged in properly to the computer. Can anyone assist me please and thank you?

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Jan 4, 2020 12:22 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 4, 2020 1:44 PM

maybe...all I can tell you is that your MacBook Pro does support mic input via the headphone jack, but only with combination earbuds/mic, like the ones you might have used with your iPhone or other smart phone. otherwise it's USB. the plug on those combination earbuds/mic is a little different than the standard one, rather than having 3 poles (3 stripes) on the 3.5 mm plug, it has 4 poles (4 stripes) on it. That's where the gotcha is. that's called a TRRS plug, and you can get an adapter for it, so that 3 stripe regular stuff will work with it, such as your instrument. Otherwise, you'd have to buy a 1/4" plug to usb adapter, or some other USB audio interface to get it to work


that's all I have


john b

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 4, 2020 1:44 PM in response to degduarmarte

maybe...all I can tell you is that your MacBook Pro does support mic input via the headphone jack, but only with combination earbuds/mic, like the ones you might have used with your iPhone or other smart phone. otherwise it's USB. the plug on those combination earbuds/mic is a little different than the standard one, rather than having 3 poles (3 stripes) on the 3.5 mm plug, it has 4 poles (4 stripes) on it. That's where the gotcha is. that's called a TRRS plug, and you can get an adapter for it, so that 3 stripe regular stuff will work with it, such as your instrument. Otherwise, you'd have to buy a 1/4" plug to usb adapter, or some other USB audio interface to get it to work


that's all I have


john b

Use headphone jack as input

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