facetime external usb mic issue with Mac OS 12.1

I just received a USB Shure MV7 today and had the same problem - would not recognise the microphone as an input device for FaceTime.

MacOS is at 12.2.1 on my M1 MacBook Pro and the Shure was updated to the latest firmware (1.2.13) upon plugging it in to the laptop.

I have been able to work around this issue but it took another piece of software to do it. For this, I used SoundSource by Rogue Amoeba software. In the SoundSource interface, I changed the System Input to be "Shure MV7". I then added FaceTime to the Favorites section and chose "Shure MV7".

In FaceTime, I configured it to use "Use System Setting" in Video -> Output. (Note: there is no setting for Input).

This worked without issue. When you unplug the MV7, the sound settings go back to their defaults. Settings for the microphone are remembered, however, and will automatically configure themselves when the mic is plugged back in to the laptop.

Frankly, it's a pain to have to do this and it adds expense but at least my brand new microphone will work with my machine. Really looking forward to Apple fixing this, though, as it seems it is very clearly their problem.

12.2 released today didn't fix the issue, at least for me. However, I have found a workaround allowing any of the "problematic" USB microphones and interfaces to be detected in FaceTime and it actually works for both incoming and outcoming calls. I have used https://rogueamoeba.com/loopback/ and created a virtual interface with that USB mic as an input. Unfortunately, this solution is not cheap (the app is $99). So far tried with MV7 and Motu M2 - worked with both.

Happy to report that macOS beta 12.2 (available for testing this afternoon) seems to have fixed the problem. Join the beta testing program and download. I'll be keeping my 12.0.2 startup SSD disk handy just in case things go south. For now though, it seems to be working well.

Hello roland1970,

I have the same issue with everyone else here regarding FT not recognizing several USB mics. I have 2 USB mics; Rode NT and Shure MV5. The Rode NT is recognized by FT (Microphone and Output); however, FT only recognized the Shure MV5 as Output.

The work around that works for me, so far, is this: In the sound system setting, I selected Shure MV5 as Input and Output (headphones plugged into the USB mic itself). Then on FT, I selected to Use System Setting for Microphone and Output. I tested it on numerous calls (video and audio) and IT WORKS!

I am uncertain as to why, after the macOS Monterey updates, my USB mic doesn't work as it should, and it is a PITA!

My system is:

• Mac Mini M1
• Apple Thunderbolt Monitor with HD camera
• Logitech Brio Magnetic
• Shure MV5
• Rode NT
• Sound Blaster XG6
• Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 ohms
• OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock

I hope this helps.

Have spent considerable time with Apple senior advisor on this issue over the past few days. They've taken screen shots and uploaded technical data from my computer to Apple Engineering. Report from my call today is that Apple is aware of the issue from several different users and is currently working on a fix. Currently they don't know what's causing the issue. They suggest keeping system updated with the latest release as they will push out a fix with a new release (didn't commit to when). There is nothing wrong with my MacBook Air M2 nor with the external USB mics (Sure MV5 and Rode USB). Senior advisor did suggest that as many users as possible should report the issue as the more technical data Apple Engineering has the better. As I require my external mic to work, I will continue to use 12.0.1 as my active boot (the last known stable release before this became a problem) and will continue to update my test boot that is on an external SSD. Will update that one and test to see if it's fixed. Will report if fixed.

Good grief, I have finally solved this solution on my end. Simple answer: on my UAD Apollo Solo, I had my microphone plugged into Input 2. Most apps are completely fine with this, and will just take the input of the interface full stop. Facetime...... No. It will only take Input 1. Swapped around my cables, instant result.

Thanks to this MacRumors thread for the push in the right direction: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/facetime-on-imac-2019-external-mic.2228035/

This issue is fixed in macOS 12.3. Just upgrade.

**** Issue Solved **** I had all the same issues that everyone else had on this thread. I have a Motu M2 USB audio interface and a Rode Procaster Mic, I have the Mac Mini M1. The issues mentioned from everyone were the same as me. I solved this by downloading the latest B * e * ta Mac OS 12.3 (sorry but for some reason if you use the correct spelling of B* e * ta Apple removes the post?). Everything now works as it should. I can use facetime with my Rode mic with no issues. I can use WhatsApp with my Rode mic with no issues. Hope that helps!

Can confirm - 12.3 fixed the issue for me as well

I have a ticket with Shure about the issue. They suggested a bunch of useless "solutions" like "set it as a default and use system settings in FaceTime". The latest suggestion they wanted me to try is this:

Please try the following:

1. Select input and output devices other than the MV7 in the System Preferences > Sound settings
2. Launch Facetime and see if the MV7 is now selectable
3. If not, close Facetime and then reselect the MV7 as input/out in the System Preferences > Sound settings
4. Relaunch Facetime and attempt to use it with "Use System Setting" selected

I don't think it is doing anything, but who knows, give it a try?

Same issue here. I have multiple USB microphone inputs that are usable at the MacOS level and application level on all apps except Facetime. I actually work for the manufacturer (Biamp) of these mics and input devices. They act like any other USB input device and we have not recently updated the firmware on these. It seems that Facetime as a whole is broken when using any external devices for audio and video in 12.1. Everything is sluggish and passing audio is a crapshoot. Please fix, Apple!

The last stable release where the external USB mics worked was 12.0.1. May want to install that if you can find it. Also, not sure if anyone has tried the new Monterey 12.3b2 to see if has resolved anything. Would need to sign up for a developer account to get it.

I’m having this issue as well after updating from Mojave to Monterey. FaceTime no longer recognizes my Shure MV7 as a microphone. It also won’t recognize virtual source anymore like Blackhole. Strangely, I can select the MV7 as an output source in FaceTime. It also doesn’t work in Safari for things like google meet.

It works normally with Zoom, GarageBand, Chrome and displays as it should in Audio MIDI Setup. Previously, I didn’t have this issue when running Mojave.

I’ve had to stop using FaceTime and switch to using Chrome for google meet.