Audio input not playing through speakers

G'day,

Devices plugged into the Sound In port do not automatically play through the computer's speakers. The Mac OS itself does not perform this function - it's performed by the specific program you are running.

What exactly are you trying to do? Capture sound into the computer, or just 'pass' it through from a hifi or something?

cheers

cosmic

Have you checked the "output" slider in >System Preferences > Sound > Output. Occasionally an application will shut off the sound and leave it there. An old version of Audacity used to do that for me.

OK, Garage band mutes the record enabled track by default to avoid feedback problems. On the track, click the mute button. That MAY get you some sound, but playing a recorded channel through the system speakers is not the way to do it. Use headphones to monitor your keyboard. The Mac sound system has a delay that will throw you off badly.

http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/GBFAQ.html is a site dedicated to Garage band use.

There's actually another reason not to play instruments directly through the eMac sound system. All instruments, but basses and keyboards in particular, produce transients that can damage the speakers, or fry the sound circuits. Use a compressor/limiter between the instrument and the computer, and you'll be fine.

If you get the usual startup chime and other system sounds, look at your Garage Band settings.