How to calibrate soundcard of Macbook Pro Retina 13 with combined line input/line output jack?

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Level 1

4 points

How to calibrate soundcard of Macbook Pro Retina 13 with combined line input/line output jack?

Hi!

I'd like to use my MBPro 13"/Retina from late 2013 for sound measurement (especially with software REW - Room EQ Wizzard). To get reliable results the internal soundcard has to be calibrated: loopback cable between Line Output and Line Input.

Problem: the MBPro 13"/Retina from late 2013 has a combined line input/line output jack. So I have either line output or line input but not both.

Any recommendation besides buying an external USB soundcard?

I already own a USB microphone I would like to continue to use.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions!

Kindest

Stefan

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.7

Posted on Jan 9, 2025 8:08 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

D.I. Johnson

Level 8

35,477 points

Jan 10, 2025 5:31 PM in response to S017

You're welcome.

Also, you posted that you "already have a USB mic I would like to continue to use".

You may not need to pursue this calibration route any further.

This Help Guidance found at the REW websites states the following:

❝The initial steps required to make room measurements are:

Choose the audio input and output
Calibrate the interface (not applicable when using a USB microphone)❞

and this:

❝Calibrating the Interface

This step is not applicable when using a USB microphone as the input, skip directly to Check levels❞

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Answer 2

leroydouglas

Level 10

200,334 points

Jan 10, 2025 4:59 AM in response to S017

S017 wrote:

Hi!

I'd like to use my MBPro 13"/Retina from late 2013 for sound measurement (especially with software REW - Room EQ Wizzard). To get reliable results the internal soundcard has to be calibrated: loopback cable between Line Output and Line Input.

Problem: the MBPro 13"/Retina from late 2013 has a combined line input/line output jack. So I have either line output or line input but not both.

Any recommendation besides buying an external USB soundcard?

I already own a USB microphone I would like to continue to use.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions!

Kindest

Stefan

see if there is anything here(?)

/Applications/Utilities/Audio MidiSetup.app

ref Set up MIDI devices using Audio MIDI Setup on Mac

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Answer 3

Jan 10, 2025 8:20 AM in response to S017

I did a little poking around on the webz, starting at REW's site, and discovered this little gem that appears relevant to your situation: REW for macOS - How to Setup your Mac for REW | AVS Forum - avsforum.com

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Answer 4

S017 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 10, 2025 7:57 AM in response to leroydouglas

Hi Leroy,

thanks a lot for your quick reply and suggestion!

The problem is not MIDI/software related but rather physical: the MBPro 11,1 (Retina, Late 2013) does only offer 1 physical audio output plug (3,5mm headphone or line out analogue & toslink) but no analog audio input plug.

So the loopback cable has to go from headphone jack (audio output) to where? USB?

I bought a USB 2.0 to Serial TTL 3,5 mm headphone jack converter (Delock 83114) but only the headphone jack is seen as audio output, but USB not as audio input:

https://www.delock.com/produkt/83114/merkmale.html?setLanguage=de

Any idea is appreciated!

Kindest

Stefan

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Answer 5

S017 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 10, 2025 3:51 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

Hello D.I.,

thank you very much for pointing to the comprehensive article in the AVS Forum! It is definitely a great help for all who want to use REW on a Mac.

Unfortunately the article does not explain how to calibrate the soundcard of the Mac that was used.

In REW it is recommended to calibrate the soundcard. There is a distinctive measurement box in the preferences menu.

If the article in the AVS Forum does not take this calibration into consideration it might not make too much of a difference anyway?

BTW my AV Receiver does not offer HDMI input so I have to use the MBPro‘s analog line out or the toslink line out (integrated in the analog line out).

Kindest

Stefan

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How to calibrate soundcard of Macbook Pro Retina 13 with combined line input/line output jack?

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