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Rosetta Stone/Internal Mic not working

I have recently installed Rosetta Stone Version 3 (language software) on my Macbook Pro. I am having issues using the internal microphone with the software.

When I setup the microphone within the software and then do the test (say 1,2,3,4,5 into the microphone as a test), the program tells me everything is working fine. However, during the lessons, when speech recognition is necessary, the microphone doesn't work.

Firstly, the speaker will say a work, then when it's my turn, it's as if the microphone is not being recognized and is quickly turning on and off as if it's trying to hear something. Secondly, every time the microphone is enabled and disabled, it turns up the microphone input volume (System Preferences > Sound > Input > sliding bar with low to high) one tick until it's at the top of the bar; thus rendering the microphone useless due to an overload of ambient noise.

Any suggestions or tips? I know Mac users must have this working. However, all the info I can find is a bunch of frustrated Mac people and a lot of finger pointing between Apple and Rosetta Stone.

HELP!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Sep 30, 2010 3:46 PM

Best reply

lcmbp

Level 1

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Posted on Oct 12, 2010 3:40 AM

Hello, did you have any luck with a solution? Thanks!

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76 replies

Jan 29, 2011 8:08 AM in response to RocknRolla1950

This was a very frustrating issue for me! But i found a work around that works perfectly. Only disadvantage is you need to run two little apps.

1. Get Soundflower: http://cycling74.com/products/soundflower/ and LineIn: http://www.rogueamoeba.com/freebies/
2. In Soundflower / Audio Setup the "Soundflower (16ch)" should be set to "Input"
"Format" has 44100 Hz and 16ch-32bit
3. In LineIn set "Input form" to "Default System Input" and "Output to" to "Soundflower (16ch)"
4. Click "Pass Thru"
5. Start Rosetta Stone and in "Set Preferences" / "Audio Settings' select "Soundflower (16ch) - Microphone" and "Apply Changes"
6. Enjoy Learning with Speech Recognition

You always have to run the two programs with Rosetta Stone and make sure the pass thru is actvie. I used version 3.4.5.
I hope this saves you some time and anger.

Jan 31, 2011 3:19 PM in response to questionmarq

Everything works perfectly now. Thank you. It's kind of ridiculous that I have to run those two programs though.

its_rich

Level 1

0 points

Feb 26, 2011 3:16 PM in response to RocknRolla1950

The solution that works best (for me) is the iPhone earphones. You simply plug them into the headphone jack, and the software will use that microphone.

I tried the other permutations, but I didn't like the idea of shouting at the computer (otherwise the phrases always seemed to be faint), or inserting a tinny-sounding headset that had a persistent buzzing sound.

cliotech

Level 1

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Mar 7, 2011 9:07 AM in response to mkolegue

I have been frustrated by the same problem. RS worked perfectly on my MBP 2008. When I upgraded in December 2010 the speak recognition stopped working. The sound input was garbled even though the sound input in GarageBand, Audacity, Skype, etc. all worked perfectly. Here is how I fixed the problem. On your Mac in System Preferences > Sound > Input select Line In. In RS > Set Preferences > Audio Settings select Built-in Microphone. Or, do it the other way around and select Internal Mic Microphone on your Mac and Built-in Input in in RS. Either way, it resolves the issue with your Mac competing with RS for use of the mic.

Lorienne

Level 1

0 points

Mar 20, 2011 7:58 AM in response to cliotech

I tried this and it worked for sometime, after which it wouldn't recognize what I was saying either..I tried the iPhone headset and it's also not working..Do I have to use headsets with background noise cancellation..?..I know when I use RS with Windows 7, I don't have a problem even if I have a foreign language movie playing in the background..I think I'll try those two apps next..

Apr 4, 2011 9:08 PM in response to questionmarq

This was the answer for me, thanks so much! I never reply in forums but this Rosetta Stone thing was so frustrating, if other people are experiencing the same problem, they deserve to know a pretty easy fix.

(Problem: Skipping recording, not recognizing answers, frustration.)

Installing Soundflower took a few tries, finally this version (1.5.1) http://soundflower.en.softonic.com/mac worked. Soundflower is an extension NOT an application.

I'm using iphone headphone/mic or MacBook built in speakers--super easy. The included headset is garbage.

Thanks again!

heyisa

Level 1

0 points

Apr 10, 2011 6:17 PM in response to mkolegue

I just want to confirm that setting the mac sound to "Line In" (System Preferences > Sound > Input) and then opening the Rosetta stone program and then setting the Rosetta Mic settings to -Internal Microphone works. I had the stuttering issue until then, but now it seems to be working well.

hailflex

Level 1

0 points

Apr 21, 2011 9:05 AM in response to heyisa

Sadly i tried everything here and my RS wont even show any microphone options, whatever i try...

cliotech

Level 1

0 points

Apr 28, 2011 11:54 AM in response to hailflex

Have you tried uninstalling RS and reinstalling? If RS isn't even recognizing the microphones, that may be your best bet. Just be sure you understand how RS deals with reinstalling and such. Check out http://support.rosettastone.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=14042 . It can be a nightmare if you uninstall and reinstall without first getting a new activation code. I had that problem when I had to restore my system from a Time Machine backup. It took almost 8 weeks to get the problem resolved with RS.

May 2, 2011 8:36 PM in response to RocknRolla1950

Solution: Goto Sound Preferences and uncheck use ambient noise reduction. Worked for me on a Macbook Pro Mid 2009 model.

May 6, 2011 8:24 PM in response to jshrader90

My problem was that both internal and USB microphones were showing up when I went to Rosetta Stone Preferences, but Rosetta could not hear them when I went to Microphone Setup. This was on Rosetta Stone version 4. The cause of this was that RosettaStoneDaemon was running under a wrong user (the same computer is shared between adults in our family who do not use Rosetta Stone, and our daughter who does, but she uses a separate account to hopefully avoid breaking the computer). The fix was to move LaunchAgent for RosettaStoneDaemon to only launch when our daughter logs into her account:

Logged in as her:

$ cp /Library/LaunchAgents/com.rosettastone.rosettastonedaemon.plist ~/Library/LaunchAgents

Logged into an account that has Admin privleges:

$ sudo rm /Library/LaunchAgents/com.rosettastone.rosettastonedaemon.plist

Jun 3, 2011 11:24 PM in response to jshrader90

Solution: Goto Sound Preferences and uncheck use ambient noise reduction. Worked for me on a Macbook Pro Mid 2009 model.

This worked for me, no problems now.

Jul 4, 2011 3:21 PM in response to RocknRolla1950

Thanks for the solution questionmarq, it was very helpful. The soundflower/linein worked like a charm. I found that you still might have to fiddle with the system preferences > sound > input settings as well. Hope everyone enjoys learning a new language! 🙂

Aug 1, 2011 10:24 AM in response to David_Tee

The fix offered by David_Tee worked for me. RS mic was not working at all with my MB Air, so tossed the RS headset, reset everything per David's post and now it works great!

Sep 21, 2011 11:56 PM in response to questionmarq

Dear all friends,

I have trouble on it lastnight on my MBA with Lion , and solve it by following:

(1) upgrate to RS 3.4.5

(2) follow instruction from questionmarq

Here I confirm that RS 3.3.5 is not working with Lion.

Rosetta Stone/Internal Mic not working