Macbook Air Microphone Volume Very Low

I've got the same problem on my new 2011 13" MBA. FaceTime and iChat both show the problem. Not had a chance to test Skype yet but my guess is that it will demonstrate the same problem. I've resorted to using a earphones with a built in mic, but this is not satisfactory by any stretch of the imagination. I'm trying to get the MBA as wireless as possible.

Ally

Same issue (very low microphone volume) with my new 2011 Macbook Air 13". I bought it the first day they were available from Apple Store, but just tried FaceTime today. Volume not acceptable.

Looked at system preferences and slid slider all way to max... still not enough volume. I had to put my head to the side within a few inches of microphone before the sound sort of was loud enough. Tried ambient off/on and worse when had it off.

Just tested the sound with my niece's boyfriend new 11" model (he got about 1 week ago). Input volume on his unit is ideal. Sounds great. So not likely an Lion issue... likely something with my unit (and others based on this post and others).

I have yet to find any solution on the forum or support area, so will call Apple tomorrow or visit store to see if they can resolve the problem.

Gavin: Just talked to Apple support on the phone. No obvious answer from them. Heading to local Apple store tonight. Will update post later once (hopefully) the issue is determined and corrected. Cheers, Grant

Tech at Genius Bar determined it was likely a bad mic part that needs to be replaced. None in stock at store, so he had to order in the part. Likely next week before it arrives. I will update post after "surgery" has been completed...

Issue has been resolved... "Surgery was successful" Apple store replaced the left mic/speaker component and all working perfectly now. Mic volume using FaceTime is working as expected.

By the way, there was no charge for replacing part since under warrantee.

Just to add one more; same issue with a 2011 13" MBA (Bought Sept 10th). Facetime mic audio from the MBA is very poor, low mic volume, mic cuts out. I guess off to the Apple store to have it repaired under warranty.

Thanks for the solution,

lepappl

I just received a new MacBook Air 13" five days ago, and same thing - people I speak to on FaceTime complain the volume is too low, despite the fact that it is on the highest setting. I had the the 11" Air and it did not have this issue at all.

I just bought my 13" MBA and was very disappointed when i realized I was experiencing this issue. I read in a different forum to try flicking the area of the microphone a few times. I tried it and cannot believe that it actually worked! Unbelievable. Now, I'm not sure how I feel about the quality of the microphone if it can be made to work by flicking it. I assume a similar jossle could make it not work.

Same issue with my recently purchased 13" MBA. Interestingly enough the problem only seems to be with FaceTime. When using iChat no one comlains about not hearing me. I was worried it was just due ot the placement of the mic. Glad to hear it is not, but I still can not understand why Apple put the mic on the side. If the screen is just too thin for the mic to fit, it seems they would at leat put it on the top surface near the top of the keyboard. This has been my only dissapointment with my MBA. Other than this, I love this computer.

Someone say flip on the mic might help... Any idea where is the mic of new MacBook Air? I couldn't find it... Is it beside the camera or somewhere else? Please tell me if you know, Cos I couldn't find on Apple's web page... Many thanks

Add me and my sister as two more with this same problem. We both have 2011 13" MBAs, and both of us have the mic issue when calling with facetime. Mic seems to work fine in ichat and in skype though. I've noticed that the microphone input volume in preferences drops really low whenever a facetime call is initiated, but then normalizes after the call is ended.

If I knew that bringing the computer in to the apple store for repairs would work, then I'd do it. Something tells me that this is a software issue though and replacing the mic won't do anything to fix it.

I have a 15" macbook pro from 2010. Until about ten weeks ago the builtin mic worked great for skype and other applications. Then people started telling me that my voice was very faint. Today I looked into it and used audacity to record my voice under various situations. I started by rebooting my machine. I am running 10.7.3. The input is very faint for the builtin mic. I get no input using an external USB mic. I get a good signal if I use my phone headphones with its mic. I tried adjusting the input level via the sound input widget from the system preferences app, the midi setup app and the controls in audacity and these did not change the situation -- i can only get useful sound input using my phone earphones via the headphone jack.

im having the same problem. i have a macbook pro and my fiance has an air. on facetime, i can barely hear her but she can hear me perfectly. all of our mic inputs are up to the max. we tried it on skype and voila! the mic works! what's up with facetime?

I have a 2006 MacBook Pro (I know, vintage right?) and I'm having the exact same problem... Everytime I'm on facetime I can hear the other person loud and clear, but the other person can't hear me loud enough... I have to speak really close to the keyboard to make myself understandable, but even so, they don't hear me loud enough to have a normal conversation.

I doubt that that is something wrong with the mic because I also use skype and it works just fine. I've increased the internal mic volume up to the max, but still no change... I'm troubled...

Any recent news?

Thanks

I'm having the exact same problem.

I need to speak loudly for the other person to hear me. (skype or facetime) But when I type something on the keyboard, the other person hears me perfectly.

which can be ??

Do not know if it's the case, but I realized this problem, and after I bought and installed my apple tv. May only be coincidence. Or not ???

Thanks.