Trying to use multiple Blue Snowball Microphones, but Mac only recognizes one!

Sounds like you need a mixing console, to allow more than 1 input connected to the MAC at the same time. You would need the correct adapters to convert from the mixer output to the 3.5mm input on the computer. As well as setting the input to line level.

You can buy small format analog mixers (4-6 channel in) for cheap these days.

There are also small digital mixers avaialble as well, you should go to a good music store and have them walk you thru your options.

You can not combine multiple mics without some kind of isolation from each other, this will also give you idividual level, EQ, and other discreet functions.

This is about USB mics, so a mixing console won't help.

stooooooober wrote:

Only one shows up in system preferences

one thought somes to mind: do you have both mics plugged into USB ports ON the Mac? Possibly a laptop too?

I think I've seen issues where both USB ports don't provide the same amount of power, is there any chance of trying a _powered_ USB hub?

Typically, over USB I can only get my computers (mac and PC) to recognize 2 channels at a time over one source. If your computer is recognizing one and not both or the other when both are plugged in, I think one is all you're going to be able to use. Also, in the system preferences under Sound, if you are able to only select one or the other, I believe all you can do is select which one you want to use.

Those micrphones work well and one should do a good job. Don't forget about Micrphone Phase Cancellation.

"Two microphones, intended to pick up two sound sources must be placed apart at least three times the distance that either microphone is from it’s intended sound source." http://www.recordingeq.com/articles/321eq.html

stooooooober wrote:

the way they program their devices, the computer is only able to recognize one at a time. You can send it in and have them reprogram it so your computer can differentiate them.

huh, i never would have guessed that.

thanks for posting back, it may very well help someone else in the future ... good luck

What a surprising solution! 😁

How is this a valid solution? I am having the same problem. I'm trying to use two USB mics...different brand. Only one will show up at a time. If I plug them both in to my WIndows machine Windows is smart enough to assign a different Moniker to the second one. Why can Mac OS not do this?

Lorek, Open Audio Midi setup utility. With both mics plugged in click the + and select Create Aggregated Device and pick the two mics. They will now show up in Garageband as two inputs when you select the aggregated device as input.

Only one of the USB mics shows up to be added to the Aggregated Device. If they were both showing up then I wouldn't say that only one shows up at a time. Sorry if that sounds jerky.

Can you create a aggregate device with one of the usb mics and the built in mic?

Yes. That works all day long.