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Scotch_Brawth Author

Level 3

827 points

Force output through Internal Speaker when headset is plugged in

I've recently been making a lot of calls through Skype using my Apple Headset (the one that comes free with the iPhones), and end up on hold much of the time. During those periods, I'd like to force Skype to send all audio through the Internal Speaker so that I'm not tied to my desk. This would allow me to keep the microphone plugged in so that I can respond quickly when someone finally responds.

Anyone know of a way of doing this? Just to clarify: I don't want to buy additional hardware; I don't want to unplug the headset.

Thanks.

Mac mini (Mid 2011), OS X Mountain Lion, 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD

Posted on Sep 21, 2012 4:00 PM

13 replies

Nov 16, 2012 5:23 AM in response to Scotch_Brawth

Hi all,

I am suffering the same problem...

In our app we would like to select the source of audio from where to record (audio jack or built-in mic)... We need both because we are gathering data from some circuitry in the audio jack and also doing some VoIP through the built in mic...

We have seen that in ios6 they introduce the multiroute feature to select the audio source... Did you try that?

Is it possible to do this with ios6?

By the way, I am trying to read which are the input data sources availables (through inputDataSources) but i get just null... 😐

den.thed

Level 10

83,218 points

Sep 21, 2012 4:45 PM in response to Scotch_Brawth

No, because there is a micro switch inside the Audio Output (headphone) jack that only allows the audio to be sent out to that port.

Although some say, that if you use a USB headset or other USB solution to connect your headset to, then the audio becomes selectable between that and the internal speakers.

Scotch_Brawth Author

Level 3

827 points

Sep 22, 2012 11:52 AM in response to den.thed

Hi,

Thanks for responding. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just asking: are you entirely sure that it's not possible?

My experience is that it's not a hardware switch that determines audio output, but a software one. I've made this determination simply because there's frequently, if not always, a noticeable delay between the sound switching between the internal speaker and the headset after plugging-in or unplugging. This suggests to me that it's the OS itself deciding to send the audio to the headset, and not simply a hardware re-routing of the output signal. I agree that there must be a micro-switch of some kind that declares the presence or otherwise of an object in headphone socket; but I'm of the belief that the OS, and therefore the software, is in charge of where the audio ultimately goes.

Of course, I could be wrong; but I'd like to pursue this a little further, just to make sure.

🙂

PS: it's been put to me that power management is done in software, not hardware, on Apple's computers, which I'm led to believe is somewhat unusual in the computer industry. As a result, I don't think it's too much of a leap to imagine that audio routing may also be done in software too, and thereby make the switching I'm looking for possible.

den.thed

Level 10

83,218 points

Sep 22, 2012 2:10 PM in response to Scotch_Brawth

Your 100% correct and well put, however in all my years here I've never seen a work around. Problem is that neither the Audio preference or Audio MIDI setup allows one to over ride the fact that OS X knows that there is something plugged into the Audio Output jack. Likewise I think that both the Hardware and Software engineers worked really hard to prevent overloading either the Audio Chip and/or there discission to limit access that way.

Scotch_Brawth Author

Level 3

827 points

Sep 22, 2012 4:12 PM in response to den.thed

I think I'll submit some Feedback, and see what happens.

OOC: other than for simplicity's sake (which goodness knows is starting to become a bane of Apple's OSes, and not a boon), why would Apple prevent users forcing output through the internal speakers? You mention "overloading […] the Audio Chip" - how could this be caused by this procedure?

BDAqua

Level 10

245,579 points

Sep 22, 2012 8:30 PM in response to Scotch_Brawth

(which goodness knows is starting to become a bane of Apple's OSes, and not a boon),

Ever notice that when MacOS was simple, they couldn't get Windows® users to switch?

Only once it became more cantankerous did PC users start to see the possibilities! 😉

den.thed

Level 10

83,218 points

Sep 22, 2012 8:51 PM in response to Scotch_Brawth

You mention "overloading […] the Audio Chip" - how could this be caused by this procedure?

I can only suspect that it is geared more around protecting the hardware (the audio chip) from those countless number of folks that would hack into the software and ask for output from both internal and external at the same time.

BDAqua

Level 10

245,579 points

Sep 22, 2012 10:33 PM in response to Scotch_Brawth

I think we're talking about a mechanical switch here that disconnects the Internal speakers when anything is plugged in, I think you might want to consider a USB Audio device. 🙂

Scotch_Brawth Author

Level 3

827 points

Sep 23, 2012 10:56 AM in response to BDAqua

@BDAqua:

Only once it became more cantankerous did PC users start to see the possibilities!

I'm more and more appreciative of the level of control the Windows OS offers its users. More than once recently I've found myself wishing for something along the lines of Group Policy Editor, for OS X. At the moment, Apple can't even seem to get Parental Controls working correctly… I can't see myself ever adopting Windows full-time, not after past experience. Still…

But we digress.

those […] that would hack into the software and ask for output from both internal and external at the same time.

Yes, I suppose that is a conceivable reason.

Well, I guess I'm going to have to consider a second USB audio device. Can anyone recommend one that's directly compatible with the Apple Headset (ie. uses 4 conductors for input and output over a single 3.5mm jack rather than two separate jacks) and costs no more than US$15-20?

Király

Level 6

10,017 points

Oct 26, 2012 3:49 PM in response to BDAqua

There is a mechanical switch, but that switch tells the software to shut off the internal speakers when anything is plugged in. This can be confirmed by booting up while something is plugged into the jack - the startup bong still plays through the internal speakers. And, although I have not tried myself, I hear that Windows running in Boot Camp can be configured to use both the internal speakers and line out at the same time. So it's definitely an OS X software issue.

I have sent several feature requests into Apple over the years about this. One time Apple engineering even responded to me and we had a dialogue over email about it, them wanting to know of what use it would be. I tried to convince them, but obviously wasn't successful.

All I can suggest is to send Apple more feedback about this issue. Maybe one day the number of people who request this will reach critical mass and Apple will add a software preference to allow it.

Scotch_Brawth Author

Level 3

827 points

Oct 26, 2012 4:41 PM in response to Király

Király wrote:

them wanting to know of what use it would be.

I think that's the most revealing insight I've heard so far into the way Apple engineers its products.

When I posted my feedback, I linked them this thread so they'd have reference to one reason why it might be a positive change to make. Now all we can do is wait.

Scotch_Brawth Author

Level 3

827 points

Nov 16, 2012 2:05 PM in response to rep_audiom

@rep_audiom: If you haven't already realised, you've posted in the wrong place. This is a user-level thread regarding Mac minis running Mountain Lion, not a dev-level thread about iPhones running iOS.

If you're not finding any suitable help in the iPhone forums, try the Apple Mailing Lists.

Nov 19, 2012 4:05 AM in response to Scotch_Brawth

Sorry, i thought it was the right place. I didn't see where i was posting...

I will check in the iPhone forum,

Regards!

Force output through Internal Speaker when headset is plugged in