13" MacBook Pro audio line in problem

Here is the link

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5247874

Hello all,

Would this work? Plugging in your 3.5mm Microphone into this and going through USB?

13" MacBook Pro audio line in problem

According to the Apple specs, the audio plug on the new 13" MacBook Pro has "support for Apple iPhone headset with microphone." Using this requires both a special plug and a bit of hardware to turn on that mike input. I have posted a circuit that works with iPads and a variety of smartphones at <http://www.instructables.com/id/A-Preamplifier-for-Smartphone-Oscilloscopes/> . However, it's not the line-level audio that's still on the 15" MacBook Pro, so audio quality will probably not be as good--especially in the low bass. A USB converter such is the Griffin iMic or the Behringer U-control would likely be better.

My MBP (non-retina) only has the one jack, but it is indeed switchable between use for input or output (see image below, where I have switched Use Audio Port to Sound Input. Are you sure you're not misunderstanding the suggestion?

It seems clear from Apple's own support page about how to do it.

It seems clear from Apple's own support page about how to do it.

Except it doesn't actually work that way.

I have the combination audio jack on my MacBook Pro.

Here's how it looks. So many choices. This one or, um, this one.

I plug in set of headphones and I get one choice. It's what I want so that's fine.

But if i plug in an audio device that isn't an iphone-compatible headphone/mic set, I get the first option. The built-in mic.

I plugged in a 4 conductor cable, like the iPhone headset or an audio device uses, and checked the voltages on my iPad and MacBook Pro. The iPad evidently sees the device and I get good voltage readings. On the MacBook Pro, not voltage at all. Something in how the headphones are wired is telling it to switch. But I don't know what.

Odd, not sure what to tell you, except to double check that the male plug your using is always the 4 ring type. Here's a photo of what I use for recording phone interviews as part of my work routine...on the right is the SysPref setup, on the left is an Olympus TP-8 in-ear microphone with a 3-ring plug. The mic goes in my ear next to my phone, and the cord gets plugged into the 4-ring adapter (in the red side) and the adapter then gets plugged into my MBP's single audio port. From there I record directly to QuickTime. Always works great--but only with the adapter; otherwise the MBP doesn't read it as a mic.

Maybe the fact that I'm using a splitter instead of a combined mic/headphone has something to do with it. If you're curious, the one I use was 5 or 6 dollars at Radio Shack, where I found it in the phone section. Sorry you're still having troubles, but rest assured, it can work! Good luck!