headphone jack on 13" Apple Mac book pro there is no "Use audio for:" menu selection to allow changing the port from output to input. Does anyone know how to find that menu?

Question

headphone jack on 13" Apple Mac book pro there is no "Use audio for:" menu selection to allow changing the port from output to input. Does anyone know how to find that menu?

In setting up the headphone jack on my 13" Mac Book Pro when I go to audio input in the system preferences there is no "use audio for" menu contrary to the Apple support document which says:

Plug the input audio device into the combination audio port using the proper adapter cable.
From the Apple () menu, choose System Preferences.
Choose Sound from the View menu.
Click the Input tab.
Change the "Use audio for:" menu selection from Sound Output to the Sound Input.
The device type should change from "Internal Microphone/Built-in Input" to "Line In/Built-in Input."

Does anybody know any other way to get the headphone jack - which is supposed to be reconfigureable - to be an input instead of an output?

Posted on Sep 18, 2013 2:53 PM

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Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Sep 18, 2013 3:36 PM in response to Douglas J Mitchell

If your MBP is a 13" 2012 model, that feature is not available. You will have to connect an audio input device via USB.

Ciao.

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Answer 2

Sep 19, 2013 7:46 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Thank you for your response. I thought of this and bought an RCA to USB cable but that does not work either. Is there something else I need to do to get the audio through the USB? Thanks again for your help.

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Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Sep 19, 2013 10:22 AM in response to Douglas J Mitchell

Now this is an area that I am not familiar with. I do not know what your audio source is (microphone, DVD player?) and exactly what you are trying to achieve. You may have to use the Audio MIDI application so look at that to see what it entails.

I suggest that you start a new discussion listing your specific objectives. There are fellow users well versed in this area, I am not. 🙂

Ciao.

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Answer 4

Sep 19, 2013 2:13 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Thank you for your help - if I get this resolved I'll post the solution here. Thanks again

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Answer 5

Sep 20, 2013 8:30 PM in response to Douglas J Mitchell

Would this addaptor work?

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Answer 6

Sep 20, 2013 8:38 PM in response to Michael O'Keeffe

No, that looks like a simple a USB extender. It extends the USB signals out onto that round connector without changing anything either way. Probably good for a Ti scientific calculator that uses fake USB input on a round connector.

You need a USB Digitizer, that digitizes and packetizes the audio into a standard USB format.

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Answer 7

Sep 20, 2013 8:43 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for the reply.

So am I better in investing in a USB Microphone or getting a USB Digitizer?

I can't seem to find a USB DIgitizer on ebay? Would this simply convert a uni directional mic (with a 3.5mm plug) so I can use it in Garage Band?

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Answer 8

Sep 20, 2013 9:02 PM in response to Michael O'Keeffe

Griffin iMic, about US$40

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