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How to stop headphones from becoming 'Input' for sound

Hi,

I hope somebody here can help me with this problem.

When I connect my headphones to my Macbook Pro via the jack, the Sound Settings automatically change so that the headphones are not only the Output but the Input too - so if I record something whilst the headphones are connected, rather than the Internal Microphone being the default recording device, the headphones record instead!

The problem is that I'd much rather use the Internal Microphone as the Input when the headphones are connected as the Output. But for some reason there's no option in System Preferences to stop the headphones automatically becoming the Input and to use the Internal Mic for this instead. This seems bizarre to me, as my previous headphones were purely Output by default.

Is there any way I can change this? Set the headphones as Output only, whilst using the Internal Microphone as Input?

There must be some kind of Advanced Settings somewhere!

I'd be very grateful for any suggestions!

Cheers,

Jay

p.s. Below is a screenshot of my System Settings > Sound after I've plugged the headphones in. As you can see, Input has changed to 'headphones with in-built external mic" and there appears to be no way to change it!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jul 27, 2014 9:28 PM

31 replies

AdamsTownJay Author

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Jul 28, 2014 8:33 AM in response to Csound1

I thought there was probably a reason they chose that design, rather than the 4-pole jack being a mistake / compromise 😁

So you don't think there'd be a solution to change the settings on the Macbook? You think the only solution is a hardware one?

AdamsTownJay Author

Level 1

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Jul 28, 2014 8:44 AM in response to Csound1

Oh I understand now that the way it's behaving isn't abnormal, but I thought there might be a way to play with the system settings so the Inbuilt Mic can be used for Input whilst the headphones are used for Output.

Macbook Pro 13"

Intel Core 2 Duo

Mid 2009

Mac OSX 10.6.8

Jul 28, 2014 8:48 AM in response to AdamsTownJay

You won't find an exact adaptor - all Amazon have are 4 pole plug to 3 pole socket. If you get a headphone extension lead - 3 pole plug to 3 pole socket - or a right-angle adaptor doing the same thing then that will short the microphone output to earth: on 3 pole plugs the back section is the earth ring and is the length of the earth and mic rings on a 4-pole.

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Jul 28, 2014 8:50 AM in response to AdamsTownJay

AdamsTownJay wrote:

Oh I understand now that the way it's behaving isn't abnormal, but I thought there might be a way to play with the system settings so the Inbuilt Mic can be used for Input whilst the headphones are used for Output.

Macbook Pro 13"

Intel Core 2 Duo

Mid 2009

Mac OSX 10.6.8

You started by telling me that there was no microphone, and there is. That is why there is a 4 pole plug.

And you still have not answered my question regarding which Mac you have.

Over to you.

AdamsTownJay Author

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Jul 28, 2014 9:10 AM in response to Csound1

You started by telling me that there was no microphone, and there is

Nope, I started by saying they were headphones to be used as headphones - I didn't know whether they had a microphone or not (I never said they didn't). Having learnt that, I am now saying:

I understand now that the way it's behaving isn't abnormal

As in, after this discussion, thanks to your help, I now understand the way it's behaving isn't strange.

See, people can learn things during a discussion which subsequently alters their understanding of the situation. Shock horror... There's no need for you to nitpick is there?

I'm still holding out hope for a software-based solution rather than a hardware-based solution.

And I thought the previous information I provided was what you asked for:

Macbook Pro 13"

Intel Core 2 Duo

Mid 2009

Mac OSX 10.6.8

What information do you need that isn't there about the Mac I'm using?

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Jul 28, 2014 9:18 AM in response to AdamsTownJay

I asked specifically if the headphones had a mic, you answered "They're not in the form of a headset - they're standard inner-ear headphones called Fidelio S1 as pictured here"

Which looks like no to me.

Your Mac does not have an external Microphone input (or line in) that is separated from the headset input. You can plug a mic in and it will work, you can plug headphones in and they will work. If you plug both a mic and a headphone in (as you are) the mic will connect to the mic input and the headphones will connect to the headphone out.

If you want headphones only you will need something other then the Fidelio.

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Jul 28, 2014 10:14 AM in response to AdamsTownJay

A USB interface of any kind is an additional D/A converter, it is not just another mic that will use the existing circuits. Your Mac has an input for a headset, headphones, a mic or a line level signal and will connect appropriately for any of them. But you want to use one in a manner it was not designed for. That combination is not supported.

Use a proper mic interface if you care about quality at all.

AdamsTownJay Author

Level 1

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Jul 28, 2014 5:05 AM in response to Csound1

Hi Csound1. The headphones aren't intended to be used as a microphone. They're not in the form of a headset - they're standard inner-ear headphones called Fidelio S1 as pictured here:

AdamsTownJay Author

Level 1

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Jul 28, 2014 7:25 AM in response to Csound1

Default Output (without anything connected to the headphones port):

With Fidelio S1 Headphones connected:

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Jul 28, 2014 2:33 AM in response to AdamsTownJay

Do your headphones actually incorporate a mic (i.e.: is this a headset rather than just headphones)

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Jul 28, 2014 7:19 AM in response to AdamsTownJay

You keep showing me the Input tab, how about the Output tab?

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Jul 28, 2014 8:22 AM in response to AdamsTownJay

The last test should be the Fidelio's in another Mac, if the result is the same then you need an adaptor or another headphone.

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Jul 28, 2014 8:35 AM in response to AdamsTownJay

It's all working normally, you have purchased a headset with a builtin mic. It takes over input and output once it is plugged in.

Which Mac do you have, model and age please.

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Jul 28, 2014 8:50 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Wash and brushup Roger 🙂 ?

AdamsTownJay Author

Level 1

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Jul 28, 2014 9:17 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Thanks Roger. Sounds like the adaptor route might be a challenge too, then 😟

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How to stop headphones from becoming 'Input' for sound