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Level 1

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My MacBook's internal microphone input level is too low since update

Hi there!

Since I update my system to 10.4.7 or 10.4.8, the input level of my MacBook's internal microphone is way too low. I have to set the input volume to at least 50 % to see any slight input level. And if I max the input volume, the volume level goes up to 25 % with normal speaking. If I speak very loud, the volume level will sometimes go up to 50 %.

Altogether it's very annoying. iChat, which I use nearly every day, is now actually unusable. I can't scream into the micro at work after all. I recorded my voice with GarageBand as a second test, and the result was just a faint whisper, too.

Exactly the same is also true for my girlfriend's MacBook: Never any problems with the microphone, and now the input level has dropped down. My brother's MacBook in contrast has no microphone problems at all.

I would appreciate any help or tips... Thanks in advance.
Henry

MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Oct 15, 2006 7:22 AM

69 replies

henmue Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 16, 2006 11:40 AM in response to Holger Leerhoff

Hi there,

I just want to share my findings wih you: I was
really fed up with the situation yesterday and
re-installed 10.4.6 from the MacBook install DVD.
Tried the microphone -- worked like a charm. This
time I took the Combo-update to 10.4.8. Well -- same
problem as before. So the problem is definitively
related to the system update. I wish it could be
sorted out by just exchanging one file or something
like that...

Holger.

MB 2GHz, 2 GB
Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Ah, that is interesting! That is the proof of a direct connection between the microphone failure and system update 10.4.8.

So, what is to do. As we can't install the latest update, the problem is a case for Apple support. There is a possibility of a new update with a fix. But as we seem to be few, I don't believe in a fix.

MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8) 1,83 GHz, 2 GB Ram

chariotx3

Level 1

120 points

Nov 16, 2006 4:20 PM in response to henmue

I dont know if this will work, but i suggest you do the following:
1. go to spotlight
2. type in audio
3. clikc on audio MIDI setup
4. change the "default imput" and the "properties for" to Buit In-Imput.
5. A slider will appear. slide both all the way to the right

Hope it helps!

henmue Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 17, 2006 1:33 AM in response to chariotx3

Hi chariotx3!

Thanks for your suggestion, which is the normal procedure in this case. But the "real" input level is low, although the slider goes to the maximum in the settings you mentioned.

Best regards,
Henry

MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8) 1,83 GHz, 2 GB Ram

Nov 19, 2006 7:47 AM in response to henmue

I've just did a complete erase and install (about a 2 1/2 hour job) on my MacBook and am now running 10.4.6 again and just want to report that the microphone level is almost twice the volume of that in 10.4.8.
I tested this by recording my normal speaking voice in iMovie using the isight camera before and after the update with the mic input level slider set to near maximum in both cases.
Only problem now is that since I dont have 10.4.8 I cant run the recent firmware update so run the risk of RSS!.
I hope to God Apple does something about this microphone issue as I'm probably gonna have to update to 10.4.8 pretty soon.
I'll try and see is there any OS X feedback form and post this message to it if I can.

SBreezy

Level 1

75 points

Nov 19, 2006 11:46 AM in response to Ronan Donohoe

Hi, I'm having the same problem with the output level of the internal mic on my Macbook since the Firmware update. As a result, I've had to start using a bluetooth headset for iChat due to the frequent drops in Audio. Here's a link to a feature called "ambient noise reduction" in the sound preferences pane. http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20061113163546355
I wonder if checking or unchecking this would make a difference? SB

2GHz Macbook, 1.25 GHz, 20" in.. iMac G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8) iSight

Nov 19, 2006 12:01 PM in response to SBreezy

Here's a link to a feature
called "ambient noise reduction" in the sound
preferences pane.
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=200611131
63546355
I wonder if checking or unchecking this would make a
difference?

I've tried this and clicking the "ambient noise reduction" option makes the sound even fainter. 😟

SBreezy

Level 1

75 points

Nov 19, 2006 12:09 PM in response to Ronan Donohoe

Hi Ronan, Thanks for the post. I guess that ambient noise box doesn't affect the internal mic output. I'll have to continue using an external mic or My bluetooth headset for iChat until Apple fixes this.

henmue Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 20, 2006 8:35 AM in response to Ronan Donohoe

Hello everybody!
Dis somebody find the time to contact apple support for our problem? I'm just in brazil and have other things to do... finding food for example. 😉

Nov 20, 2006 1:30 PM in response to henmue

Hello everybody!
Did somebody find the time to contact apple support
for our problem? I'm just in brazil and have other
things to do... finding food for example. 😉

I sent them a description of the problem in the Mac OS X feedback page under "bugs" but sure I doubt that'll be read. What we need to do is raise awareness to as many MacBook users as possible so they can test it and so more people will take notice (similar to the whole RSD problem).
I also posted to two Mac related websites.
I will ask the geniuses next time I'm in an AppleStore also.
R

Nov 24, 2006 2:57 AM in response to Ronan Donohoe

Here's another MacBook with the same problem.

I was showing a friend what a MacBook could do, because I could see that it could be useful for the language course she is teaching. But I was really embarrassed when we could hardly hear the sound we were recording.

Hope they're not put off buying a Mac because of this.

Software right up to date so could be a 10.4.8 issue.

Nov 24, 2006 10:01 AM in response to Hugh Todd

Software right up to date so could be a 10.4.8 issue.

Its definitely a 10.4.8 problem! I proved it twice above. Heres a summery:
10.4.6 - Normal
10.4.8 - Deaf
Erase & install
10.4.6 - Normal
Update
10.4.8 - Deaf.

This is a very serious issue as how are Voice Commands meant to work if the internal microphone is not working properly?

I advise everyone reading this to post their experience to Apple feedback at:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/feedback/

or better still contact AppleCare. I dont think anyone has tried that yet. Still havent had time to visit my local store.

henmue Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 24, 2006 4:15 PM in response to Ronan Donohoe

I just gave them my feedback. I hope it will be recognized...

Best regards

Nov 24, 2006 4:22 PM in response to henmue

I'll add my name to the list of experience with problems relating to audio in general after the latest update.

now my FCE and soundtrack don't even work, and garageband has stopped working.

I would love to know if their is a fix available as I HATE HATE HATE reinstalling my system.... someone here said it took them two and a half hours.... it will take me two to three days... at least

Nov 24, 2006 4:29 PM in response to Ronan Donohoe

This is a very serious issue as how are Voice
Commands meant to work if the internal microphone is
not working properly?

I wish there were a way to nail down why some folks have issues, and others do not. Typically, I have never had any issues with the staining, over-heating, mooing, shut-downs, upgrade cratering, and now this.

I use SKYPE daily, while video conferencing and am able to use the internal microphone with no problem, along with iSight. Indeed, folks on the other end are more than able to ambient sound in the room.

There's surely a common denominator on why some have the issues, and others do not.

Nov 27, 2006 2:42 PM in response to Larry_Rymal

Went and upgraded to 10.4.8 again and re-deafened my MacBook. Just so people know. If you install the latest Firmware update it is ok to do an erase and install and run an earlier version of OSX (hopefully) without risking the RSD problem. (i.e. you cant erase a firmware update)
That was the only reason I thought I had to upgrade to 10.4.8 again but now I know I should've stayed with 10.4.6.
Just been iChating with my brother who had to turn up his volume to the 2nd highest click on his iMac as he could barely hear me.
Very annoying!

😟

My MacBook's internal microphone input level is too low since update