How can I connect an external microphone to my late 2013 iMac?

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Level 1

5 points

How can I connect an external microphone to my late 2013 iMac?

I bought an external microphone but when I connect it over the 3.5 mm headphone jack provided, it does not work and also doesn't appear in system preferences under input. So it is not recognized. Do I need an adapter or something? And can I get it from Apple officially. I mean there must be a solution for connecting something simple like a microphone to an iMac.

Thanks for your help in advance!

Sincerely,

iMac (27-inch, Late 2013), OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Aug 3, 2016 12:16 PM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,448 points

Aug 3, 2016 12:19 PM in response to julius291

Using Google, I found http://computers.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-set-up-an-external-microphone-on- your-mac--mac-44857

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Answer 2

julius291 Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 3, 2016 12:22 PM in response to julius291

Thank you! Already read through that article just talks about USB microphones which isn't useful for me.

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,448 points

Aug 3, 2016 12:33 PM in response to julius291

When you plug in your microphone to the jack, are you opening System Preferences - Sound - Input tab to see if the device is recognized? If you are and you don't see the device, then may have either a defective or incompatible device. Please check the tech specs of the device to be sure.

The article I supplied does show the preference, but I'm not sure if you got that far.

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Answer 4

den.thed

Level 9

77,068 points

Aug 3, 2016 12:41 PM in response to julius291

The 3.5mm Audio Input Jack requires an amplified Line-Level input device.

To use a non-amplified PC microphone with an iMac, you will need to use either a pre-amp or something like a Griffin iMic. You may also be able to patch the microphone thru a stereo receiver or tape player providing that the tape player has Line-Level output.

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Answer 5

julius291 Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 3, 2016 12:42 PM in response to den.thed

Thanks a bunch! So there is no official solution from apple for this? Do you think an USB adapter like a USB soundcard would work?

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Answer 6

den.thed

Level 9

77,068 points

Aug 3, 2016 12:46 PM in response to julius291

You are welcome!

Like rk87 said, you will need to check with the manufacture for Mac OS X compatibility.

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Answer 7

julius291 Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 3, 2016 12:50 PM in response to julius291

Okay, thanks a lot. So if I wanted to use an official solution from Apple I would need a USB microphone or a level-line microphone which has its one power source. Didn't know that. Thanks again.

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