Why can't I adjust the input level on my usb mic in sound settings?

Question

Why can't I adjust the input level on my usb mic in sound settings?

So few USB mics have physical gain controls, and Apple clearly states that "You can’t adjust the input volume for a digital input device using your computer’s controls. You must adjust the input volume from its source, such as a receiver" (from this page macOS Sierra: Adjust your computer’s sound input settings).

What do USB mic users do if they want to record at a different level? Buy a different USB mic? This is so weird. I feel like control of your input gain is paramount.

I think ealier versions of OS X allowed for this, but now there's just "selected device has no input controls".

Why??

Posted on Sep 6, 2017 4:36 PM

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Answer 1

Leanne_68

Community Specialist

Sep 7, 2017 7:33 AM in response to backpackmacmusic

Hi backpackmacmusic ,

I understand that you have some microphones and you'd like to know more about adjusting the volume for them since you are unable to do it using your computer's controls. I'm happy to provide some help for this.

If your microphone does not have the necessary controls built in, you can use an external mixing device. I've included a few that we sell on the Apple online store below:

IK Multimedia iRig Pro I/O Audio and MIDI Interface - Apple
Apogee ONE USB Microphone and Audio Interface for iPad, iPhone, and Mac - Apple
Apogee Duet USB Audio Interface for iPad, iPhone, and Mac - Apple

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. Cheers!

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Answer 2

stuartjash

Level 4

1,482 points

Dec 6, 2017 2:42 PM in response to backpackmacmusic

Are you using the mic to record into a specific program? I only ask because most programs have built-in audio input adjustment functions.

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Answer 3

Oct 13, 2017 6:27 AM in response to Leanne_68

Hi Starr.C

Thank you for your response. And sorry for my late follow-up.

Those interfaces are all fine. I even own one of them.

My question, however, was WHY can't I adjust the input volume of USB mics in sound settings. With emphasis on 'why'. Because I remember having that option in earlier versions of OS X, and it seems curious to me, why you'd want to get rid of it.

What's even weirder, though, is the fact that I see reviews of USB mics on YouTube, where the reviewer is actually doing it - pulling the (to me nonexistant) input slider left and right in their sound settings: Samson Meteorite USB Microphone Review / Test - YouTube

I'm honestly really confused about this. If you or anyone else here has any insight into this, please share it with me.

Thanks,

Jakob

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Answer 4

stuartjash

Level 4

1,482 points

Dec 6, 2017 3:53 PM in response to Gazid

I'm assuming you adjusted the volume on your Pioneer DDJ SR and made sure the Gain isn't set too high?

How come you are using Butt instead of just doing the recording directly through Serato's recording option? Is there a specific reason? Plus, since the DDJ is ran through the USB and a self-managed software, I doubt it would even need to be managed by the sound options in macOS.

Often when I do anything with Serato going directly into my computer or being routed into Ableton, I have to turn the volume on my mixer down quite noticeably. Also, check your Serato settings, as I know you can manually adjust auto-gain being applied to each track and also the master.

Hope that helps!

CrashBurner

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Answer 5

Gazid

Level 1

4 points

Dec 6, 2017 2:33 PM in response to backpackmacmusic

Hey Jakob,

I have a similar problem but with a controller. Did you find a solution in the end?

G

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Answer 6

stuartjash

Level 4

1,482 points

Dec 6, 2017 2:43 PM in response to Gazid

What kind of controller are you using Gazid?

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Answer 7

Dec 20, 2017 9:39 AM in response to Gazid

Hi Gazid,

I did not find a solution. This is so wierd.

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Answer 8

Gazid

Level 1

4 points

Dec 6, 2017 3:45 PM in response to stuartjash

It's a Pioneer DDJ SR (Serato). This is connected to the MacBook Pro (Sierra) via USB. I'm using it in conjunction with a bit of software called 'Butt' which is a streaming and recording software. The problem is the the input volume is too high and therefore distorting on the recording and the stream. I can adjust the recording volume in the 'Butt' software but it is the input level in the Mac which cannot be reduced.

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Answer 9

Gazid

Level 1

4 points

Dec 7, 2017 12:22 PM in response to stuartjash

Hi CB,

Many thanks for that. The reason I use Butt is because I play on an internet radio station and that is what they use for remote DJs to log on the server to stream. The output from the mixer into the monitors is fine and nothing is peaking. The record levels on Butt are also pretty low, no peaking there either. When I open system preferences, it's the audio input level that is peaking and cannot be adjusted. I've tried opening the Audio Midi set up from the utilities folder but there is nothing adjustable in there. So it does seem to me that it's an internal Mac thing.

Just spoken to a DJ friend who said he has the controller running into the Mac but the master output goes into a second mixer (outputting to the monitors) with the USB output from the mixer going into a second Mac which hosts the Butt software. That seems crazy!

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