External Mic not working

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Level 1

0 points

External Mic not working

I have my external mic hooked up on my MBP C2D under windows and i've tried everything. The only sound im getting from the microphone is from the internal on the laptop. Is there a way to disable the internal mic and just have it pick up the external or something in that idea. Just want my external mic to work. Help would be good

Macbook Pro, Windows XP

Posted on May 22, 2007 5:56 PM

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Answer 1

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

May 22, 2007 6:38 PM in response to Ozzy0

/Utilities/Audio MIDI Setup is used to configure all system audio device parameters

The microphone must send a line-level signal / be compatible for it to work right. Often a pre-amp is needed ...

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Answer 2

Ricktoronto

Level 6

11,560 points

May 22, 2007 6:38 PM in response to Ozzy0

The external mic input is a line input. Mic outputs are way too low output to use in a line level input.

Get a preamp or much easier, get a Griffin iMic, and plug the mic into that, selecting it as the input source in the sound preferences.

Or a USB mic or USB headset/mic like Altec Lansing's or even Microsoft Lifechat.

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Answer 3

Ozzy0 Author

Level 1

0 points

May 22, 2007 7:21 PM in response to Ricktoronto

so my best bet would be just too get a usb mic and that will work fine with no problems? I was going too get a 5.1 Channel audio adapter so i can use my surround sound again anyway.

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Answer 4

Ricktoronto

Level 6

11,560 points

May 24, 2007 7:20 AM in response to Ozzy0

I use a headset for Skype, one is Altec Lansing which is a normal headset packaged with a neat little USB sound card dongle that plugs in and has mic in and headphones out.

The other is Microsoft LifeChat 3000 which is an all in one USB headset, works very nice. It was on sale, hence MS. has a little mute button and controls the MBP volume as well.

If you have your own mic then get the Griffin iMic which is exactly what you need in this situation.

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Answer 5

Ozzy0 Author

Level 1

0 points

May 24, 2007 8:17 AM in response to Ozzy0

alright thanks for the help, didnt think i was ever going too figure it out. You would think apple would have put a regular mic port on the MBP.

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Answer 6

Ricktoronto

Level 6

11,560 points

May 24, 2007 9:35 AM in response to Ozzy0

For mixing music and more pro applications a line input ,e.g from a mxing board output makes more sense than a mic input as mics would normally go into a mixer and then be output at line voltage.

Windows machines have mic inputs since nobody uses them vs. macs for music and video production to the same degree, if they have any sense.

So your premise is a bit faulty. Also they did build in a mic for you - you can talk to your mac and it will talk back now.

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Answer 7

Ozzy0 Author

Level 1

0 points

May 24, 2007 2:21 PM in response to Ozzy0

Yes, i know they have a mic built in but i cant play games and talk too my clan mates with that mic, because the lid was closed and all you heard was the noise from the van. I have a Logitech USB Mic now and it's working finally.

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Answer 8

VernK

Level 1

1 points

May 28, 2007 6:26 PM in response to Ozzy0

OK, if the MBP does require a line level input, why is it that my headset mic works just fine with the mac booted into Windows, but as a Mac I get nothing?

Yours
Vern

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Answer 9

VernK

Level 1

1 points

May 28, 2007 6:26 PM in response to Ozzy0

OK, if the MBP does require a line level input, why is it that my headset mic works just fine with the Mac booted into Windows, but as a Mac I get nothing?

Yours
Vern

MBP C2D Mac OS X (10.4.9)

G5 Mac OS X (10.4.9)

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Answer 10

VernK

Level 1

1 points

May 28, 2007 6:27 PM in response to Ozzy0

OK, if the MBP does require a line level input, why is it that my headset mic works just fine with the Mac booted into Windows, but as a Mac I get nothing?

Yours
Vern

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Answer 11

Aug 9, 2007 2:54 PM in response to Ozzy0

I have a 2.4 gHz MacBook Pro and use an Altec Lansing AHS302usb headphones (comes with a mic) as my external mic input during online gaming. It is actually a USB 2.0 mic and headphone combination that works in Windows XP via BootCamp and also in Mac OS X. I have successfully used this in BootCamp (Windows XP) for gaming in Battlefield 2142. Works fine - no problems at all. Windows and Mac OS both auto configure to use this external mic and headphones automatically when the USB connector is plugged in.

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