Normal Mic doesnt work in MBP ?

Just bought a new Logitech headset. The mic did not work when i connected it to my MBP. Googling around, i found that the line-in port on MBP doesnt supply any power to the mic unlike normal windows laptops, so my microphone will not work and i need either a USB headset or a externally powered mic. Does anyone have any other solution ?

 

I thought mine worked just fine.

Though I believe I only hooked a mic up to it once. You may want to call apple about that. It should work the same as any other mic port.

 

Yeah, I couldn't get any microphone working with MBP's "line-in" optical jack. and iPod works just great, but when you plug in a mic, there's no signal.

Which really pisses me off.

 

MBP has line level input. It's not amplified, so regular PC mic won't work. You'll need either an amplified mic (hard to find) or USB mic. Any USB headset with mic will work. Another alternative is to get mac friendly USB soundcard with mic input.

 

Yes, the MBP is designed for professionals, and for professionals this type of port is much more useful, it also supports mini-optical in/out.

 

I would recommend a USB mic anyway. That way the conversion happens outside of the computer and is less likely to have hissing and buzzing.

 

Got a USB headset today finally for voice chat in games. Only drawback in USB headset is costs. I can get a normal cheap one for like 7-8 euros but USB one i got was 50 euros

 

Ya they are more pricey, but that is because they basically have a soundcard in them. And that gives you better quality generally.

 

I am running Vista through Boot Camp and I use Ventrilo to talk in game. My mic (Not USB) doesn't work at all in it. It's a headset so I have to use both the line in and the headphone jacks. Should the mic be working in Windows or should I try to find a USB one?

 

Nope. Same problem as me. The line-in port in MBP is not powered like in normal laptops, so you cant use your normal headset. Either use a USB headset/powered mic/external USB soundcard.

 

This is not true, I've gotten my cheap $10 Mic to work under bootcamp windows XP perfectly...and I ALMOST ordered a $50 usb mic...phew!

 

Are you sure it is the external mic which is working or it is the inbuilt mic ?? check the volume control ..... Everywhere on internet as well as Apple Support website clearly says only powered mic will work, not normal mics.

 

Yeah in bootcamp and XP I just turned on mic boost and it works like expected with my normal headset. In OS X it works for skype too. I tweaked some settings and now it works great.

 

Does the built in mic work fine for games? I haven't tried it yet, but I have an older Logitech desk mic that I was hoping I could use, but if not, the built in mic would work just fine, wouldnt it?

 

Hi guys

I don't have the solution, but here is my own experience:

- The input is in fact line in. Some say it is 20db less then mic in.

- I connected my "Sony ECM-MS907" stereo mic, for MD recording, and the input volume was really too low for any decent recording.

- Just to make sure, I connected the mic to my Minidisc recorder, then set it to "rec pause". I could here the picked up sound through the MD headphones. I then pluged a jack-jack cord - instead of the headphones - connecting the minidisc to the line in input of the MacBook Pro that we are now discussing. I just gave a last set up to the MD's output volume and "voilá" - Perfect input volume on my Mac.

So, it is really a nice working "line in" input, just not a "mic in" - I guess we didn't read the fine print when Apple says "line level mic" - advertising by omission!!!! When I read "Mic in" one just doesn't think about anything else, does one!!!

Nevertheless as a a "line in" it works perfectly! I'm a musician, and I have connected all kinds of devices during the last year!

By the whay, what do you guys consider to be a "powered mic"?
I use a 150€ "Sony ECM-MS907" mic, that only runs on a 1,5v AA battery.
Isn't that powered enough?
Well, as I said, it doesn't work!

Solution?

A friend of mine, also on a MBP just had, laying around at home, this little gadjet that came with some headset. It's a jack cord, with a tiny box and a input (mic in) - What is does, is simply to amplify the signal.

I don't seem to find something like that on the web, I'm affraid.

The solution of buying a USB gadjet like the iMic, seems a little silly.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic/


The MBP DOES HAVE a very nice sound card. Paying money to use up another usb port (and we just have 2, guys!) more drivers, more devices on the audio list, just to use a mic??? I can't come to terms with this! Come on!! It's a 2500€ laptop, Apple!!!


Cheers,
Cross

 

Great going Wave!

Tell us what to do!!

Cheers,
Cross

 

Is this the same with the Macbook? Considering that MB is a consumer Mac...