Iwan

Hi folks,

I just bought a Mac Mini to replace an aging PC which died. I want to get Skype up and running on it, but I'm having a problem with my headset.

I have my headphones plugged into the 3.5mm headphone socket, and my mic plugged into the 3.5mm Line-In socket.



The headphones work fine, but I can't get the mic to pick up any sound. Is the line level of the line-in port the same as mic level? Or do I need to junk the mic and get a USB headset?

Or is my Mac Mini borked?

Any advice appreciated.

jowl

On my Macbook the levels for output and Line In can be set differently. The Line in volume was set to '0' - although there is an internal Mic in it of course.

ScoobyDoo555

I'll assume that you haven't found the Audio/Midi setup utility.


Once in the setup, with the mic plugged in, you can adjust the levels (IIRC)



Depending on the mic, you might need to ramp up the input level (some are pretty sh1te)...

HOpe this helps

Dan

Iwan

*runs to spare room to try that*

Iwan

Hmmm, not working.

It's like it's not seeing the mic at all. I assume the line in socket on mac's takes a standard 3.5mm 3-core jack plug?

The mic was working fine on the PC before it broke, I have nothing else to test it on since the mic socket is broken on my laptop!

ScoobyDoo555

got any headphones?

old engineer's trick - plug the headphones into the mic input (after all, headphones and mics are essentially the same thing!! )

Try the headphones......

Will also try it on my G5

Dan

ScoobyDoo555

OK - I've just plugged a pair of headphones into my Mic/Line port. Turned up the volume sliders to full.

Gone into garageband and recorded.

The issue is probably to do with Skype then.

Will have a look at skype - I don't use it, but will see what's what

dan

Iwan

Thx Dan.

I tried in just the sound setup utility (with the mic) and the level bar didn't move at all when I shouted at the mic, that was without using Skype at all.

Will try with a pair of headphones now...

ScoobyDoo555

yep - just recorded to the skype test call - a ok (albeit cr@p sound!!)

Dan

Iwan

Right, I just tried a pair of tiny iPod headphones in the mic socket and they just about work, i.e. on a Skype test call if I shout into them it just about hears me (with the audio input sliders up to max).

So I guess my mic is borked, or is just too low level for the Mac.

Thanks for your diagnotic tips mate.

Since my mic is built into an old cheapo headset, any recommendations on a headset which is 100% Mac compatable? Either a using USB or 3.5mm jacks?

Cheers.

ScoobyDoo555

great - sounds like the mic is borked tbh the level in skype for the test will be quiet, so no issues there

with regards to a replacement, not too sure really - i don't use em.

Anybody got some suggestions?

Dan

RichB

Not all mics work. I have some old Apple mics and they dont work in my old G4. I use a G5 with an iSight so not sure if it works on that.
Good tip about the headphones though, not head that before.

ScoobyDoo555

shhhhh

top secret, that one!!
Really cool for lo-fi vocals

Dan