No microphone volume on line-in with known-good mic...

[lamina]

Yes, I set the input level. My internal mic works... I wonder what the deal is...

[CanadaRAM]

A microphone does not produce a line level signal. If you are plugging into a Mac with a line-in, you will need a preamp of some description to boost the mic's signal to line-level voltages.

Put the Mic through a mixer, or a stand-alone preamp, or get an alternate interface like a Griffin iMic or a firewire or USB digital audio interface.

[Eidorian]

I'd use a USB mic or get an amplifier like CanadaRAM (http://forums.macrumors.com/member.php?u=41707) suggested.

I've had go results using USB sound car...boxes. I have a Creative one before they crippled it and it has so many in/output options. (Optical, line, and composite.)

[lamina]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I will pick up a USB headset tomorrow, hopefully I won't get gouged too much... friggin Best Buy.