Getting an external microphone to work...?

[Thunderbird8]

I can't get my new mac pro to recognise either a headset with a mic attached, or a standard PC microphone, both under Leopard and Bootcamp/Vista.

Any ideas? :confused:

[Thunderbird8]

I knew no-one could hear me!

[mchalebk]

What kind of mic/headset are you trying to connect? The MacPro has an audio line-in, which will work with signals like CD players and other line level inputs (from the manual: "Connect self-powered microphones, MP3 and CD players, and other devices with analog capability."). A passive microphone will not work. You need some kind of preamp if your mic is passive.

[WinterMute]

Most headset mics require power, and the Line input on modern Macs do not supply that power.

You need something like Griffins iMic, it's cheap, easy to set up and works like a charm.

I use it to power the etymotic in-ear headset..

[Thunderbird8]

Thanks guys, I was trying it with a bog-standard mic.

[Thunderbird8]

Just an addendum to this, do you know if the imic will work under Windows Vista?

[XianPalin]

Doesn't appear to be compatible with Vista. I would suggest buying a USB headset, such as this one for gaming:

http://www.amazon.com/Edimensional-Audiofx-Pro-1-Headset/dp/B000TMI0GA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1215023297&sr=1-1

Though I'm not sure of compatibility of that one with OS X.