Which one is the microphone jack?

Plug it in / go to system preferences / sound / input / make sure your mic is set up correctly.

White MacBook


Aluminium Unibody MacBook, the same as with the white MacBook


The White Unibody MacBook has no dedicated audio in.


The Aluminium Unibody 13" MacBook Pro also has no dedicated audio in.


So, I'm out of guesses, someone else has to tip in now and guess further what the problem could be.



So, what MacBook do you have and do those jacks connected to the headset have some kind of colour coding (green/reed/pink/...)?

Any more information you can give us, like OS version, software you use with the headset, ...?

Ok so you have some headphones where the mic cable is plugged into the line in and it's not working? Check the mic? Use another just to see.

jessica. said:

Ok so you have some headphones where the mic cable is plugged into the line in and it's not working? Check the mic? Use another just to see.

Click to expand...

Is it in all the way I know the new MBPs need to be pushed in harder.

JordanLB23 said:

sigh why does everything have to be so difficult...

they're all pushed in. I went to the input tab in sounds and there are only 2 options: built in mic and Line In. Nothing shows up regarding my microphone from my headset.

My headset/microphone is from razer.

Click to expand...

So what happens if you choose LINE-IN?

No, there's a built in one.

JordanLB23 said:

nothing.

i talk, and notthing shows up on vent , no sounds. the audio logo on vent doesnt even move when i talk

Click to expand...

MacBooks (even in the PowerBook days) do NOT have a microphone input jack. Line-in jack is different from microphone jack. A microphone input is an amplified port, whereas line-in is not (it is simply an audio input).

The reason your headset is not working is because the audio signal is not being amplified through the line-in port. I tried getting a headset before and used the line-in thinking it would work. Nope. Tried (and returned) two different headsets before realizing this. I needed a powered USB headset.

I guess either buy an external sound amplifier or get a USB-powered headset.

JordanLB23 said:

lol wow. last time im ever buying an apple computer. such great computers with the easiest problems that they won't solve.

is the imic an external sound amplifier ?

Click to expand...

you're not going to buy a Mac again because you can't use a headset straight out of the box? That seems like a VERY small annoyance to the otherwise vastly overwelming benefits from using a Mac and OS X.

But to answer your question, yes, the iMic would be an example of what you are looking for. Your headset microphone should work now with one of those.

I gotcha. That sucks that you're having other problems. I'd be kinda pissed too. Hopefully the logic board replacement is covered under AppleCare.

JordanLB23 said:

lol wow.
is the imic an external sound amplifier ?

Click to expand...

Yes and no. Your headset will work with it as well as the mic (I have one). The no part is that it's technically an external sound card so it will show up as another option in the Sounds of System Preferences.

JordanLB23 said:

are there any alternatives to the imic where i can buyit at bestbuy or futureshop?

Click to expand...

BestBuy only has:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Creativ...423921440&skuId=8953705&st=creative&cp=1&lp=8

and

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Creativ...037433764&skuId=9149977&st=creative&cp=1&lp=9

I use an imic on my macs for vent. I bought mine at the University of Alberta bookstore and I'm pretty sure I've seen them at mymacdealer if you happen to be in edmonton.

JordanLB23 said:

I DONT WANT TO USE THE BUILT IN ONE

I bought a $120 headset/microphone, came home opened it plugged it into my computer everything is good except the microphone doesnt work. they are all plugged in properly.

I'm willing to take pictures/videos for more help if im not explaining this good enough.

Click to expand...

Line in needs an amplified signal to work, your mic isn't one.

Not going to shop BB in Canada for you, but how about something like this?
http://www.macworld.com/article/49514/2006/02/ahs302usb.html

What about something like this?
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TX093LL/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY

That's what I was thinking of getting for use with the iPhone, and one of the comments/reviews says it works with a Mac. Should, its just a Bluetooth device afterall.

Maybe this?
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TW373LL/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY

Anyway, Google or search the Apple Store for 'mac headset'