Connector & Settings For Inputting Audio ?

[Robert4]

Hello,

That old age problem again, but really don't understand
what, as usual, I'm doing wrong.

Have a seeveral years old imac desktop.

The mics on the top edge seem to be connected and work
just fine. I can blow or speak into them, and I see the response in the SOUNDS slider.

But, I (also) have an audio output (cable) from a shortwave radio I would
like to input into a program (Google Translate) in the mac.

I thought all I would have to do is plug it into that connector on
the lower side of the left edge.

The 2 settings that appear in SOUND are imac microphone and VBCable for Inputs.
I picked imac microphone, but doesn't seem to work.

What am I missing, please ?

e.g., is this the right input connector to use for inputting audio into the mac,
or should it perhaps be one of the rear connectors, or...?

Is there something "else" to set ?

Much thanks.

As always, appreciate the help,
Bob

 

[PaulD-UK]

Hi, How old is you iMac?
If the 'lower side of the left edge' audio/headphone jack socket has a 'headphones' pictogram it is NOT an Audio-Input port, only output.

If it has this pictogram

it IS an input port, and will work for input if you use the correct 3-ring 3.5mm audio jack plug, or correct digital plug for much older Macs.

VB-Cable is a virtual software input (of some sort)?

Thinking about it 'lower side of the left edge' makes it sound like an M1 iMac, hardly a 'seeveral years old iMac'.
If so, there is no audio input, so you need a USB audio interface to get audio into it.

 

[Fishrrman]

Prediction:
No matter what you try, this probably isn't going to work to your satisfaction.

However, having said that...

What kind of OUTPUT does the radio have?
Does it have a headphone port?
Does it have an audio-out port?

The radio's "speaker" isn't going to work very well, if at all.
Again, you had best "move the signal" through the headphone or audio port.

Assuming it has some kind of headphone or audio-out, it's almost certainly going to be an "analog" signal. (does it have a USB port "out"? that could simplify things)

It will need to be converted from analog-to-digital to "get it into" the Mac.

You'll probably need something like this:

Behringer U-Control UCA202 USB Audio Interface

"Behringer U-control UCA202 Ultra-Low Latency 2 In/2 Out USB/Audio Interface with digital output ultra-flexible audio interface connects your instruments, mixer, etc with your computer for recording and playback High-resolution 48 kHz converters for high-end audio quality Works with your PC or Ma...

www.amazon.com

With the "incoming digitized" signal, perhaps google translate can "latch onto it" and then translate.

But again, I don't think you're going to get satisfaction by putting a mic in front of the radio's speaker -- perhaps just too much "static" interfering with proper connections.

 

[Robert4]

Hi Guys,

First, a most sincere thanks for the help.

I have an imac desktop.
Seems like as best I can determine it has an M1 Chip. 21.5 inch
Model MNE02L/A. Or: AL418
3.4 QC
Probably about 4 or so years old.

There are 4 Ports in the rear.
Two of which have the lightning symbol.
The other two are un-labeled.

On the left edge of the monitor, nearly at the very
bottom ,there is a 3.5 mm Port.

It is Un-Labeled. (a really bad practice to have any un-labeled Ports),

Can this Port be used as an audio input ?

I want to take the audio output (from a connector on the rear of my
sw radio set; (not via the air or speakers) and wire it to this mac Plug.

But, I am not sure this Plug can serve as an Input ? Can it ?

*IF it can serve as an input, is analog O.K., or must it first be converted to digital, as mentioned ?
*Is it Bi-Directional ?

Details on this Plug, and its uses and limitations, would be most appreciated.

Thanks again,
Bob

 

[Fishrrman]

I believe that's a headphone OUT port.

It doesn't do "input", EXCEPT for headsets with mics, I believe. I could be wrong.

Again, what about THE RADIO?
Does it have outputs other than just a speaker?