Headset not registering

When you connect it to the audio-in & audio-out ports does it in show up in System Preferences->Sound, Input/Output mini-tabs?

 

Your Mac mini has a line-level analog audio input port:

http://www.apple.com/mac-mini/specs.html
Audio line in minijack (digital/analog)
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The Corsair Raptor HS30 has a mic-level output:

http://www.corsair.com/us/gaming-peripherals/gaming-headsets/corsair-raptor-hs30-gaming-headset.html
System Requirements:
Any Computer with 3.5mm (1/8”) connectors for audio output and microphone input
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The difference between mic-level and line-level signals is at least 100x, or even more. See previous post here:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=14553841

The short answer is: just because the jacks mate doesn't mean the signal levels are adequate.

You need to do one of the following:
- Get a headset with line-level mic output (unlikely; I know of no such product).
- Get a headset with USB mic and/or headphone I/O (not hard to find, e.g. Corsair Raptor HS40).
- Get a mic preamp to insert between your current headset's mic jack and the Mac mini's line-level analog in (may cost as much or more than your current headset).


FWIW, Macs of all kinds have had line-level analog inputs for years, not mic-level. If an unamplified microphone happens to work, it's by luck, rather than design (i.e. the electronic design).

 

That's true but in this case the input level can be set, and it would be a really odd requirement to ask for a true microphone input, I don't think that is what they mean and I'm not aware of any computer that ship with anything but line inputs. Sound cards that do have separate mic inputs usually have them on XLR connectors with optional 48v phantom power and a preamp, not a 1/8" jack.

From the link above:

 

I understand your point, but I question the accuracy of the linked statement. I think it's simply wrong, but I'm not in a position to test that hypothesis with that particular headset and that particular model of Mac mini.


First, no Mac has had an actual "microphone input" for years.

As you may well know, the "mic input" jack of a PC provides a 5V bias voltage through about a 2KΩ resistor, but I can't recall if it's on the tip or the ring (I'd have to look it up). AFAIK, no Mac supplies that, which means that a raw electret condenser mic simply won't work when plugged into a Mac's line-level input.

Furthermore, the line-level input jack on a Mac is defintely stereo, not mono, as a mic-with-5V-bias jack would be. This can be confirmed using "Audio MIDI Setup.app", located in /Applications/Utilities. On my older Mac mini, I have the option of 2 channels, which is clearly impossible if the input jack were an actual mic input, because a mic input jack has the low-voltage power on one line (tip or ring) and mic input on the other (ring or tip).

When I adjust the input-level sliders in Audio MIDI Setup.app, I can see and hear the effect with a stereo cable (2 RCA to 1/8" tip-ring-sleeve) plugged in. Thus, I conclude that my older Mac mini doesn't have a mic input, but a stereo line-level input. The specs for my older mini clearly stated "line input" when I bought it.

I use a USB headset with my mini for mic input. I have also used a dynamic mic with a preamp and my aforementioned adapter cable. The dynamic mic alone did not work, nor did an unamplified electret condenser.

The Mac mini actually has a combo TRS-toslink jack, but I've never plugged an optical plug into it.


Second, according to this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_and_video_connector

The light-blue audio-in jack is stereo line in (equiv to my Mac mini's audio in), and the pink jack is mono mic in. Whether a given PC or sound card has one or both is up to the manufacturer. I have no PCs handy to confirm or refute this color-coding of jacks.

 

I'm not disputing that, I'm questioning if the marketing material for corsair is correct, i.e they really refer to the line input, however since this is a mic it makes sense to just call it mic input. So we seem to agree? I'm not sure I get you here, the link was provided by you.

Again, my point is I don't think this is the case here since the product page says that it works with PCs and Mac's, desktop, notebooks and laptops.

So? What do you think happens when you connect a mono plug to a stereo socket. I'm well aware that the input is stereo, but plugging a mono connector to it simply adds the left and right channel together making it dual mono.

Again, I'm not disputing the fact that Macs have a stereo line input. But that this headset require a mic input, that would seriously limit it's market, it's clearly meant to be used with typical PC and Mac hardware.

Ok so what?