How to record audio-in with a newer Mac mini?

[r6mile]

I currently have a 2012 quad-core i7 Mac Mini, with an SSD and 16GB of RAM. Currently running Mac OS Monterey via OCLP, which I found the most stable. Honestly it works great, but for various (mostly software support-related) reasons, I think it may be time for an upgrade.

One annoying thing I discovered in my research, is that more recent Minis - from the 2018 Mac mini, to the Apple Silicon series - did away with the dedicated stereo line-input audio jack. I don't often need to use this, but it has come in handy recently when digitising old audio tapes. It would be nice to have the option to still do that if I upgrade. (The other thing that is annoying to lose is the FW800 port, which I sometimes use as I like to fiddle with vintage Macs and Firewire drives are a fast way to move files!)

What would be the best way to re-gain audio input on these modern Macs? Would something like this suffice? I am a bit confused as to what's required - it doesn't have to be particularly high end, the sound that I would need to record is just speech and mono I believe.

 

[casperes1996]

The product you link there should work yes. I used a similar one from a different brand many years ago when my ports died.

I’ve since switched to an audio interface when multiple inputs for simultaneous guitar, mic and more.
But to just get basic input that should work just fine

 

[monokakata]

It's possible to cobble together a set of adaptors that will let you do FW800/FW400 on your Mini. I did it a few years ago for a Studio, but passed the cables on to someone else. I think it went like this:

Thunderbolt --> FW800 dongle, then FW800 to FW400 cable.

In any event, it's definitely doable, and if you only need FW800 you only need the dongle, which as I remember was actually an Apple dongle.

 

[meson]

The headphone jack is also an audio in jack and has 3 contacts for microphone and stereo audio so that it can work with headphones with a builtin microphone. So, if your Mini is in an accessible place, you can unplug your speakers/headphones and plug in your microphone.

Otherwise, the product you have shown will work. There are also similar products that will plug directly into the 3.5mm jack. You just need to make sure that they are designed for microphone and stereo headphone connections.

Edit: I stand corrected. I guess audio in isn't an option outside of headsets without jumping through hoops.

 

[Fishrrman]

The m4 Mini doesn't have an analog audio input... at all.

You'll need an analog audio to digital usb adapter/converter, or an actual usb audio interface.

Behringer used to make something ideal for this, but I'm not sure if it's sold new anymore.

Behringer U-Control UCA202 USB Audio Interface

16-bit/48kHz, 2-channel USB Audio Interface with Optical Out

www.sweetwater.com

(shows as "backordered", not sure anyone has new units in stock, you could look for a gently-used one)

I'd do a search on the string "analog audio to digital usb converter" and see what it comes up with.

DON'T CHEAP OUT here.
You don't have to buy the most expensive, but don't settle on the cheapest, either.
Read user reviews to get an idea of how well the thing works, especially for the purpose of digitizing tapes.

 

[casperes1996]

Regarding FireWire, you can indeed cobble together something that works, but do note that next year's macOS is going to remove the FireWire drivers