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Mac Pro headphone port doesn't detect mic in headset?

MythicFrost

MythicFrost

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Mar 11, 2009
3,944
40
Australia
Hi,

I've plugged my headset into the front of my Mac Pro3,1 (2008) and it detects the headphones for audio output, but not the microphone for input.

I've Googled around but haven't found anything helpful.

Could anyone tell me how I can get it to work? Perhaps there's an adaptor or something?

Cheers
 
See this post here

You need a USB dongle with Mic-In and the one I've linked there, has also Audio-Out.

I hope this helps.
 
VAGDesign said:
See this post here

You need a USB dongle with Mic-In and the one I've linked there, has also Audio-Out.

I hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Ah thank you! I see on the device you linked that there are two ports. My headset only has one plug -- but it'll work if I connect it into one of the ports on the USB?

Is the quality good?
Does the volume HAVE to be adjusted via the USB?
 
I think it'll work. I use it only for Mic In, so I don't have a headset like yours to try it out. But what the heck, it's so cheap that I don't care.

You can adjust the volume from the Sound preferences in OS X. It is detected by the OS X and doesn't need driver to work. The quality is good, no problems so far after 4 months I use it.
 
VAGDesign said:
I think it'll work. I use it only for Mic In, so I don't have a headset like yours to try it out. But what the heck, it's so cheap that I don't care.

You can adjust the volume from the Sound preferences in OS X. It is detected by the OS X and doesn't need driver to work. The quality is good, no problems so far after 4 months I use it.
Click to expand...
I've just found out my dad has a similar thing that connects over USB. I tested it but the mic in my headset didn't work.

So I think I need something which takes the one 3.5mm plug I have (carrying mic and headphone signal) and plugs into the audio in and mic out in the back of the Mac Pro AND is also powered...?
 
The problem with the Mic-IN on the back on the Mac Pro is that has no power to transfer the signal. That's why me and many others use a USB dongle that gets power from USB to transfer audio in (and out).

In your case, you want the iPhone earpods for example to work in Mac Pro as in iPhone... this needs more research for something easy and cheap as the dongle I linked on the other post.
 
VAGDesign said:
The problem with the Mic-IN on the back on the Mac Pro is that has no power to transfer the signal. That's why me and many others use a USB dongle that gets power from USB to transfer audio in (and out).

In your case, you want the iPhone earpods for example to work in Mac Pro as in iPhone... this needs more research for something easy and cheap as the dongle I linked on the other post.
Click to expand...
I had an idea. Perhaps I can use the USB adaptor (as you mentioned) and use a standard splitter for my headset to separate the audio in and out. Maybe I'll try this. Appreciate your help, thanks a lot!
 
I found 2 similar solutions here and here but seems to be the same as the USB dongle. Try your idea and let us know for future reference.

Good luck!
 
I search an USB sound card like since many years, but i found nothing good : only jack adapter to have the two jack (one for audio in and one for audio out) and a classic USB sound card.
 
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Thanks for your replies everyone. I connected everything and they do work, however unfortunately there is an annoying buzzing present so I'm considering just getting an actual microphone.
 
MythicFrost said:
Thanks for your replies everyone. I connected everything and they do work, however unfortunately there is an annoying buzzing present so I'm considering just getting an actual microphone.
Click to expand...

I am using a USB Logitech headset with Microphone
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/stereo-headset-h390?crid=36

18968.png


Works fine on the classic Mac Pro. No unwanted background noise and plug and Play in OSX Mountain Lion or Snow Leopard. My only complain is the headset foam, it corrodes after a year of usage. Headset worked fine in Skype or Google chat hangout.
 
I see. It's weird. I tested my headphones with the logitech USB soundcard adapter + headset splitter + headphones and I hear it -- but I also hear it on my dad's computer with his headphones using his own logitech USB adapter (no splitter.) (Though the sound is somewhat different.) And my headphones when plugged directly into his iMac work perfectly.

I've read about buzzing / beeping that can occur if the computer isn't plugged into a grounded power point but I don't know anything about that stuff. My Mac Pro connects into a power board and then to the power point.
 
So I bought a Creative Play 2 USB soundcard and connected my headset to it via the single input and it's working great without any humming or static. So it must've been the Logitech USB soundcard.
 
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