Macbook 2006+3.5mm mic?

[Hamsterz]

Hey guys! Im a internet DJ (I just got my first shoutcast server with 1k slots ) and I got a nice, fancy expensive mic today. Its 3.5mm jack, my macbook has one of course. I plugged it in, all happy about my purchase, and the deal I snagged, and it doesnt work. No sound comes out of it.

Im 99% positive is not the mic, and its the computer. Any tips?

 

[patrixl]

IIRC, the audio in port on the Macbook isn't powered, so if your mic isn't powered then you won't get sound from it.

Patrix.

 

[spinnerlys]

Did you use the right port?

Did you take a look at System Preferences > Sound > Input?

What software are you using to record from the microphone? Is the input set correctly?


What Mac OS X version do you run?

Is the microphone powered on? (Even though 3.5mm doesn't have phantom power...)

 

[Hamsterz]

IIRC, the audio in port on the Macbook isn't powered, so if your mic isn't powered then you won't get sound from it.

Patrix.

Would it work on a mac
pro?

thats the main reason I bought it, once a week or so I use a mac pro.

 

[spinnerlys]

Would it work on a mac
pro?

thats the main reason I bought it, once a week or so I use a mac pro.

Most likely not. Doesn't has the microphone some internal, switchable battery, which can be powered on?

As far as I know, only XLR ports are good enough to transfer enough power to the microphone (48V), as the smaller TRS connector only supports up to 5V.

 

[zachsilvey]

Make sure you are using the correct imput device in system pref->sound->input

1) Switching to a MacPro isn't going to solve your problem.

2)It obviously isn't a fancy mic if it uses 3.5mm. You should return it and buy a usb mic if you want plug and play goodness (blue snowball or rode podcaster are high quality). If you are looking for a pro sounding mic you should go with a studio condenser or in the specific case of the Heil PR40 a dynamic mic that uses a XLR connection and record through an external device like the M-Audio FastTrack Pro.