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mic volume extremely low!
- Thread starter macchar
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I have the same problem with my 2011 13" MBA, no audio in with FaceTime. In preferences I can see the scale jump if I tap the MBA but no sound is heard at the other end.
I facetime all the time without the issue. I did take the advice earlier in the thread and turned off ambient noise reduction.
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I got the same problem, Facetimed with my girlfriend twice and the told me both times that she could only hear me while I was talking directly to the screen. If I turn my head like 20-30% she wasn't able to hear me anymore ...
No fix available yet?
I got the same problem, Facetimed with my girlfriend twice and the told me both times that she could only hear me while I was talking directly to the screen. If I turn my head like 20-30% she wasn't able to hear me anymore ...
No fix available yet?
Low mic volume on MacBook Air 13" - me too
Add me to the list of folks experiencing low volume problems with 13" MacBook Air (latest mid 2011 release with i5 processor I bought late July 2011). There's another thread in Apple support forum that I have posted in (https://discussions.apple.com/message/16110568#16110568), but here's a quick review of the issue and resolution (in progress).
Issue: Microphone volume (input) is not sufficient to properly conduct FaceTime conversation. If I turn my head and talk about 2-3" away from mic on side of Air, sound is okay, but totally impractical use.
Resolution (in process):
1. Talked to Apple Support. No obvious fix
2. Then went to Apple store (Willowbend in Plano, TX) to Genius Bar. They were not able to resolve by adjusting anything. Tech believes something wrong with mic, so has ordered a new one (there were none in stock). Replacement part expected sometime next week (no charge for replacement).
3. I will update status with results after I get new microphone installed in my MBA -- likely sometime late next week.
Thanks, Grant
Add me to the list of folks experiencing low volume problems with 13" MacBook Air (latest mid 2011 release with i5 processor I bought late July 2011). There's another thread in Apple support forum that I have posted in (https://discussions.apple.com/message/16110568#16110568), but here's a quick review of the issue and resolution (in progress).
Issue: Microphone volume (input) is not sufficient to properly conduct FaceTime conversation. If I turn my head and talk about 2-3" away from mic on side of Air, sound is okay, but totally impractical use.
Resolution (in process):
1. Talked to Apple Support. No obvious fix
2. Then went to Apple store (Willowbend in Plano, TX) to Genius Bar. They were not able to resolve by adjusting anything. Tech believes something wrong with mic, so has ordered a new one (there were none in stock). Replacement part expected sometime next week (no charge for replacement).
3. I will update status with results after I get new microphone installed in my MBA -- likely sometime late next week.
Thanks, Grant
Update - low microphone volume fixed
Took my MBA in to Apple store yesterday. They replaced the left side mic/speaker and voila... perfect sound now with FaceTime.
Suggest anyone having this low mic volume issue with MacBook Air take it into local Apple store and get this replacement. By the way, no charge since was covered under warrantee.
Cheers, Grant
Took my MBA in to Apple store yesterday. They replaced the left side mic/speaker and voila... perfect sound now with FaceTime.
Suggest anyone having this low mic volume issue with MacBook Air take it into local Apple store and get this replacement. By the way, no charge since was covered under warrantee.
Cheers, Grant
Fix for Air Mic problems
good news your microphones do not need surgery.
Go to system preferences > sound, input / internal microphone - turn off "use ambient noise reduction", ride the mic input volume lever up and down a few times, should be okay now can leave ambient off or turn back on.
Are people here maybe plugging the air into a 27" Apple Display ? could be something to do with switching mics regularly between the 27" and the AIR.
Anyway the problem with Apple Retail Stores for surgery is they always return your macs with scratches on after repairs, don't think you'll need to use them for this mic problem it's software not hardware.
good news your microphones do not need surgery.
Go to system preferences > sound, input / internal microphone - turn off "use ambient noise reduction", ride the mic input volume lever up and down a few times, should be okay now can leave ambient off or turn back on.
Are people here maybe plugging the air into a 27" Apple Display ? could be something to do with switching mics regularly between the 27" and the AIR.
Anyway the problem with Apple Retail Stores for surgery is they always return your macs with scratches on after repairs, don't think you'll need to use them for this mic problem it's software not hardware.
software bug
It pretty much has to be a software bug. As soon as I connect on FaceTime I can see the input volume bars disappear. Hang up, and they re-appear with no problem.
The mic works fine in other apps. I can record audio no problem. If I start up the preferences and keep the input volume open when I start FaceTime, again it looks fine. But the moment the other party answers, the volume goes to zilch.
Bug. Lot's of posts with the same problem, lots of people suggesting the same solutions, but it isn't ambient noise being switched on or off.
It's something in the way the sound gets routed the minute the other person answers. There is probably some combo of software either on the sending or receiving end that is hijacking the sound stream.
It's going to be one of those issues that keeps getting reported over and over until somebody has the time to re-create it and stumbles over a solution or Apple issues a fix.
It pretty much has to be a software bug. As soon as I connect on FaceTime I can see the input volume bars disappear. Hang up, and they re-appear with no problem.
The mic works fine in other apps. I can record audio no problem. If I start up the preferences and keep the input volume open when I start FaceTime, again it looks fine. But the moment the other party answers, the volume goes to zilch.
Bug. Lot's of posts with the same problem, lots of people suggesting the same solutions, but it isn't ambient noise being switched on or off.
It's something in the way the sound gets routed the minute the other person answers. There is probably some combo of software either on the sending or receiving end that is hijacking the sound stream.
It's going to be one of those issues that keeps getting reported over and over until somebody has the time to re-create it and stumbles over a solution or Apple issues a fix.
low mic input on MBP 15"
I have a 15" macbook pro from 2010. Until about ten weeks ago the builtin mic worked great for skype and other applications. Then people started telling me that my voice was very faint. Today I looked into it and used audacity to record my voice under various conditions. I started by rebooting my machine. I am running 10.7.3.
The input is very faint for the builtin mic. I get no input using an external USB mic. I get a good signal if I use my phone's headphones with its attached mic.
I tried adjusting the input level via the sound input widget from the system preferences app, the midi setup app and the controls in audacity and these did not change the situation -- I can only get useful sound input using my phone's earphones via the headphone jack.
I have a 15" macbook pro from 2010. Until about ten weeks ago the builtin mic worked great for skype and other applications. Then people started telling me that my voice was very faint. Today I looked into it and used audacity to record my voice under various conditions. I started by rebooting my machine. I am running 10.7.3.
The input is very faint for the builtin mic. I get no input using an external USB mic. I get a good signal if I use my phone's headphones with its attached mic.
I tried adjusting the input level via the sound input widget from the system preferences app, the midi setup app and the controls in audacity and these did not change the situation -- I can only get useful sound input using my phone's earphones via the headphone jack.
So after much searching on this topic I have found a fix for line-in external mics. Someone on the mac support board said they spoke to tech support and external mics that aren't self-powered have input volumes that are very low, and that the only mics that will work properly as an input should be self-powered. I didn't feel like purchasing a new mic to use with Rosetta Stone (built in mic was unreliable for voice recognition), I found a USB device which provides ample power to boost the input volume. I just tested it out and it works like a charm.
Here's the model that I purchased, though I believe any similar device should work: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10311&cs_id=1031105&p_id=2881&seq=1&format=2
No idea about the built in level problems, as I haven't experienced that. But for line in externals this is a good and cheap solution.
Here's the model that I purchased, though I believe any similar device should work: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10311&cs_id=1031105&p_id=2881&seq=1&format=2
No idea about the built in level problems, as I haven't experienced that. But for line in externals this is a good and cheap solution.
I'm using a late-2011 15" MBP on OS X 10.7.4 and I'm experiencing the same low-volume issue in FaceTime!
When not using FaceTime, the internal mic is loud --- I can speak in a normal tone and the mic sound indicator bars go up like crazy when I talk. But on FaceTime I'd have to YELL in order to achieve the same effect.
What the hell is wrong with this app? We're in the mid-August 2012 now and apparently still no fix for it?!
When not using FaceTime, the internal mic is loud --- I can speak in a normal tone and the mic sound indicator bars go up like crazy when I talk. But on FaceTime I'd have to YELL in order to achieve the same effect.
What the hell is wrong with this app? We're in the mid-August 2012 now and apparently still no fix for it?!
Same problem with my MBA 2011: with FaceTime and Skype other people can barely hear me. In System Preferences, Input volume is turned all up, but shouting at my Mac raises the input level to two bars, at most. Tapping on the laptop's enclosure, however, does make the input level go right up till the last bar.
Even worse, my MBA has now been repaired twice by Apple: both times they replaced the "Microphone and left speaker kit". Still, the problem persists.
Even worse, my MBA has now been repaired twice by Apple: both times they replaced the "Microphone and left speaker kit". Still, the problem persists.
Anyone tried to see if 10.9 fixes the problem? I have a 2012 iMac and i have the same issue, when using facetime the mic input level is very low even though i maxed out the input volume bar, if i stop using facetime the microphone input level is much higher.
It is quite annoying knowing that i almost have to scream into a 2500 dollar machine..
edit: bug report sent to apple
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Haven't noticed anything for a while actually. Seems to have fixed itself (I'm on 10.9 but seemed to work before this as well)!
Microphone volume low because of moved
In my case, the glue of the microphone was loose and thus the mic moved a bit and no longer contact with the small holes in the body of my macbook. I think the body blocked its input. That's why people hear my voice with very low volume while the typing volume remains normal.
The microphone for my macbook air 2010 is under the left speaker. And I could see and check it right after opening the back case.
Hope this is helpful (sorry for the poor English).
In my case, the glue of the microphone was loose and thus the mic moved a bit and no longer contact with the small holes in the body of my macbook. I think the body blocked its input. That's why people hear my voice with very low volume while the typing volume remains normal.
The microphone for my macbook air 2010 is under the left speaker. And I could see and check it right after opening the back case.
Hope this is helpful (sorry for the poor English).
I have the same problem.
Opened a thread, but nobody replied:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=18243117
Think this is a malfunction. I'll talk with the guys at the shop, since I'm on the 2nd year of warranty (under european law).
Opened a thread, but nobody replied:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=18243117
Think this is a malfunction. I'll talk with the guys at the shop, since I'm on the 2nd year of warranty (under european law).
This worked for me a few months ago - my mike would be inaudible, except for keystrokes, tapping on the body of the computer, like someone mentioned earlier in the thread. I futzed with ambient noise reduction, everything else in settings, no change.
It's a little gross, but there's nothing wrong with your mike - the holes on the side of the air are drilled so small they get easily and thoroughly clogged with everyday crud. you need something extremely thin, like a single strand of speaker wire - then gently, and without pushing in too far, clean out the microphone holes. It'll work as new.
It's a little gross, but there's nothing wrong with your mike - the holes on the side of the air are drilled so small they get easily and thoroughly clogged with everyday crud. you need something extremely thin, like a single strand of speaker wire - then gently, and without pushing in too far, clean out the microphone holes. It'll work as new.