Sound settings

[mac_audio]

Hello. I have some questions about how the Sound settings under System Preferences work. TO be honest I find them very confusing!

First off, under the Input and Output tabs, is it true that whatever is selected is what your computer's input/output is, or is that just where you adjust those settings.

Also, when I plug in something like a USB headset with microphone, do I have to change the SOund settings to make it work?

 

[DeltaMac]

Yes. You would often use the Sound pref pane to select the inputs/outputs that you would use - and you use that pane to adjust levels for those audio devices.
And, Yes, you can change settings when you are using a headset - if you need to adjust levels for your system to that device.

But, more often, you would be using those inputs or outputs when you are using an app that provides settings for that, and so you would usually adjust levels from within an app --- for recording, as an example.