Use built-in mic instead of headphone mic?

[Jason S.]

I looked in the Sounds preference pane in System Preferences, but there is no option to override this. I want the computer to use the built-in mic on my MacBook Pro, but I want to be able to use my headphones (which have a built in microphone).

I have to hold the mic up to my mouth practically, but with the built in mic I don't have to. I have played with the input volume in System Preferences for each option; still doesn't work how I like it. This is for video chat in iChat.

Thanks!

 

[skorpien]

In your Sound preferences, select Input. It should let you use your internal mic with your headphones.

As for the levels for your headphone mic, I'm not entirely sure about MacBook Pros but I've read that you may need a powered mic or a preamp in order to get it to work properly, as the input is a line in and not a mic in port. If somebody can confirm or deny this, please do. The information I've read was for Mac minis and not MB/MBPs.

 

[CJS7070]

In your Sound preferences, select Input. It should let you use your internal mic with your headphones.

As for the levels for your headphone mic, I'm not entirely sure about MacBook Pros but I've read that you may need a powered mic or a preamp in order to get it to work properly, as the input is a line in and not a mic in port. If somebody can confirm or deny this, please do. The information I've read was for Mac minis and not MB/MBPs.

With the newer MacBook Pros, the mic and headphone ports are merged, and it is functional as both a headphone jack and an unpowered line in jack.

 

[breathesrain]

With the newer MacBook Pros, the mic and headphone ports are merged, and it is functional as both a headphone jack and an unpowered line in jack.

Only on the 13". The 15" has separate line in and out jacks, but supports use of the apple earphones and mic. There probably will be a difference for the OP in terms of volume and switching options....

 

[Jason S.]

I am using the Apple headphones that come with the iPhone, that includes the mic on the line.

When the headphones are not plugged in, input is received from the computer's built in mic. When the headphones ARE plugged in, it is taken from the mic that is attached to the headphones.

What I want to do is still use the headphones but keep input coming from the built-in mic. The problem is, Sound preferences in System Preferences replaces the built-in computer mic in the list with the headphone's mic when they are plugged in.

I was wondering about other software or a hidden preference via Terminal that I can use to override this.

I am not trying to use an external mic. There is nothing plugged into my Line-in jack. I want to use the built-in microphone on the computer.