Can you use standard analog microphones with Macs

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macskickassmacskickass
Posted:
in Genius Bar edited January 2014
I have a friend who wants to use a microphone with Power Mac G4 and maybe also is PowerBook G4. He purchased a cheap Labtec microphone and it would not work.



Can cheap 3rd party microphones work with Macs and my friend was doing something wrong or is there no way to use those.



Is a USB microphone or the iSight (which has a built-in microphone the only way to go?)



Thanks!

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 4
    neutrino23neutrino23 Posts: 1,576member
    Microphones will not work directly with a Mac. The audio input is a line level input, not a microphone level input.



    The easiest way to do this to get the Griffin iMic. This is a USB device for both audio input and output. On the input side it has a switch so that the input can change from either line level input to microphone level input. Check their site for specific details.
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  • Reply 2 of 4
    slugheadslughead Posts: 1,169member
    Actually the cheapest way is to buy a pre-amp from radio shack.



    It's actually called a preamp.



    It's $20 so it's cheaper than the iMic.



    It also works for phonographs and guitars, so it can be used on home stereos and whatnot.



    Now would someone please answer my Question? :,(
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  • Reply 3 of 4
    crazychestercrazychester Posts: 1,339member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by neutrino23

    Microphones will not work directly with a Mac. The audio input is a line level input, not a microphone level input.



    Which is why line level mics will, in fact, generally work work with a Mac.
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  • Reply 4 of 4
    macskickassmacskickass Posts: 108member
    This helps a lot. Thanks guys.
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