Mac Mini and USB Microphone

tilttilt
Posted:
in Genius Bar edited January 2014
Hi



Mac Mini, 256 megs, 10.3.9.



Plugged in the USB thingy that can hook up headphones and a mic. Headphones work. Mic does not seem to. Am not sure because I have no idea how to even test it. On Windows there is a sound recorder program that I can use to test if my mic is working, on the Mac I do not seem to be able to find a similar program.



I tried to speak into the mic with my headphones on to see if I can hear myself, but that does not seem to work (I do not know if it is supposed to work that way, just thought to try it out).



Any help either with suggestions for solutions or even suggestions where to where I can do more RTFM would be much appreciated.



Thanks and cheers

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 4
    thepianoguythepianoguy Posts: 35member
    In Sound.prefPane>Input your USB device should be an input device option. Make sure it is the selected device and then speak into the microphone. Input should register on the Input level meter and can be adjusted with the Input volume slider. If the meter reads your input is being received.
  • Reply 2 of 4
    tilttilt Posts: 396member
    Thanks ThePianoGuy. I tried that, nothing registered on the meter. So I guess my mic is not working then!



    Question: Since the Mini has no "Line In", I am using the USB thing. Would that be the problem? Maybe the Mini is not meant to have a mic at all?



    Cheers
  • Reply 3 of 4
    thepianoguythepianoguy Posts: 35member
    The device is showing up in Sound Preferences ?

    Does the USB device show up in the Audio MIDI setup utility? Try making it the default input there. If that doesn't work try unplugging the device, then (assuming you have GarageBand) start it up, and after it initializes plug in the USB cable. If it is recognized you will get a dialog asking if you wish to use it. Choose Yes.

    Create a New Basic Track and speak into the microphone. The level meters should register in the track you created. If they register, arm the track and try recording something. (mute the output to avoid feedback)



    If it still doesn't work, make sure the drivers are up to date, or try to find another computer to test the mike to make sure that it works.



    I have used USB microphones with the Mini I got for my Dad, so they definitely can work.
  • Reply 4 of 4
    tilttilt Posts: 396member
    Thanks for the response PianoGuy.



    Yes the device shows up in Sound Prefs and in the Audio Midi Setup Utility.



    I could not try it with Garageband because now for some reason (it never happened before) Garageband froze up the ac with an error message saying error 709 and then the system crashes. When I unplugged the USB thing though and went back to my old setup (no mic, only headphones on the back of my Mini), Garageband works! I have a feeling that the USB thing (from Plantronics) somehow screws up the system, and also probably the Mic port on that Plantronics does not work maybe!



    Anyway, I shall buy another USB thing, maybe from Griffin this time, and try t hat out to see if it makes a difference.



    Thanks again PianoGuy. I appreciate your taking the time to help me out, not only with this question, but with others as well in this forum. Thanks.



    Cheers
Sign In or Register to comment.