Audio input through external microphone not 'heard' by computer

I can record audio with any app through the builtin mic.  And I know the system 'hears' sound through the builtin mic when I go to SystemPreferences->Sound->Input. 
I have an external microphone that I want to record through.  I went to SystemPreferences->Sound->Input and chose 'Line In' and plugged in the microphone's lead into the 'in' jack.  However the SystemPreferences->Sound->Input Input Level sensor/detector is dead -- it shows no audio input.  Nor does iMovie pick up any audio input when the mic is plugged in.
I know the input jack works by plugging in the output pin from a cassette-player, choosing 'Line In', and playing a cassette.  The Input Level sensor/detector comes on and the sound is available to apps.
I know the external microphone works by plugging it into the cassette-player and recording from it and tapping and rubbing on its pick-up.  The sounds are captured on cassette tape.
So why is audio input through external microphone not 'heard' by the computer?  Is there some trick to making it work?

There are a few possibilities, but the most likely is that your microphone does not produce enough signal to be "heard" through the Mac line input. Usually this is normal, with most microphones producing perhaps 1/100th of the signal needed, which would be called "mic level".
You cassette deck probably outputs "line level", much stronger and strong enough to register in the Mac Line input. Similarly, the cassette deck microphone input is probably "mic level" and much more sensitive than the Mac line input.
There are other possibilities, such as a powered microphone, but you have not provided any model numbers or specifications to analyze.
Try this: plug in the microphone like you did before, and make a really loud sound right in front of the mike, like clapping hands. You may see or hear a faint sound register on the Mac.
The usual cure is to buy a microphone preamplifer. You can also buy a new microphone with a built-in preamplifier. You can also buy a USB microphone or preamplifier device that bypasses the analog Line input entirely.

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