ISight Microphone
I have an iMac Intel Core 2 Duo. And I absolutely love GarageBand. I'm using the iSight Microphone to record vocals, and it seems to sound okay. I was just wondering if there's any tips you could give me to make it sound professional.
Fan shouldn't be an issue with your iMac. Well mine never comes on anyways.
Whether using the internal mic or tracking Christina with an old tube 47 through a 1073. IMO it's a very good question, since it applies no matter what you are using.
My best suggestion is to research, read and experiment.
Other then the front end and matching the mic to the singer...The room, placement, levels, and effects are a good place to start for building blocks to better vocals.
The room is generally a huge issue. Using blankets and/or towels, you can give yourself some isolation and dampen the room.
Compression. EQ, short delay's or a hint of reverb. Double tracking. All things to experiment with and figure out.
Work with different volume levels on your mic slider in GB and distances from the mic to find the right spot.
A pop filter can also help.
Here are a couple of links that may be helpful.
http://mixguides.com/microphones/tipsandtechniques/vocal-recording-microphones-0706
http://mixguides.com/microphones/tipsand_techniques/audio_recording_vocalsfebruary
http://www.mixbuss.com/section.php?section=Tutorials
Similar Messages
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ISight microphone not working on Brand New Leopard Install Solved
Hi everybody,
I had this problems during last days, and after solving it I want to share it with everybody thinking it may be helpful.
I got ten brand new never used iSights and I wanna to use them on a few MacPro Intel 2xCpu QuadCore 2,8 OS X 10.5.4 to 10.5.7 for videoconferencing using Skype and iChat.
With the video everything was fine but there was any solution to make the built-in iSight microphone works.
After a week googling and talking around I found by myself that the problems was the camera firmware.
Mac OS X 10.5.x doesn't update the iSight firmware so the audio mic doesn't work.
If you connect the camera to an old OS X (I used 10.4.11), open iChat and log in, it will ask you to update the iSight firmware to the latest version.
After that, if you unplug the camera and put it back to OS X 10.5.x the audio mic magically works.
Hoping to help somebody else I give my best regards,
Michele Eustacchi
Rome, ItalyIf you running 10.5.X the updater is found here, go to your hard drive\System\Library\CoreServices\iSight Updaters\iSight Updater
For external iSights only. -
Controlling access to build in iSight/microphone
I hate to say I told you so, but considering some of the answers I got on my original posting (http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=426480&tstart=0) I can not but say "I told you so" ...
Fact 1: security update 2006-008
Fact 2: exploit demo
My question is not answered yet: How do I control which applications/processes accesses my iSight/microphone? As far as I can tell, Apple provides no way for that ...
Regards
Jim
AiPB 15'' 1,25 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.8)Thanks for your reply, Leopard Pagan, but my question goes into another direction: What if an application does make use of the build in camera without telling my so as to spy on me, for example?
I know there is a small light that is supposed to warn me that the camera is on. But it might be overlooked or nobody is sitting in front of the computer or maybe it can be turned off while the camera is still on.
So, what I am looking for basically is a way to control which application can make use of the camera/microphone, and I have'nt found one yet. Maybe there is none at the time, but then hopefully someone finds one soon.
Regards
Jim -
ISight microphone no longer available in Audio Preferences or iChat
I have an iSight camera that was working with my Mac Mini when I first got the camera. But somewhere along the line the microphone vanished from the list of audio sources available in the Audio Preferences, or iChat, or anywhere else.
The camera works fine.
I just can't access the microphone.
The camera and microphone itself work fine when plugged into another computer. I even sent the iSight back to Apple, but the one I got back has the same problem, so it's something about my machine or the software environment.
I have been upgrading my software regularly, but I don't recall any correlation between an upgrade and the microphone stopping working. However, since I wasn't using the iSight regularly I could have missed this.
I see the Apple_iSight and AppleFWAudio kexts loaded:
neds_mini:~ ned$ kextstat | egrep -i 'Fire|FW|isight'
32 6 0x2dd06000 0x43000 0x42000 com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily (2.0.9)
33 0 0x2dd6c000 0x1c000 0x1b000 com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI (2.5.2) <32 16 11>
67 2 0x329f4000 0x14000 0x13000 com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireAVC (1.8.1) <32 11>
69 1 0x32a37000 0x34000 0x33000 com.apple.driver.AppleFWAudio (1.1.3) <68 67 32 11>
80 0 0x3abb1000 0xa000 0x9000 com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP (1.3.4) <39 32 6 5 4 3 2>
101 0 0x3098a000 0x3000 0x2000 com.apple.driver.Apple_iSight (1.1.1) <32 16 11>
I have upgraded the firmware in the iSight. System Profiler reports:
iSight:
Manufacturer: Apple Computer, Inc.
Model: 0x8
GUID: 0xA270004000000
Maximum Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Connection Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Sub-units:
iSight Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x102
Unit Spec ID: 0xA02D
iSight Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x10
Unit Spec ID: 0xA27
iSight Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x11
Unit Spec ID: 0xA27
iSight Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x12
Unit Spec ID: 0xA27
Product Revision Level: 1.0.3
There are no interesting messages regarding the iSight in any of the log files under /var/log, AFAICT (from a grep, anyway).
Any suggestions?
Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.4.5)... the microphone vanished from the
list of audio sources available in the Audio
Preferences, or iChat, or anywhere
else.Does that really mean that
when iSight is plugged in it is not an available
choice in the System Preferences... > Sound >
Input device list?
Yes, that's correct. The iSight is not visible in the System Preferences... > Sound > Input device list.
If so you may have a faulty Firewire cable.
I don't think so, because:
* This iSight works fine -- video and audio -- on another machine.
* The video and audio travels over the same data lines in the Firewire cable, and the video works fine. Cable problems would affect both audio and video.
Does "or iChat" mean, when iChat AV is the active app
and iSight is plugged in, that "iSight Built-in" is
not available in the iChat > Preferences... >
Video > Microphone: Choices Bar?
Yes, that's correct. The iSight doesn't appear in that list of choices.
When iSight is plugged in and iChat AV is the active
app, is there a tick (check) mark next to iChat >
Video > Microphone Enabled ?
Yes, but the menu choice is greyed out.
What other apps are "anywhere else": iMovie,
QuickTime Pro, what? Please list all apps you know
have the problem.
iMovie HD: can record from iSight, but there is no audio.
Garage Band: iSight is not available among the choices of audio inputs.
AU Lab (in Developer Tools): iSight is not available among the choices of audio inputs.
If you have added anything new to your Mac, consider
Possible hardware or software
conflicts.
Aren't there useful diagnostic logs somewhere? I'm used to copious debug output (from drivers, especially) when problems occur on my Linux systems. Is there somewhere to turn up the verbosity of the debug messages?
I sometimes get the feeling that the Mac is trying to hide important details about problems from me, and treating me like a baby. I mean, I have and know how to use a kernel debugger (though not yet on the Mac), oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers; I should be able to get the information I need to diagnose problems, rather than trying shotgun solutions.
If you haven't kept your Mac OS X maintenance up to
date, try that now.
I have repaired permissions; I will try a disk repair although I have no reason to believe that there are any file system problems (again, there are no debug messages in the logs that would indicate something like that).
Consider applying the 10.4.5 Combo Updater using the
method in How I Update My Mac OS X.
I'll try this too.
If you do not get help here or in Mac mini
Discussions, my only remaining suggestion is that you
take your Mac mini, iSight, and Firewire cable for a
professional check by your Apple Service Tech.
My nearest Apple Service Tech is over 50 miles away.
I'd prefer to find a fix here if I could.
Thanks for your help,
Ned -
Hey
My iSight on my Powermac G5 (2 with the same problem) internal microphone is stopped working. It will not let me choose it's built in microphone in my system settings under the "line in" option in iSight preferences or in the "Sound" preferences.
I have re-installed iChat SW + Combo 10.4.2 update + changed FW cable + tried it on 2 different rev. iSight webcams, with no luck.
The microphone in the iSight will not work - the video is fine!
I also have a Powerbook and there is NO problem in using my 2 iSights internal microphone on that machine.Hello Øyvind
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Sorry, but I do not believe that I understand what you are asking. Please give the answers to each of the following for as many units of each as apply:
(0) Do you have 2 iSights?
(1) Do you have 2 G5 Macs?
(2) Are both G5 Macs Dual 2.5s?
(3) Do you have one PowerBook?
(4) What processor is in your PowerBook?
(5) What is the speed or your PowerBook's processor?
(6) Does your iSight work properly on your PowerBook?
(7) Does your iSight NOT work properly on your G5s?
(8) What software are you running on each Mac when you encounter problems? (List
](8.a) EACH app that shows the problem and
](8.b) ALL apps that you have open at the same time you are running the problem app.)
(9) What software are you running on the Mac that has NO problem? (List
](9.a) EACH app that shows the problem and
](9.b) ALL apps that you have open at the same time you are running the problem app.)
(10) What OS are you running on EACH of your Macs?
(11) For EACH Mac that is connected to the internet, describe the location and explain the connection method and devices?
(12) Do you do Mac OS X maintenance on EACH of your Macs?
(13) When you reinstalled the 10.4.2 Combo Updater, did you follow procedures as described in How I Update My Mac OS X?
(14) When you reinstalled iChat SW, did you do it using the Tiger Installer Disk, or did you use the method Ryan describes in his How do I reinstall iChatAV 3.x? FAQ?
(15) Do you have iSight plugged in when you try to set your "Sound" preferences? You plug iSight in first to see it in your System "Sound" preferences.
(16) There are NO iSight preferences. You must mean your System Preferences. iSight is not an item in the "line in" option. Do you see iSight in your "Sound" preferences in addition to "Line In"? Do your "Sound" preferences look like mine? If so, you need to select iSight, not "Line In" to use iSight's mic as your sound input source.
Try these suggestions. If they do not get it working, try asking this question in different words when you post back the answers to the above questions. We will try to provide more specific suggestions based on your specific information and restated question(s).
<small>EZ Jim</small> -
ISight microphone not recognized in Windows Live Messenger
I have a 24" iMac running Leopard. I installed Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Bootcamp. I am trying to use the Windows Live Messenger program. When I try to set up the microphone, the program does not see my iSight mic. Sound comes through my speakers and the program sees my webcam (it shows up as "USB device"), but my microphone is not listed. I tried reinstalling bootcamp and I saw it install an iSight driver. Why doesn't the program see my microphone and any suggestions how to fix this?
I forgot to mention that the iSight camera I refer to in my post is built in to the iMac, along with its microphone.
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ISight Microphone with P.C.
Because Skype doesn't have MAC video yet, I use my iSight on my PC. I can't figure out how to make the microphone work (isn't there a microphone in iSights, maybe that should be my first question!) on the PC so I have to keep using my headset. Any of you smarty pants know anything about this?
Thanks,
Unsmarty PantsSorry, but although some PC users report that they can make their Firewire equipped PC access iSight's camera, PCs apparently cannot use iSight's mic. You will need a separate mic for your PC.
More info in iSight and the PC -
I have an external iSight that I use primarily as a microphone while using Skype. The problem I am having is that about 10 minutes or so into a conversation the microphone will quit working. It is as if it goes to sleep or something. When I go to the system profiler it sometimes disappears or is not recognized as being plugged in. Unplugging and plugging back in has worked but not always. I have tried two different fire wires and it has happened with both. A restart of the computer works most of the time, but it is confusing why it works fine and then all of a sudden stops working. Can anyone help with this?
If you cannot find the help you need at Where to Find Help for iSight, your problem may be related to the software application you are using to drive your iSight when the problem occurs.
Your best help for Skype problems will probably come from the Skype Help pages, including the Skype Forum available there. I do not use Skype, but their Help section seems to offer an unusually comprehensive help system.
Jim -
I used my iSight for a videoconference, and while the video worked great, and the one distant attendee (whose iSight was mounted on his powerbook right in front of him had great sound pick up) had good sound speaking to us (of course, his voice was being fed through JBL creature II speakers), he couldn't hear us very well.
My iSight was perched atop my powerbook, and that whole setup was at one end of a conference room, on top of a projector cart.
I think I need a better microphone for this setup. I couldn't place the laptop in the middle of the table this time, due to not having a long enough cat 5 cable on hand.
Any recommendations?
Thanks,
BorisBoth of you should test with others to determine which of you has the problem.
As explained in Apple Article 93214, laptop Macs only make sound through the right speaker and the volume may seem lower to avoid feedback.
If the problem is hearing at his end, your "distant attendee" might want to try headphones to see if he can hear better that way. Some laptop users find that headphones significantly improve their audio in iChat AV.
If the problem is at your end, you may need to move closer to your iSight if that is possible in your situation. A longer Ethernet cable may be your best (and lowest cost) option.
I have tried others mics for iChat AV, and iSight's built-in mic is superior for audio or video chat. However, I sit close to my iSight. Currently, my other mic is a Logitech USB Desktop Microphone. Although it has noise canceling feature, its sound is not as good as iSight's mic at my close distance.
If you cannot sit close enough to your iSight, you might try a long USB cable and one of the Logitech mics. It may improve the audio you send in the large room you are using. If you try this, be sure to select the correct mic in the iChat > Preferences... > Video > Microphone: Choices Bar. -
External iSight microphone not working with Mac Pro
i have researched this extensively to no avail.
i have an external iSight camera plugged into a pci express firewire port (i got one hoping to solve the problem). the camera works fine except for the mic. it shows up in audio inputs in system preferences but will not produce sound.
i have troubleshot it by plugging it into a Powerbook G4 and the mic worked perfectly. i have also tried different firewire cables and plugged the iSight into the firewire ports on the machine.
does anyone know if there are know bugs with leopard and external iSight...seems so weird that it would work on a G4 and not my Mac Pro.
any insight or help would be greatly appreciated!Welcome to Discussions, bigboi78
I do not have an iNtel Mac, but external iSight, including its mic, work fine on my 10.5.6 G5 DP tower.
As I understand, you have checked System Preferences, found external iSight as a Sound > Input device, and selected iSight's Mic. However, adjusting the "Input volume:" slider there while you make some sounds does not effect the fact that the "Input level:" digital VU meter there never flickers regardless of input volume setting.
I also understand that you used the same Firewire cable with your external iSight on both Macs, so we can eliminate a possible cable problem.
If my understanding is correct, I can think of two possibilities that may give you a fix before you seek help from an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP.)
(1) Be sure to test with ALL other Firewire devices disconnected to avoid Possible Hardware or Software Conflicts with iSight. If you have any untested third party iSight or AV software, you might even consider whether that could be causing a conflict.
(2) Applying the latest Combo Updater often solves strange problems. Do it this way:
• Download http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_6_ComboUpdate
but do not install it yet.
• Disconnect all Firewire devices (if not already done) and restart your Mac
• Repair permissions
• Apply the 10.5.6 Combo Updater
• Immediately after the restart that finishes the update, repair permissions again
• Reconnect iSight (only) to test whether the problem is solved
• If so, reconnect your other Firewire devices (if any) one at a time and test again
• If the problem returns when you have multiple FW devices connected,
you need to keep the others disconnected while using iSight's mic.
(3) My only remaining suggestion is to seek help from an AASP.
We will watch for your status update.
EZ Jim
G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.6) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) External iSight -
Isight microphone on macbook broke?
hi i tried to use skype today and my microphone doesn't seem to work, so i tried to record something in imovieHD and all i got was white noise...is it broke??
Also there seems to be an issue with Mac OS version 10.4.8 and certain Macbooks. After installing this update it seems to kill the internal Microphone or make it almost mute. Some people have reinstalled 10.4.6 and viola! there mic starts working again. I hope 10.4.9 fixes this issue (my mic is dead right now)
Macbook 2.0ghz Core Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8) -
Isight microphone with garageband
Hi I am new to this forum and this is my fist post.
i cannot seem to use my external isight mic with garageband. i have set in system prefs but when I try to select it in garageband,its greyed out and says not 44.1.
any idea's please
20" imac G5 PPC Mac OS X (10.4.8) 1G DDR external isightHi
This says iSight will not work http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1460117�
But i have version 3.0.4 and my exturnal iSight works withGB.
Tony -
Using isight microphone with logic express 7.0? Can this be done?
Hey I'm not new to Logic, but I AM new to using this macbook pro. I can't seem to use coreaudio as my input, and choose the built-in mic as my input source. I have gone to system preferences > sound > input > built in mic and it is selected. Coreaudio is selected as my driver in Logic. Please help, or just tell me "you can't do that."
Thank you so much!Try making a aggregate device that contains your isight in "Audio MIDI setup" and go from there. I did this briefly a few weeks ago just to see if it could be done and it worked.
-
No microphone - iSight hooked up to Intel Mini
I have the latest external iSight and it's hooked up to the latest Intel Mac Mini. The picture is perfect and video chat works fine. But no one can hear me. I've checked the "activate microphone" option, but it doesn't show up in the the iChat Preferences, nor as a sound input in the System Preferences. The weird thing is that even though this is a new iSight the firmware is 1.02. And beacause I'm running Tiger I can't update to 1.03 (if that would solve my problem). Does anyone have a clue to how I can get that microphone working?
A few things to double check.
1. When iChat is open
Go to the main menu bar and click on video and make sure there is a check mark by "Microphone Enabled"
2. Open up iChat preferences > Video >
Make sure you select the Microphone > "iSight Built-In"
3. Open up System preferences > Sound > Input tab
Then select the iSight Built-In and adjust the Input Volume up about 3/4 of the way.
Then talk and see if the bars light up. If the bars light up when you talk, then your iSight microphone is working. -
ISight Wireless Microphone - bluetooth possible??
Is anyoneusing a wireless microphone (successfully) with iChat? If so, please post and let me know what type and brand.
If not bluetooth, any wiredexternal (not iSight) microphone w/headset that is being used?
I've got a 30 ft firewire cable that gets the iSight camera into the living room and reaches around the house, but that far away from the computer, cannot hear anyone on the other iChat end.
Actually after reading through this, what I'm really looking for is a headset/microphone combo that can be used with iSight+iChat.
Thanks...
G-5's 1.8 w/add 250gb internal &ext. HD's Mac OS X (10.4.2)
iMac 1.8 w/add 250gb ext. HD's Mac OS X (10.4.)
G-5's 1.8 w/add 250gb internal &ext. HD's Mac OS X (10.4.2)Hello Ralph,
And thanks for the info. I can only find some gameing references to the headset, but presume any USB Logitech wired set will work.
What I really wanted to know is if anyone is using bluetooth w/iChat? I know there are issues w/bluetooth responsiveness with a mouse, but don't know if issues would apply to a headset. Seems like there are enought cell bluetooth sets in use that it should work with iChat to give me only the wired iSight camera to deal with when I'm roaming through the house.
Thanks for being helpful as usual.
Respectfully,
Bill Gallagher
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