Line In Port

I'm having trouble connecting a Logitech Internet Chat headset to the Line In port on my Mac Mini. Plugging in the wire for the headphone parts works fine, but when I plug in the wire fo the microphone, I cannot get it to work, and record sound in Skype or Garage Band. Do I need a new headset/microphone combo? If I plug the headset in to a Windows XP machine and a Mac Mini that has a Sound Blaster MP3+ external sound connected the headset works fine.
Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Hello,
I've got a very detailed post here:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=3042039#3042039
That posting discussed not only why it doesn't work, but also discusses a variety of option that can enable you to use a Microphone with your Mac.
Go ahead and look that over, and see if that helps you to put together a good solution for your needs.
I hope this helps.
Let us know if you have other questions.
P.S., if you'd like, go ahead and click the "Helpful" or "Solved" buttons on any of the posts / replies above if you feel they were helpful or adequately answered your question.

Similar Messages

Line in port not working?

I've bought a usb web cam and, with the help of "ichatusbcam", can now see a video picture in iChatAv. The web cam also has a in built microphone with a jack plug that goes into the line-in port in my MDD. However when I select the line in port in sound prefs I can't seem to get any sound. There is no flicker of movement that shows that sound is being received. If I plug in my usb microphone and select that then no problem - I can see the prefs pane showing sound input.
Any ideas or does it suggest that the in-built mic isn't working?
Dave

It "sounds" like you might need a preamp for the mic to bring up the input levels to line-in requirements.
Regards,

Line-in port not working with powered microphone

I'm not sure if this is an issue of me not understanding how line-in ports work or if there is actually something wrong with the line-in port/jack. So, I have a Sony microphone that is powered by one AA battery. The microphone has no problems because I can plug it in to my voice recorder and it works fine. However, when I plug it in to the line-in port of my PB, the PB does not pick up any sound. And yes, I have made sure that in the Sound preferences, I selected input source as "Line-in."
So, does this mean there is something wrong with the port, or does it mean I need to plug my powered microphone into an amplifier which plugs into the PB or....?
Thanks!
Conal

Hi Conal
There's probably nothing wrong with your line-in port - it's just that you've discovered the difference between "line level" signals and "mic level" signals! To put it simply, the output from a microphone (whether it operates on battery power or not) is far too low for a line level input to recognise - hence the reason you are not picking up sound on the PB. (Your voice recorder will be picking up sound because it's operating at mic-level).
The only way around this is to plug your mic into some form of pre-amp and then plug the line level output of the pre-amp into your PB. Personally I use a Tascam US-122 audio/midi interface and run the signals into the PB on USB. Works extremely well but I'm sure you'll be able to find a cheaper alteranative with a little bit of searching.
Hope this helps.
Bob
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6) 1.5GHz; 1 Gig RAM
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.4) 1.5GHz; 1 Gig RAM

How do I read in audio data from the line in port?

I would like to use the "line in" port to acquire audio signals for processing, however I can't determine which "device" number to use. I've determined that device 1 is my microphone jack but I can't get anything to work for the "line in" jack. Is there an easy way to determine what the device number is for the line in jack?

Try using Device 0, this is the default device, your sound card. Devices, in this case, are the sound card. Unless you have more than one sound card (and I don't know how to determine which is 0 and which is 1 in that case) you should use Device 0. Lines on the sound card are determined by the drivers. All you do is play or record.

Line-in port not showing in sound preferences

On my G5 in system preferences/sound/input, "audio line-in port" doesn't appear. Only "internal microphone" is listed. Anyone seen this before? Thanks.

In case anyone viewing my question has the same issue, here is the solution I discovered:
Go to Applications/Utilities/Audio MIDI Setup
Under Audio Input/Source choose "Line In"
Good luck!

Line-in Port Question

Okay, I understand now that the port I thought was a mic port on my 2008 Macbook Pro is a line-in port. What I don't understand though is why my headset worked fine with it up until last week. Can anyone help me understand why this would be?

I have an idea of what you may be experiencing, correct me if I am wrong. I bet when you unplug the headset you may see a red line inside of it. Try this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964 -Reset SMC
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379 - Reset Pram
Next go and open your finder window and delete these files:
/library/preferences/audio/com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist
/library/preferences/audio/com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist
/library/preferences/com.apple.soundpref.plist
~/library/preferences/com.apple.soundpref.plist
Put those in trash then erase the trash.
Then shut down the computer and do a PRAM reset. If this does not resolved the issue empty:
/syste/library/caches folder
Worst case scenario do an archive install.
If all else fails your microswitches in the audio jacks have failed. Make an appointment at an ARS or AASP.

[Problem] Line in port giving intervalled static when recording

Hi,
My MacBook late '08, has started having recording issues when recording any instrument through the line in port. I have tried using different recording software and cables however, even when anything makes contact with the inside of the port, the static starts. If you turn up the recording level, the static 'blips' get faster and louder.
Any ideas?
Thanks a lot.

It "sounds" like you might need a preamp for the mic to bring up the input levels to line-in requirements.
Regards,

Lion / External Microphone problem on Line-In port

I am having a problem with an external microphone on the line-in port on side .
I now have tried two mics: 1) Logitech and 2) Gear-Head
I can't get it to be seen on the system preferences nevermind any applications.
Hardware: MacBook Pro AND iMac (purchased only 3 weeks ago).
Software: Mac OS X Lion 10.7 (Build 11A511 from developer seed)
The USB Mic works fine.
Headphone works fine on same head set.
Any help would be appreciated.
Patrick
Keywords: mic, "no sound bars", linein, ext microphone, Lion, Screenflow, Screen Flow,

OK, here is the deal!
The audio input on the side or back of the Mac is not for passive non-amplified microphones. You need a microphone with a pre-amp or put one in-line between the mic jack (male) and the computer (female) audio port.
Watch this External Mic Issue Video for more specifics.
This is more of a general hardware issue and not that of OS X Lion.
Patrick
ExpertWitness.com
PatrickOLeary.com
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Challenging Line In Port Question

Hi -
I'm working with some software that was built primarily for PC's but it will run on Mac OS fine. I'm putting a powered signal into the "Line In" port in the back of my PowerBook G4. Within the software, I need to associate the Line In port to the proper "device" in the old PC-speak - e.g. /dev/tty01, /dev/tty02, etc.
Does anyone know what the Line In port on a G4 translates to in the PC-speak device vernacular? Is it /dev/tty00? Some other ttyXY? Thanks in advance!
Chris

I have an idea of what you may be experiencing, correct me if I am wrong. I bet when you unplug the headset you may see a red line inside of it. Try this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964 -Reset SMC
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379 - Reset Pram
Next go and open your finder window and delete these files:
/library/preferences/audio/com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist
/library/preferences/audio/com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist
/library/preferences/com.apple.soundpref.plist
~/library/preferences/com.apple.soundpref.plist
Put those in trash then erase the trash.
Then shut down the computer and do a PRAM reset. If this does not resolved the issue empty:
/syste/library/caches folder
Worst case scenario do an archive install.
If all else fails your microswitches in the audio jacks have failed. Make an appointment at an ARS or AASP.

What is the "Audio line in" port for?

I have a microphone headset but plugging the mic cord into the audio line in port does nothing. Similarly, when I tried plugging a cable from the "tape out" of my audio amplifier into that port for dubbing purposes, nothing happened. In both cases I can achieve what I want using an iMic and a USB port. So what's the audio line line port for? How can I use it?

Check your Sound settings in system preferences and audio midi set-up, Brian. It may be that you have it set to accept sound in through USB at present. Another possibility is that the port has "stuck" on "optical input".
Cheers
Rod

Can't capture through line-in port SB Live! 24-bit and Linux A

Hi,
I've posted this message to the ALSA User's forum but have not yet received any responses, so I'm hoping somebody in this forum can help me.
I just installed a SB Li've! 24-bit card (SB040) into a Dell Server 950 running Redhat Enterprise Linux ES, with kernel 2.6.9. I also upgraded ALSA from .0.6 to .0.3 by compiling the sources for the drivers, libraries and utilities.
Here are some of the things that I *can* do:
- I am able to hear the test sound from the Sound Detection tool.
- I can successfully play (and hear) a wav file using aplay.
- I can use alsamixer to control volume and select line-in for capture.
- I can hear white noise when I run speaker-test.
However, the thing I most need to do, but cannot, is to capture anything from the line-in port.
I'd like to capture from the line-in port but I hear nothing when I play it back. If I dump the contents of the buffer after calling snd_pcm_readi, there's nothing but NULLs. I also tried using arecord, sending the output to a file. Using hexdump to examine the file, except for the first 48 bytes (or so) of data, the rest of the file contained NULLs. The first 48 bytes appear to be some kind of header info, since I see that those bytes are always pretty similar after each attempt to record.
I am using the plughw:0,0 device. I tried to open the "default" device in my test capture/playback program, but that gave me the following error when I attempted the snd_pcm_open:
ALSA lib pcm_direct.c:587: (snd_pcm_direct_parse_open_conf) The field ipc_gid must be a valid group (create group audio)
cannot open audio device default (Invalid argument)
I am doing all work logged in as root.
Can somebody please help me figure out what's wrong?
Thanks,
Anna Klein
Here's some info that I hope will be helpful in diagnosing the problem:
>cat /proc/asound/version
Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version .0.3.
Compiled on Jan 6 2007 for kernel 2.6.9-42.0.3.ELsmp (SMP).
>cat /proc/asound/devices
0: [ 0] : control
: : sequencer
8: [ 0- 0]: raw midi
6: [ 0- 0]: digital audio playback
7: [ 0- ]: digital audio playback
8: [ 0- 2]: digital audio playback
9: [ 0- 3]: digital audio playback
24: [ 0- 0]: digital audio capture
25: [ 0- ]: digital audio capture
26: [ 0- 2]: digital audio capture
27: [ 0- 3]: digital audio capture
33: : timer
>cat /proc/asound/pcm
00-03: ca006 : CA006 : playback : capture
00-02: ca006 : CA006 : playback : capture
00-0: ca006 : CA006 : playback : capture
00-00: ca006 : CA006 : playback : capture
>cat /proc/asound/cards
0 [CA006 ]: CA006 - CA006
Li've! 7. 24bit [SB040] at 0xece0 irq 20
>lsmod | grep snd
snd_seq_midi 2704 0
snd_seq_midi_event 36 snd_seq_midi
snd_seq 5644 2 snd_seq_midi,snd_seq_midi_event
snd_ca006 34736 2
snd_rawmidi 29096 2 snd_seq_midi,snd_ca006
snd_seq_device 2684 3 snd_seq_midi,snd_seq,snd_rawmidi
snd_ac97_codec 92964 snd_ca006
snd_pcm_oss 48296 0
snd_mixer_oss 2292 2 snd_pcm_oss
snd_pcm 856 3 snd_ca006,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm_oss
snd_timer 28420 2 snd_seq,snd_pcm
snd 63296 snd_seq,snd_ca006,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq_device,snd_a c97_codec,snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_pcm,snd_ti mer
soundcore 3089 2 snd
snd_ac97_bus 6400 snd_ac97_codec
snd_page_alloc 4856 2 snd_ca006,snd_pcm
>amixer
Simple mixer control 'Line in',0
Capabilities: cvolume cswitch cswitch-joined cswitch-exclusi've
Capture exclusi've group: 0
Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Capture 0 - 255
Front Left: Capture 7 [67%] [-8.00dB] [on]
Front Right: Capture 7 [67%] [-8.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Mic',0
Capabilities: cvolume cswitch cswitch-joined cswitch-exclusi've
Capture exclusi've group: 0
Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Capture 0 - 255
Front Left: Capture 0 [0%] [-99999.99dB] [off]
Front Right: Capture 0 [0%] [-99999.99dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Phone',0
Capabilities: cvolume cswitch cswitch-joined cswitch-exclusi've
Capture exclusi've group: 0
Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Capture 0 - 255
Front Left: Capture 0 [0%] [-99999.99dB] [off]
Front Right: Capture 0 [0%] [-99999.99dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'IEC958',0
Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
Playback channels: Mono
Mono: Playback [off]
Simple mixer control 'IEC958 Center/LFE',0
Capabilities: pvolume
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 255
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 235 [92%] [7.00dB]
Front Right: Playback 235 [92%] [7.00dB]
Simple mixer control 'IEC958 Front',0
Capabilities: pvolume
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 255
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 232 [9%] [6.25dB]
Front Right: Playback 232 [9%] [6.25dB]
Simple mixer control 'IEC958 Rear',0
Capabilities: pvolume
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 255
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 243 [95%] [9.00dB]
Front Right: Playback 243 [95%] [9.00dB]
Simple mixer control 'IEC958 Unknown',0
Capabilities: pvolume
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 255
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 247 [97%] [0.00dB]
Front Right: Playback 247 [97%] [0.00dB]
Simple mixer control 'Aux',0
Capabilities: cvolume cswitch cswitch-joined cswitch-exclusi've
Capture exclusi've group: 0
Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Capture 0 - 255
Front Left: Capture 79 [70%] [-4.00dB] [off]
Front Right: Capture 79 [70%] [-4.00dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Analog Center/LFE',0
Capabilities: pvolume
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 255
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 232 [9%] [6.25dB]
Front Right: Playback 232 [9%] [6.25dB]
Simple mixer control 'Analog Front',0
Capabilities: pvolume
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 255
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 230 [90%] [5.75dB]
Front Right: Playback 230 [90%] [5.75dB]
Simple mixer control 'Analog Rear',0
Capabilities: pvolume
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 255
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 235 [92%] [7.00dB]
Front Right: Playback 235 [92%] [7.00dB]
Simple mixer control 'Analog Side',0
Capabilities: pvolume
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 255
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 232 [9%] [6.25dB]
Front Right: Playback 232 [9%] [6.25dB]
Simple mixer control 'CAPTURE feedback',0
Capabilities: pvolume
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 255
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 207 [8%] [0.00dB]
Front Right: Playback 207 [8%] [0.00dB]
Simple mixer control 'Digital Capture Source',0
Capabilities: enum
Items: 'IEC958 out' 'i2s mixer out' 'IEC958 in' 'i2s in' 'AC97 in' 'SRC out'
Item0: 'IEC958 out'
Simple mixer control 'Shared Mic/Line in',0
Capabilities: enum
Items: 'Line in' 'Mic in'
Item0: 'Line in'
>arecord -L
PCM list:
hw {@args. DEV@#@args.CARD {
type string
default {@#@#@func getenv
vars {
0 ALSA_PCM_CARD
ALSA_CARD
default {@#@#@func refer
name 'defaults.pcm.card'
}@#@#@args.DEV {
type integer
default {@#@#@func igetenv
vars {
0 ALSA_PCM_DEVICE
default {@#@#@func refer
name 'defaults.pcm.device'
}@#@#@args.SUBDEV {
type integer
default {@#@#@func refer
name 'defaults.pcm.subdevice'
type hw
card $CARD
device $DEV
subdevice $SUBDEV
plughw {@args. DEV@#@args.CARD {
type string
default {@#@#@func getenv
vars {
0 ALSA_PCM_CARD
ALSA_CARD
default {@#@#@func refer
name 'defaults.pcm.card'
}@#@#@args.DEV {
type integer
default {@#@#@func igetenv
vars {
0 ALSA_PCM_DEVICE
default {@#@#@func refer
name 'defaults.pcm.device'
}@#@#@args.SUBDEV {
type integer
default {@#@#@func refer
name 'defaults.pcm.subdevice'
type plug
slave.pcm {
type hw
card $CARD
device $DEV
subdevice $SUBDEV
plug {@#@#@args.0 SLAVE@#@#@args.SLAVE {
type string
type plug
slave.pcm $SLAVE
shm {@#@#@args.0 SOCKET@#@#@args. PCM@#@#@args.SOCKET {
type string
}@#@#@args.PCM {
type string
type shm
server $SOCKET
pcm $PCM
tee {@#@#@args.0 SLAVE@#@#@args. FILE@#@#@args.2 FORMAT@#@#@args.SLAVE {
type string
}@#@#@args.FILE {
type string
}@#@#@args.FORMAT {
type string
default raw
type file
slave.pcm $SLAVE
file $FILE
format $FORMAT
file {@#@#@args.0 FILE@#@#@args. FORMAT@#@#@args.FILE {
type string
}@#@#@args.FORMAT {
type string
default raw
type file
slave.pcm null
file $FILE
format $FORMAT
null {
type null
cards 'cards.pcm'
front 'cards.pcm.front'
rear 'cards.pcm.rear'
center_lfe 'cards.pcm.center_lfe'
side 'cards.pcm.side'
surround40 'cards.pcm.surround40'
surround4 'cards.pcm.surround4'
surround50 'cards.pcm.surround50'
surround5 'cards.pcm.surround5'
surround7 'cards.pcm.surround7'
iec958 'cards.pcm.iec958'
spdif 'cards.pcm.iec958'
modem 'cards.pcm.modem'
phoneline 'cards.pcm.phoneline'
default 'cards.pcm.default'
dmix 'cards.pcm.dmix'
dsnoop 'cards.pcm.dsnoop'
ca006 {
type hw
card 0
>arecord -l
**** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
card 0: CA006 [CA006], device 0: ca006 [CA006]
Subdevices: /
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: CA006 [CA006], device : ca006 [CA006]
Subdevices: /
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: CA006 [CA006], device 2: ca006 [CA006]
Subdevices: /
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: CA006 [CA006], device 3: ca006 [CA006]
Subdevices: /
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

BigBen wrote:
Another option is two sets of Minijack male-to-minijack male and plug to the Green and Black jacks and Audio Input of your speakers.
I want to try the two sets of minijack hook-up option,but I cannot find the audio cables.
I bought these speakers 2 or 3 years ago and have only used the SPDIF cable.
Actually i have the FPS 2000 Digital speakers. I had earlier said FPS 2000.
Mods can you help,Please.

Help please no luck recording vinyl thru line-in port on External USB Soundblaster Live 24bit

Help please! I have connected LP turntable (I am assured which has preamp inbuilt) to line-in port on S/Blaster external using lead inbuilt from?turntable with white/red RCA plugs with a line -in plug converter. Then connected external soundcard?to the notebook USB-USB as per manual. I have tried Creative's Smart Recorder but it shows no sound coming through on Analysis (same with Audiograbber software too). Sound card diagnostics show sound card OK and I can plug in headphones and get output. I am thinking hardware connection issue as I connected direct from turntable to microphone input &?got loud mike low quality recording but I ustand this is not recommended as can blow sound card (and poor receording anyway)?Is there another device I can easily plug into line in to test - or any other ideas gratefully received.

hardingt2345 wrote:
Help please! I have connected LP turntable (I am assured which has preamp inbuilt) to line-in port on S/Blaster external using lead inbuilt from?turntable with white/red RCA plugs with a line -in plug converter. Then connected external soundcard?to the notebook USB-USB as per manual. I have tried Creative's Smart Recorder but it shows no sound coming through on Analysis (same with Audiograbber software too). Sound card diagnostics show sound card OK and I can plug in headphones and get output. I am thinking hardware connection issue as I connected direct from turntable to microphone input &?got loud mike low quality recording but I ustand this is not recommended as can blow sound card (and poor receording anyway)?Is there another device I can easily plug into line in to test - or any other ideas gratefully received.
Have you tried by installing www.asio4all.com drivers and then by using some?ASIO capable recording software as like Kristal, VSTHost, Reaper, etc (there are many others available)?jutapa

MacBok pro Audio line in port doesn't work for microphone input Why?

I turn line-in port on in System preferences/sound but no reaction. Using within third party applications like Hear or Amadeus the recording via head set microphone is without problem. What is wrong with the Mac os ?

Actually, I've found the following problem with mine:
If the jack is stereo jack, the computer is in "line in" mode, where you need higher signal level (approx. 500mV afaik) which no passive microphone will provide. If the jack is mono, it "looks" for an external microphone and it works.
Both sockets (in and out) of the MBP are intelligent, in the sense that they detect what's connected based on the jack configuration.
I have a headset with a stereo pink jack (the microphone) and it is not working. Another microphone that I have, with a mono jack works flawlessly.

Sound problems with back line out port

Hey everyone, I just sent an email to MSI Tech Support, but figure I would post a message here as well. I just put together a new system, but I'm having a problem with the back line out port.
My problem: When I plug in the front panel audio connectors (Left Audio Out, Left Audio Return, Right Audio Out, Right Audio Return) in the motherboard on pins 5-6 and 9-10 of JAUD1, the back line out does not work properly. I get sound on only the right speaker of the headphones.
More info:
- Audio Driver: 5.10.0.5620 (from MSI CD)
- If I instead plug the headphones on the front audio line out, then sound is fine
- Here's the strange part, if I unplug the front audio connectors from the motherboard (and short pins 5-6, 9-10 with the jumpers, obviously), then the sound on the back line out works properly!
- My Windows sound settings are fine
Has anyone heard of this problem? Any ideas/suggestions of what I could try?
Could this be a defective board? Could it be bad wires on the case? Seems unlikely since both back line out and front line out work depending on what I have setup.
Help! :-)
Thanks,
icab

Quote
Originally posted by Steve F.
You could try:
1. Read the manual
2. Search this forum.
Rear sound problem
Third time this has come up in 1 or 2 weeks.
Steve,
I appreciate the reply, but I believe you are wrong. Yes, I have searched the forum and did find that thread. Yes, I have read the manual. The only thing that it says is: "If you don't want to connect to the front audio header, pins 5 & 6, 9 & 10 have to be jumpered in order to have signal output directed to the rear audio ports. Otherwise, The Line-out connector on the back panel will not function." That's not my case since I want both ports to work (not outputting the signal both at the same time, obviously).
This can't be ByDesign. Either my board is defective or MSI is not following the Intel Front Panel I/O Connectivity Guide correctly. The whole point of having 4 wires for the front panel audio ports, 2 of the wires being Aud_Ret_R and Aud_Ret_L, is so that the audio signal is sent to the front line out and _returned_ to the back line out if nothing is plugged in the front line out.
I have an IBM machine with an intel mobo at work and it works as mentioned in the design guide.
Any other ideas, anyone? I can still RMA my motherboard, but it's a design issue, i guess I'm stuck. I never got an automated reply from MSI Tech Support, so I guess my email never went through. I'll send another email and let the forum know of the results.
Thanks,
Igor

Line In Port

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