My MBP 2011 can't detect microphone, why?

My internal microphone works perfectly fine but when I insert an external microphone, my MBP fails to detect it.  When I go to System Preferences>Sound>Input, nothing changes in the "Line In" area when I plug in my microphone.  When I try to speak into my microphone, it's not picking up any sound at all.  My headphone port works fine.
NOTE:  My MBP 2011 went in for a logic board replacement/repair 2 weeks ago at an Apple Store.  Is it possible this microphone issue is caused by a logic board problem?

This because line level is not Mic level, line level requires about 60 dbv/dbu or more or less of electrical gain (depending on voltage in to load specifications, db short for decibel is not necessarily a measuremet of SPL, sound pressure level, it is a mathematical equation reducing complex equations to a unit of measurement to use in math expressions...very simply put) than a microphone can generate.
You would need a mic pre-amp/mixer to provide a line signal, a mic can not provide anywhere near this level.
This is a very simplified explanation of the electrical therory at work here, and I don't think you are probably interested reading quite complex math equations that "crunch these numbers.
If you do an online search you will find a plethora of pre-amps that will boost this level up to line level, or you can look in to something like the Griffin iMic USB interface which will allow you to use a mic level signal into your USB port easily and affordably.
http://store.griffintechnology.com/catalog/product/view/_ignore_category/1/id/62 3/s/imic/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVZ8Ko-nss4
I hope this helps you understand what's happening and helps you out.
Some simplified  explanations
http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/linelevel.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_level

Similar Messages

  • MBP (2011) can't detect LCD Projector, says NO SIGNAL

    with appropriate Mind Display Port to VGA Adapter, my MBP (mid2011) doesn't detect LCD Projector. I tried Safeboot start up, and also resetting PRAM (Command+Option+P+R).. But both strategies did not work. What else should i do? Thanks!

    Hi Petrus1986,
    If you are having an issue with not getting any video on your external display, you may want to troubleshoot using the steps in this article -
    Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1573
    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
    Best,
    Brett L

  • MBP 2011 can't find harddrive (not problem with drive or cable)

    My early 2011 MBP 13" was running fine, then froze up. On restart I got the image of the folder with a question mark on it (the Mystery Folder) - the system couldn't find a drive to boot from.
    I took it to a genius bar and the, ahem, "genius" said the system couldn't find the drive because of a problem with the drive. "The drive's dead" he said. I hadn't backed it up, and was freaking out that I'd lose all my data. The only option he said Apple could do would be to take it away (for a week) and put a new hard drive in for £80. They'd take the old drive out, and I wouldn't get it back to try and recover the data.
    I asked about replacing the drive myself, as I've done that on PCs, and he said I could try it.
    I bought a new hard drive, and an external enclosure. I put the new hard drive in the MBP - Mystery Folder. I put the old drive in the external enclosure - it starts up! Everything still there, exactly as I left it when it froze. I clone the old hard drive onto the new one, try booting from the new drive in the MBP. Mystery Folder. I connect the new drive with an external enclosure - it starts up! And everything running fine.
    It's the cable, I hear you cry. So I ordered a new internal cable. Replaced it. Started it up. Mystery Folder.
    So, it's not the hard drive, it's not the cable. What is it?!

    Hi Ogelthorpe.
    That's right - I now have 2 hard drives, clones of each other.
    Both will boot when in an enclosure and connected with a USB.
    Neither will boot when inside the MBP.
    So it's not the drives that are the problem. Therefore it's an internal cable problem?
    I replaced the cable.
    Neither drive works when connected internally with the new cable.
    What else could it be that means the system can't see the hard drive when connected internally?

  • HT201269 Why the new iTunes can't detect any of my devices(iPhone & iPad)?

    Why when I connect my iPhone or iPad the new iTunes can't detect it?

    Well, you do not indicate what computer operating system you use, so here are the support documents for both. Choose the one that applies to you.
    Windows:     http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1538
    OS X:     http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1591

  • Final cut pro x - lion - mbp 2011 2.0 15 - not responding at all since latest update. Can't open or edit projects, loading window that pops us when you click the app (as it loads) does not go away, says loading compressor support.  Have tried reinstalling

    final cut pro x - lion - mbp 2011 2.0 15 - not responding at all since latest update. Can't open or edit projects, loading window that pops us when you click the app (as it loads) does not go away, says loading compressor support, paralyzed.  Have tried reinstalling, default settings etc
    Appreciate suggestion, working on deadline. Thanks.  

    Here is the start of the crash report:
    Process:         Final Cut Pro [20568]
    Path:            /Applications/Final Cut Pro.app/Contents/MacOS/Final Cut Pro
    Identifier:      com.apple.FinalCut
    Version:         10.0.1 (185673)
    Build Info:      ProEditor-185670300~1
    App Item ID:     424389933
    App External ID: 4138831
    Code Type:       X86-64 (Native)
    Parent Process:  launchd [102]
    Date/Time:       2011-11-11 20:41:32.201 -0800
    OS Version:      Mac OS X 10.7.2 (11C74)
    Report Version:  9
    Interval Since Last Report:          192058 sec
    Crashes Since Last Report:           14
    Per-App Interval Since Last Report:  157161 sec
    Per-App Crashes Since Last Report:   14
    Anonymous UUID:                      DD542B2F-58A0-482E-AAFA-ECADEC76F562
    Crashed Thread:  0  Dispatch queue: com.apple.main-thread
    Exception Type:  EXC_BAD_ACCESS (SIGSEGV)
    Exception Codes: KERN_INVALID_ADDRESS at 0x0000000280000003
    VM Regions Near 0x280000003:
        CG shared images       00000001cbf62000-00000001cc182000 [ 2176K] r--/r-- SM=SHM 
    -->
        STACK GUARD            00007fff5bc00000-00007fff5f400000 [ 56.0M] ---/rwx SM=NUL  stack guard for thread 0
    Application Specific Information:
    objc[20568]: garbage collection is OFF

  • Is it possible to transport the MBP 2011 in standby mode in a business trolley on wheels or can this damage the HDD?

    Hey there!
    Is it possile to transport a MBP 2011 in standby mode in a business trolley on wheels or can this damage the HDD?
    Thx!

    Ok, thanks to everyone! Unfortunately there is no "right" answer, i think!? I have to try it! Thx a lot to everyone!!!
    Bye

  • Why ipad iphoto can't detect picture exif data?

    Hi
    I want to ask, why iphoto in ipad can't detect exif data of my picture?
    But while using the same picture in another aplication photogene for ipad, it can detect the exif data?
    Thank you
    Kindo

    Thank you criticacid12,
    I would like if i can get the original size of all my edited photos :-) do you?
    I can get the  non edited original size by plugging the camera to computer with the faster speed 2x or 3x or maybe 4x than sending it from itunes.)
    I have make a request from feedback, let us all make feed back request all others fiture that we want :-)
    You can send feedback to Apple here
    http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphoto_ios.html
    Thank you

  • Why my itunes can't detect application

    why my itunes can't detect application

    Close your iTunes,
    Go to command Prompt -
    (Win 7/Vista) - START/ALL PROGRAMS/ACCESSORIES, right mouse click "Command Prompt", choose "Run as Administrator".
    (Win XP SP2 & above) - START/ALL PROGRAMS/ACCESSORIES/Command Prompt
    In the "Command Prompt" screen, type in
    netsh winsock reset
    Hit "ENTER" key
    Restart your computer.
    If you do get a prompt after restart windows to remap LSP, just click NO.
    Now launch your iTunes and see if it is working now.
    If you are still having these type of problems after trying the winsock reset, refer to this article to identify which software in your system is inserting LSP:
    iTunes 10.5 for Windows: May see performance issues and blank iTunes Store
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4123?viewlocale=en_US

  • HT1975 why does my ipod touch 4th gen can't detect my location?

    why does my ipod touch 4th gen can't detect my location? i thought it was because updating foursquare. i have erased and restored its settings, but i was able to use my foursquare before even after the restoration, but now it's not working even my location services is on. Though, it can detect location in other areas, but it cant detect my location at home when before it used to check-in using foursquare.

    polajoyosa wrote:
    i tried to log in using my sister's iphone with foursquare and my account was able to check in. so it's all in my ipod's?
    No, the iPhone can determine location by GPS and cell tower locations neither of which the iPod can do.  So the fact that it works on the iPhoe does not tell you anything.  It could be that your router is not in Apple's database.  In that case you will just have to wait until they add it.  Try using a public wi-fi source to see if location works there.

  • Can someone tell me why a standard microphone doesn't seem to work with a mac-mini? Is there another kind of microphone I need to use?

    can someone tell me why a standard microphone doesn't seem to work with a mac-mini? Is there another kind of microphone I need to use?

    Most microphone output a low voltage signal that must be put through a preamp.
    The computer needs to have a line voltage signal level instead.
    Allan

  • Why is the BIOS can't detect the HDs installed on IDE3 or IDE4 automat

    Why is the BIOS can't detect the HDs installed on IDE3 or IDE4 automatically?
    Theoretically, BIOS is supposed to be able to automaticaly detect all HDs on the IDE interface, including RAID, isn't it?
    From Windows, I can find my SCSI interface is enabled indeed, but not finding my HD on it.
    Besides, if I need to make RAID0-1 by software, then I prefer to install them by Windows 2000.
    Why bother to install another software?
    I think the performance of RAID installed by the software is quite inferior than the one installed by the hardware.
    Therefore, I don't think MSI will design some function like that.
    What's more,  While rebooting process, I press the CTRL+F, trying to get into the RAID BIOS, but nothing happened.
    Is it possible that the BIOS is crashed?  ?(

    The chip for the raid controller supplies its own bios for IDE3 and IDE4.  The only thing the main bios has to do with that part is enabling raid controller.  During boot does the screen ask you to press CTRL+F.

  • Why my macbook air can't detect the usb flash drive

    Im having a problem about my sandisk cruzer. When i'm using it in windows desktop it works fine and when i want to transfer some file from my desktop to my macbook air. The flash drive can't detect by macbook. I already went to disk utility and didn't find it there. Can somebody help me here?
    Im running Os X 10.9.4

    and how to connect to airplay, please help, not see any icon

  • MBP 2011 Screen brightness changing regardless of the ambient light

    As stated in the subject my brand new MBP 2011 screen brightness changes on its own, yes i know about the ambient light sensor, but my screen is going from med brightness all the way to minimum brightness even though the ambient light is constant. yes I know i can turn it off, but why build in an ambient light feature that just makes the screen go to mimimum brightness when in a well lit room??
    or do i have a faulty one??

    I too have this problem on my spanking new MacBook Pro.  Called AppleCare and they said they weren't aware of this issue. 
    Meanwhile, this is my 1st mac.  Had it for a few weeks now.  Decided to open iTunes for the 1st time.  The whole MacBook Freezes, no mouse interactivity, reboot required.  This happens EVERY time I start iTunes which I no longer do.  Apparently it's a known issue which Apple has patched(unsuccessfully).  But hey c'mon, I mean iTunes?  This is one of the core apps which SHOULD be tested extensively against the hardware. When you consider Apple PROVIDES the hardware, this is simply unacceptable.  Unbelievable even.  I simply can't believe how poor this is from a major company.  But hey my MacBook Pro LOOKS GOOD right, so who cares if it's a technically malfunctioning piece of junk.
    Here's my theory.  Is part of Apple's patch deliberately reducing screen brightness without user authorisation when the MacBook starts to overheat, all because they know they've been incompetent/negligent with their QA testing and the hardware can't handle the software?  If so, why have users not been informed?
    I'm from Australia and we have this so-so comedian called Chris Lily who fans have taken to calling a genius, the joke amongst non-fans being the word genius has been dumbed down over the years to be almost meaningless.   Anyway, maybe a certified Apple 'genius' can explain the reasoning for the apparently deliberate brightness reductions?

  • MBP 2011 or MBP 2012?

    First time here, please bare with me. So I've alway been a PC but now that my hard drive has failed I really want to get a Mac. The new MBP retina 2012 just came out and I have been waiting for it since the release of MBP 2011 (because I waited for my PC to stop working then get a new one). However, I have been hearing that if you had a MBP 2011 then it's not worth the upgrade. So if it's not worth the upgrade then why buy it and not just get the MBP 2011? The MBP 2012 is as expensive as the MBP 2011 2.6 GHz and it doesn't have the ethernet port or optical drive which I would like to have. I know that there is the ethernet- USB cord but that just takes up a USB port and I would have to buy it. Apple being apple I know it will be expensive. Also, wouldn't it just be a retina display upgrade and not much more? I don't know too much about the hardware but what I've read is that the hardware of the MBP 2012 is difficult to fix or upgrade and you would end up having to buy a new on if things didn't work out. They're so expensive I would only like to buy one. 
    I'm really not sure what to do. I'm thinking that I should get the MBP 2012 because it's a upgrade and since I will be keeping it forever. I need to make a decision before I start school again. Please help. Is the MBP 2012 worth it with it being so new and there are still bugs/kinks for it to be worked out? Or should I just get the MBP 2011 at the same price?

    The newly released line has both the macbook pro and the macbook pro with retina display.  You can buy the macbook pro (non retina version to lower the bottom line) and still enjoy the benefits of the new 2.6 quad core processor (if you are comparing the 15")  and configuring your hardrive as needed/ affordable. The non retina version can be upgraded in the future but your buying as much computer as your budget allows. You also get the thunderbolt connection (1), usb 3, firewire, superdrive, ethernet (if any of those things you are currently using) ......puts you in a good position as things continue to change. Which they will. If upgradability is an important factor than the non retina may be a consideration.
    I personally am trying to determine whether I can live without the firewire and drive, while determining the value of the newely added HDMI the retina has to offer.
    Good luck.

  • DVD-Audio and "can not detect sound blaster card" with Audigy2 Va

    I recently purchased an "Audigy2 Value" card from an eBay user, because I recently purchased some DVD-Audio discs. I downloaded the Audigy2 drivers from the website, and the Creative MediaSource player. 5. Surround sound worked fine for me, though sometimes the driver would reset to the default 2/2. sound and I would have to re-select 5. sound, which was annoying.
    Then I was completely unable to get the MediaSource player to recognise my DVD-Audio discs, and the EAX functionality of the player would never work. The EAX logo never appeared in the player. When I tried installing the MediaSource player from an install disc, I got the message "can not detect sound blaster card". Then I discovered the world of EEPROM problems.
    I followed advice from some other threads, including using ScanPCI to get information on the card, which yielded the following result.
    When installed on my machine (Asus A7A266 motherboard) the ScanPCI reads:
    Vendor 02h Creative Labs
    Device 0008h Unknown
    Command 0005h (I/O Access, BusMaster)
    Status 0290h (Has Capabilities List, Supports Back-To-Back Trans., Medium Timing)
    Revision 00h, Header Type 00h, Bus Latency 20h
    Self test 00h (Self test not supported)
    PCI Class Multimedia, type Audio
    Subsystem ID 0002h Unknown
    Subsystem Vendor 02h Creative Labs
    Address 0 is an I/O Port : 0000A800h
    System IRQ 5, INT# A
    New Capabilities List Information :
    Power Management Capabilities
    Supports power state D2
    Supports power state D
    Current Power State : D0 (Device fully-operational, no power saving)
    On another machine (specs unknown, it's a "house pc") I got this (with 3 entries!):
    Vendor 02h Creative Labs
    Device 0002h EMU0K Audio Chipset (SB Li've!)
    Command 0004h (BusMaster)
    Status 0290h (Has Capabilities List, Supports Back-To-Back Trans., Medium Timing)
    Revision 04h, Header Type 80h, Bus Latency 20h
    Self test 00h (Self test not supported)
    PCI Class Multimedia, type Audio
    Subsystem ID 002002h CT4850 SBLi've! Value
    Subsystem Vendor 02h Creative Labs
    Address 0 is an I/O Port : 00009000h
    New Capabilities List Information :
    Power Management Capabilities
    Current Power State : D0 (Device fully-operational, no power saving)
    Vendor 02h Creative Labs
    Device 7002h PCI Gameport Joystick
    Command 0004h (BusMaster)
    Status 0290h (Has Capabilities List, Supports Back-To-Back Trans., Medium Timing)
    Revision 0h, Header Type 80h, Bus Latency 20h
    Self test 00h (Self test not supported)
    PCI Class Input, type Other
    Subsystem ID 002002h PCI Gameport Joystick
    Subsystem Vendor 02h Creative Labs
    Address 0 is an I/O Port : 00008800h
    New Capabilities List Information :
    Power Management Capabilities
    Current Power State : D0 (Device fully-operational, no power saving)
    Vendor 02h Creative Labs
    Device 0008h Unknown
    Command 0004h (BusMaster)
    Status 0290h (Has Capabilities List, Supports Back-To-Back Trans., Medium Timing)
    Revision 00h, Header Type 00h, Bus Latency 20h
    Self test 00h (Self test not supported)
    PCI Class Multimedia, type Audio
    Subsystem ID 0002h PCI Gameport Joystick (Guess Only!)
    Subsystem Vendor 02h Creative Labs
    Address 0 is an I/O Port : 00008400h
    New Capabilities List Information :
    Power Management Capabilities
    Supports power state D2
    Supports power state D
    Current Power State : D0 (Device fully-operational, no power saving)
    (Just a note: above you can clearly see that it does not say I have an Audigy, it thinks it is a SBLi've. Is this normal? The card IS an Audigy 2, it says so on the card.)
    So, I put the card back on my own PC, thinking this has fixed my EEPROM, but I get the same as before. Subsystem ID 0002h. And of course the install software will not detect the card.
    I realise that I could go back to using the web drivers, but this still leaves me with MediaSource not recognising the card and not enabling DVD-Audio or EAX, which is why I bought the card in the first place!
    I have heard that the VIA chipset is possibly to blame for the EEPROM problems on the Audigy cards, and certainly it seems like it is not permanent, since it gave different information on the other PC. So now I am seriously considering getting a new motherboard.
    Do other motherboards cause this same problem? I don't want to buy another board and get the same trouble. All I want is to be able to install my MediaSource and have it recognise my card so I can listen to my DVD-Audio discs.
    Cheers,
    Russ.

    Figured out my problem. Installing the drivers from the web to begin with was a bad idea. They just did not work properly with the card.
    The "card not found" problem has gone as well, after installing it in another PC. I am also using the proper install disc now, as the other one I was using turned out to not be for the Audigy 2 value after all, but was an Audigy 2 install disc. That easily explains the "Card not found" error. The differing results from the ScanPCI program are still bizarre, though.
    Thanks to all of the people on the forum who posted information in other threads to help me deal with this issue. For now I am sticking with the original drivers from the disc and I am not upgrading.

Maybe you are looking for