Why would audio input level go very low?

I'm sure I've done something dumb but I can't work out what it is. I'm recording with a mic into my laptop and the sound is really quiet.
I've used this set-up loads of times without this problem: Audition CC, Rode shotgun videomic into MacBook Pro.
Anyone know why the volume would now be so low please?

ben.bland wrote:
In Audio Midi Setup the levels are greyed out, and in any case set high, at "Value = 0.917" and "dB = 10".
We can rule this one out straight away - MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) has nothing whatsoever to do with this!
Likewise, in Preferences > Sound the input level is near the top.
I think that you need to find out what the input socket thinks it's doing here. What Bob is suggesting is that if it's a dual-purpose socket (ie it doubles up as either a line, or a mic, input), it's stuck on Line. And that's no good for a mic - far too insensitive. We're both a bit stuck at this point though, because it's a Mac you've got, and neither of us uses those...

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