You can also use an external device though it will normally still be detected as a combo device. If you want to use an external mic with a MacBook, it's fairly easy to do so. You only need to make one small change. External mic with MacBook. Boot your Mac and connect your mic to the headphone jack. Mics come in different configurations; some. It may seem like a silly question, but I just had the same issue and it turns out that, if you open the laptop then the apps will prompt you to use your microphone like you would expect (and appear in the security preferences list). This is true, even if you are using an external microphone (Airpods, for example). In the FaceTime app on your Mac, make a selection from the Video menu. Choose Use System Setting for your microphone or output device. If you select this, FaceTime uses the audio devices set in the Output or Input pane of Sound preferences. For more details, see Change the sound output settings or Change the sound input settings. If you want to record music or spoken word on your Mac, you'll want a high-quality mic. You can get a microphone in dozens of styles. The most popular are headset mics (often called 'gaming headsets'), USB microphones, and standard XLR microphones that connect through a digital pre-amplifier.
MacBook Airs become even more functional when used with external microphones. These peripherals can be used alongside various apps like Discord, which is very popular for gamers, as well as Skype for taking or initiating calls.
So, when the microphone does not cooperate, it is not surprising why many of us feel frustrated. It seems that the things we can do on our computers suddenly become limited.
Fortunately, it is possible to troubleshoot problems with an external Microphone on a MacBook Air. In the event that your MacBook Air cannot detect your mic, try the solutions we have listed for you below. But before you do that, make sure that you have configured your mic correctly.
How to Properly Set Up an External Microphone on a MacBook Air
To avoid problems with your external microphone, you need to set it up correctly on your MacBook Air. We'll teach you how below.
Connecting the External Microphone
Depending on the microphone that you are using, it will connect to your MacBook Air in various ways. Regardless, all these connections usually lead to one place: the USB port.
The most common type of microphone available is the USB mic. To use this, just plug its cable into an open USB port. Another microphone type is the Headset mic. This type is often compatible with headphone jacks and USB ports, which means it's more versatile.
Some newer microphone types can be connected via Thunderbolt. Although they're new, they function the same way USB-type microphones do. They only differ by the connection protocol they use and the connector style.
Configuring the Microphone
To use a microphone, you simply need to plug it into an available port and use it as you normally would. Things may only get complicated when you configure it.
To start with the configuration, follow these steps:
- Go to System Preferences.
- Select Sound.
- Navigate to the Input tab.
- Locate your microphone and set it as the system input. You can do that by clicking on your microphone's name.
That's it! You can start using your microphone.
What to Do If Your Mic Is Not Detected on MacBook Air
Is your external microphone not getting detected on your MacBook Air? Fret not because many have already found a way to fix the problem. These include the following:
Solution #1: Configure Your MacBook Air's Microphone Settings.
Sometimes, all you need to do is configure the microphone settings of your MacBook Air. Here's how:
- Go to the Apple menu.
- Navigate to System Preferences.
- Find Sound and click on it.
- Open the Input tab.
- Select Internal Microphone. If there is no Internal Microphone option, try to speak in your microphone and check if the blue lines in the Input Level moves. If the blue lines are rising as you speak, then your microphone is working just fine. Otherwise, your microphone is faulty. If the blue lines are not rising, simply drag the slide next to Input Volume to the maximum level.
Solution #2: Restart Your MacBook Air.
Is your microphone still not working? Consider rebooting your MacBook Air. Give your computer a fresh start and check if the microphone now works.
To restart your MacBook Air, go to the Apple menu and select Restart.
Solution #3: Reset Your MacBook Air's PRAM.
Since it is a hardware issue, it is worth trying to reset the PRAM. Follow the steps below to reset the PRAM on your MacBook Air:
- Shut down your MacBook Air.
- Switch it on by pressing the Power button and holding the CMD + P + R + Option keys. Release all of them once you hear the startup tone. By now, you have already reset your computer's PRAM.
- After resetting the PRAM, configure your microphone's settings. You may refer to Solution #1 for a detailed guide on how to configure your microphone settings.
Solution #4: Create a New User Account.
Oftentimes, the problem is only within a specific user account. When you log into another user account, the problem does not exist. So, to fix the problem, you might want to create a new user account. Here's how:
- Go to the Apple menu.
- Open System Preferences.
- Choose Users and Groups.
- Log out of your current account and create a new one.
- Log in with it. Do not switch accounts.
- Check if the problem persists.
Solution #5: Contact the Program's Support.
If you see the blue bars moving when you speak into the microphone, then it is an indication that it is configured properly and that your MacBook Air can hear it. If you wish to verify that, you can use online mic test tools.
Your problem lies within the program where you are using the microphone. It might not be configured properly; hence the mic does not work. The program could be listening to your microphone the wrong way or the volume is set too low.
Now, if the settings are correct, your last resort is to contact the program's support. Explain to them your problem and ask for possible solutions.
Solution #6: Run a Mac Repair Tool.
In some cases, MacBook Air issues arise due to problematic files and apps. When left unsolved, these issues may trigger more problems, affect other programs or worse, corrupt your macOS.
To fix them, all you have to do is to download and install a reliable Mac repair tool. Once installed, perform a quick scan. Wait as it identifies and resolves issues on your MacBook Air.
Solution #7: Visit an Apple Genius.
If all else fails, you may take your MacBook Air to an Apple Genius. Have the experts check on your computer and figure out what's causing your microphone problems. This is the best and safest option for MacBook Air users who are not confident with their technical skills.
Conclusion
Connecting an external microphone to a MacBook Pro should be easy. Basically, you just need to plug and play. But if you are having issues with it, you might need to try the solutions above or check if the microphone itself is faulty.
Do you know other effective fixes that can resolve microphone problems on MacBook Airs? We're dying to know. Comment on them below.
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How to Use iPhone as Wireless Microphone For Mac.
Your Macbook has a built-in microphone, but it's not very good. You can of course buy these external USB microphones from Amazon, but they are also quite expensive. It turns out that the iPhone's microphone can be used as an audio input for a Mac. The trick here is simple. All you need is an application that transmits audio from your iPhone to your Mac and configures your Mac to accept audio input. Let's see how to do it.
Read: Best Sound Recording Software for Mac
You will need
- Free App – Microphone Live
- Apple Lightning to USB Cable
- And of course iPhone and MacBook.
Use iPhone as an external microphone input into your MacBook
Step 1
Once you've downloaded the Microphone Live app on your iPhone, connect your iPhone and MacBook via the Lightning to USB cable. Place your iPhone on a tripod or hold it in your hand to make the most of the microphones below.
Step 2
Now go to your Mac and open a new Finder window by pressing 'cmd + N'. Click Applications under the Favorites heading in the left navigation menu.
Step 3
Scroll down to find the Utilities folder. You can also access the same from the launcher or even in Spotlight search.
Step 4
Find ‘Audio MIDI Setup'. This application is a macOS utility that controls audio and MIDI devices.
Step 4
Open Audio MIDI Setup and find your iPhone's name in the left menu. Click 'Enable' right below your iPhone's name. This allows your iPhone to act as the sound input device on your MacBook.
Fifth step
Now go back to your iPhone and open the Microphone lite app. You will see input and output options at the bottom of the screen. Although initially the app shows the input device as iPhone Bottom Mic. But on some devices, you will notice that as soon as you turn on the device on your Mac, the audio input changes to iPhone Front Microphone .
This is because there is a different microphone on your device that you probably didn't know about. Convert video to digital mac. It sits right on top along with the stereo speakers.
Step 6
In the lower right corner of the application, you will see the output device menu. Click it once and select 'Dock Connector' if not already selected.
Step 7
Open System Preferences using the launcher or Spotlight and search for Sounds.
Here you will see that the iPhone is now available as an input device for your Mac. Select iPhone and you're done. You can check if the device is working directly from this menu. The soundbar shows the input when you speak.
Step 8
Likewise, if you are using Audacity to record audio, you can now see the iPhone in the drop-down menu of the input device.
Step 9
Now go back to your iPhone, open the Lite microphone if not already open, and press the power button to activate the iPhone microphone.
Step 10
That's it, hit the record button on Audacity and start recording audio on Mac from your iPhone microphone. You may need to remove noise and compress audio with Audacity, here's our step-by-step article on how to improve your voice with Audacity.
Where Is Microphone On Mac
Record audio on your MacBook
How To Use Microphone On Mac Mini
Although, there are other ways to record audio on your iPhone and then transfer it to MacBook for better audio quality. In fact, you can even record audio in the native Voice Memo app, which is common to your Apple devices, and hence, you can also access it on your Mac. But again, there is a problem with importing the audio file into the editing program. Microphone Live and other similar apps let you record audio in apps like Audacity in real time. So make your choice and share your experience in the comments below.
