New MAC user - old PC user

[billw58]

"Connect your MacBook Pro to a line level microphone or digital audio equipment."
Well, that straightens it all out. I know we all have multiple Line Level Microphones around the house.

Yeah, clear as mud. Why can't they just call it a line level input? I think it goes back to the days of the "Apple Microphone" that had a built-in pre-amp. That was a "line level microphone". Perhaps the one and only ...

-- Bill

[bgravato]

Looking at that pic I remember I've already seen one of those 3 rings jack connector in some mobile accessories... I wasn't aware that newer MBPs had that kind of socket... In that case I take back what I said previously...

Koz, another way they could detect wether it's a mic or line-in connected to the input socket is by the kind of jack connected: if it's mono assume it's a mic, if it's stereo, then it's line-in... Although if I had to bet I would put my money on the impedance detection...

[kozikowski]

<<<if it's mono assume it's a mic>>>

Lovely idea, but they use the same connector.

http://www.kozco.com/tech/audioconnecto ... ctors.html

Koz

[bgravato]

Most mics I've seen with a jack connector have a mono jack. I haven't seen any with a stereo jack... (at least on the cheap/crappy ones )

[steve]

"Computer microphones" almost always have a "stereo" jack. This is not because they are stereo, but because they are "electret" microphones and require a low voltage (5 v) power supply to operate. The additional connection on the mini-jack plug is used to supply a low voltage to the microphone capsule.

[kozikowski]

The problem with computer microphones is you have to plug them into a computer or a device that simulates a computer and supplies battery. They won't work plugged in anywhere else.

The Radio Shack 3013 microphone...

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2102927

...has a little watch battery internal and doesn't need the computer battery. It does have a mono connector. Tip and Shield. No ring. It will plug in anywhere, computer or not.

If you have a modest dynamic (moving coil) microphone, those doesn't take batteries at all and one of those may have a mono connector.

Koz

[pdxrunner]

Update.

I got my "Headset Buddy" adapter on Tuesday, so I now have the headset (and it's mic) plugged into the MBP headphone jack for Skype, and the E-MU on USB for recording and music listening. So far there's been no problems switching back and forth between Skype, Audacity and iTunes. I stay logged into Skype (it's now my "office" phone) all the time, but obviously don't use the audio while I'm recording from the E-MU. So far I've had less trouble getting everything working to my satisfaction on the Mac than I had on the PC in the past.

PDX

[kozikowski]

<<<So far there's been no problems switching back and forth between Skype, Audacity and iTunes. >>>

We're taking bets on when your Mac turns into a simmering pot of grog. Buanzo is holding the bets in an unlisted account in Argentina. I placed no more than 30 days. Anybody else? Anyone?

Koz

[steve]

I placed no more than 30 days. Anybody else? Anyone?

I'll put my money on pdxrunner - If he was still on Windows 7 I'd be betting the other way, but a Mac is basically an expensive Linux box isn't it
I have a similar set-up on my Linux laptop (internal sound card for Skype, USB sound card for listening/recording music) and switch between the two depending on what I'm doing - it works well for me.

[pdxrunner]

OK Koz, you had me snorting tea all over the pretty Mac keyboard. Actually, I think it's like Steve said, I keep my Skype audio on completely different i/O devices than I use for Audacity or iTunes, or any other general audio listening. The real test will come in a couple weeks when I'm traveling away from my home office (and the E-MU) and I have to use the headphone jack for everything. Koz, you may still win that bet!

PDX