This article shows you how to enable the use of an external microphone on a Mac. The same instructions can also be used to enable the use of the microphone built into your computer.
Steps
Step 1. Connect the external microphone to the Mac
If you have chosen to use an external microphone, you will need to connect it to your computer via USB cable, Bluetooth connection or via a normal audio cable.
- Most Macs, including all portable models, have a built-in microphone. However, using an external microphone ensures better audio quality.
- Different Mac models have different communication ports. For example, not all Macs have an audio-in port, and some MacBook models have a single audio port that acts as both an input and an output. Examine the Mac along the sides and back to see what communication ports it has.
Step 2. Enter the "Apple" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Choose the System Preferences… item
It is one of the options present in the drop-down menu that appeared. The "System Preferences" dialog box will appear.
Step 4. Click the Sound icon
It is located in the center of the "System Preferences" window.
Step 5. Go to the Input tab
It is visible at the top of the "Sound" dialog.
Step 6. Select the microphone to use
All audio capture devices currently connected to the Mac will be listed in the box on the "Input" tab. Select the one you want to use.
- If your Mac has a built-in microphone, it will appear in the list as "Internal Microphone".
- If the external microphone you plugged into your computer isn't visible in the list, make sure you've plugged it in properly and it's turned on.
Step 7. Change the audio settings of the selected microphone
Use the controls that appeared at the bottom of the "Input" tab to change the volume levels and other microphone configuration settings.
Move the "Input Volume" slider to the right to increase the microphone's ability to capture sound
Step 8. Check the volume level
Speak into the microphone to see how the "Input Level" indicator reacts. If blue bars appear inside it while you speak into the microphone, it means that everything is working as it should.
- The "Mute" check button located in the lower right part of the window should always remain unchecked if you want to be able to hear the sounds acquired by the microphone.
- If the "Input Level" light does not come on while you speak into the microphone, check that the microphone is properly connected to your Mac and that it is working, then verify that the volume levels are set to the correct value.
Advice
- If you plan to use the microphone in conjunction with audio manipulation software, you will need to configure the program's settings to use the microphone as the signal input source.
- Set the "Input volume" slider to a value around 70% so that the sound of the audio tracks you are going to record is optimal.
