Headphone Mic isn't working.

[kofik2012]

I just bought a new headset, The HyperX Cloud core, and the audio works fine, i go to System Preferences>Sound>Output and click headphones and they work fine. The mic however is not working. I go to System Preferences>Sound>Input and all that show up is "Internal Microphone" and "Line in - Audio Line-in Port". I used to have turtle beaches and clicking the second option worked fine for the mic. With these new headphones, when i select that second option and talk into the mic, the bar doesn't react, and i even joined a Skype call and nobody could hear me. I don't think its a problem with the mic, its a brand new headset and doesn't have any apparent problems, however i have not tried it on another computer. If someone could help me that would be great, I don't wan't this headset to go to waste.

 

[RadDave]

I just bought a new headset, The HyperX Cloud core, and the audio works fine, i go to System Preferences>Sound>Output and click headphones and they work fine. The mic however is not working. I go to System Preferences>Sound>Input and all that show up is "Internal Microphone" and "Line in - Audio Line-in Port". I used to have turtle beaches and clicking the second option worked fine for the mic. With these new headphones, when i select that second option and talk into the mic, the bar doesn't react, and i even joined a Skype call and nobody could hear me. I don't think its a problem with the mic, its a brand new headset and doesn't have any apparent problems, however i have not tried it on another computer. If someone could help me that would be great, I don't wan't this headset to go to waste.

Hello and welcome to the forum - I'm assuming that you are using the headset w/ a Mac computer, i.e. iMac or laptop that has just one audio jack - correct? If so, the single jack can also accept 'audio in' but requires a 3-ring plug - not sure if this is your issue, but check out this THREAD from late last year in which I left a few posts - hope this may help, if not then please post back and supply some more information on your computer. Dave

 

[Slydude]

Which Mac are you trying to use with this headset? That will tell us what audio capabilities it has and we can go from there. I have an idea that should make it work but need to know your Mac's audio options.

 

[kofik2012]

Which Mac are you trying to use with this headset? That will tell us what audio capabilities it has and we can go from there. I have an idea that should make it work but need to know your Mac's audio options.

Its a Desktop IMac, I think it's a 20 - inch, but I am not sure on which one exactly. Do you know how i can find out?

 

[kofik2012]

Hello and welcome to the forum - I'm assuming that you are using the headset w/ a Mac computer, i.e. iMac or laptop that has just one audio jack - correct? If so, the single jack can also accept 'audio in' but requires a 3-ring plug - not sure if this is your issue, but check out this THREAD from late last year in which I left a few posts - hope this may help, if not then please post back and supply some more information on your computer. Dave

The headphone plug that goes into audio has 2 rings on it. Also I am still trying to find more information about my iMac

 

[kofik2012]

Which Mac are you trying to use with this headset? That will tell us what audio capabilities it has and we can go from there. I have an idea that should make it work but need to know your Mac's audio options.

Yeah, i've been looking but I still cannot find what exact Computer this is, i have a picture off amazon of a computer that looks like my mac. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016LC5MDK/?tag=macforums0e4-20

 

[RadDave]

Its a Desktop IMac, I think it's a 20 - inch, but I am not sure on which one exactly. Do you know how i can find out?

The headphone plug that goes into audio has 2 rings on it.

Yeah, i've been looking but I still cannot find what exact Computer this is, i have a picture off amazon of a computer that looks like my mac. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016LC5MDK/?tag=macforums0e4-20

Hello again - as to your iMac model, first go to the Apple in the upper left corner & click - select 'About This Mac' which will bring up the dialog box below (my MBPro) - tell us which OS X is installed and then copy the serial# (I've blocked mine out) and enter in the 'Lookup Box' of EveryMac - a search should find your exact model - click and scroll down the innumerable specifications of the machine and find the audio jack information.

If you just have the 'audio jack', then the 3-ring plug is needed for audio input - you might want to visit the website of your headset manufacturer and look in the Support/FAQ sections for some information - also, check Amazon, often a 'Question Section' answered by owners of the product and sometimes by the producers is present.

BUT, please give us more information on your 'exact' Mac and look at the audio specs in the EveryMac website. Dave
.

 

[kofik2012]

Hello again - as to your iMac model, first go to the Apple in the upper left corner & click - select 'About This Mac' which will bring up the dialog box below (my MBPro) - tell us which OS X is installed and then copy the serial# (I've blocked mine out) and enter in the 'Lookup Box' of EveryMac - a search should find your exact model - click and scroll down the innumerable specifications of the machine and find the audio jack information.

If you just have the 'audio jack', then the 3-ring plug is needed for audio input - you might want to visit the website of your headset manufacturer and look in the Support/FAQ sections for some information - also, check Amazon, often a 'Question Section' answered by owners of the product and sometimes by the producers is present.

BUT, please give us more information on your 'exact' Mac and look at the audio specs in the EveryMac website. Dave
.
View attachment 24630

Alright, thanks a bunch dude, here are the specifics ( im not sure which ones u need ) : Model A1311 (EMC 2428) ID iMac12,1 Sorry if i didn't get what you wanted, I'm really not good with computers... Tell me if u need more, i couldn't really find the "audio specs"... even i hit Command F and searched "Audio" and nothing came up. Sorry

 

[RadDave]

Alright, thanks a bunch dude, here are the specifics ( im not sure which ones u need ) : Model A1311 (EMC 2428) ID iMac12,1 Sorry if i didn't get what you wanted, I'm really not good with computers... Tell me if u need more, i couldn't really find the "audio specs"... even i hit Command F and searched "Audio" and nothing came up. Sorry

OK, a good start - I put your model information into the 'lookup box' on the EveryMac website and came up w/ four 2011 models (all 21.5" displays w/ different CPUs) - look in your 'About This Mac' dialog box and tell use which CPU is in your computer, then a single model can be selected - again, also state which OS X is installed and how much RAM is in the computer. Thanks - Dave
.

 

[pigoo3]

The headphone plug that goes into audio has 2 rings on it. Also I am still trying to find more information about my iMac

If this is a newer Apple computer that has a single audio in/audio out port…then you need a "headphone/microphone plug" with 3 rings on it.

- Nick

 

[Slydude]

@kofik2012 your answer to Nick give me a thought. Are you trying to use this headset with the PC extension cable (the cable with 2 wires on one end and a single connection on the other end)? If you are, disconnect that cable completely and use just the single connection on the headset. Does it work then? If it does then you should be but to find an extension cable that will work (3 ring 3.5 mm. male to female extension cable).

If that PC extension cable has volume controls on int that you would use I think I can make that work too just let us know.

 

[kofik2012]

OK, a good start - I put your model information into the 'lookup box' on the EveryMac website and came up w/ four 2011 models (all 21.5" displays w/ different CPUs) - look in your 'About This Mac' dialog box and tell use which CPU is in your computer, then a single model can be selected - again, also state which OS X is installed and how much RAM is in the computer. Thanks - Dave
.
View attachment 24631

The version of OS X is Yosemite Version 10.10.5, When i went to "About this Mac" I went to storage and found that i have a 500 GB "SATA Disc" for storage, Im a little bit confused about the RAM though, how do i find how much ram i have?

 

[kofik2012]

@kofik2012 your answer to Nick give me a thought. Are you trying to use this headset with the PC extension cable (the cable with 2 wires on one end and a single connection on the other end)? If you are, disconnect that cable completely and use just the single connection on the headset. Does it work then? If it does then you should be but to find an extension cable that will work (3 ring 3.5 mm. male to female extension cable).

If that PC extension cable has volume controls on int that you would use I think I can make that work too just let us know.

Ok, i unplugged the Extension cable, and plugged the single connection into the headphone jack. When i went to "Sound" under system preferences the options switched from " (Internal Microphone - Type : Built in) and (Line-in - Type: Audio line in port)" To " ( External Microphone - Type: Microphone Port) ( The second one remained the same)" When i clicked on External Microphone the sound bar started filling when i talked, but it seemed like it was picked up sound from the internal microphone anyway, as if i walked to the other side of the room and said something it would still pick up the sound, so it didn't seem like the mic really changed from before when i used the internal built-in mic. But this could also mean that the Mic just picks up all alot of background noise, but with my other headsets when i talked into the mic i could hear myself in the speakers. Not sure if this has to do with anything.

 

[RadDave]

The version of OS X is Yosemite Version 10.10.5, When i went to "About this Mac" I went to storage and found that i have a 500 GB "SATA Disc" for storage, Im a little bit confused about the RAM though, how do i find how much ram i have?

OK - look at the opening dialog box from 'About This Mac' - the 'Memory' listing is your RAM (look at my posting - I have 8 GB RAM in my MBPro); also, please tell us which of the models I listed is the one you own - simply look at the 'Processor' description in that box and match w/ one of the four shown in the pic above. Dave

 

[Slydude]

@kifik2012 I'm not sure I'm completely understanding your post but here is what I think is happening. It seems like that when you plugged the microphone in it started to work. The sound may still have been coming through the Mac's internal speakers. If that is what happened then the sound would have a bit of an echo and quite likely a bit of a delay.

When you use a headset with a Mic you probably cannot hear yourself talking at the same time. That seems to be because OS X does not fully support play thru capabilities. Others can hear you speaking but you cannot hear yourself in the headset though you can hear other people.

Here's a test that might clear things up a bit and help diagnose the problem:
1. Plug the headset in without the PC extension cable.
2. Open Sound preferences and make sure audio output is set to the headset. Make sure audio input is set to the headset mic. You may have to make the changes manually as somme headsets do not make the changes automatically.
3. Open Quick Time Player X and do a quick audio recording. Before you start the recording click the arrow right next to the record button and make sure the input is set to your headset mic. Directions for starting a recording can be found here.
4. After a minute or two recording audio stop the recording and listen to the sound. If the sound is good then you are probably experiencing the play thru echo I described.

 

[kofik2012]

OK - look at the opening dialog box from 'About This Mac' - the 'Memory' listing is your RAM (look at my posting - I have 8 GB RAM in my MBPro); also, please tell us which of the models I listed is the one you own - simply look at the 'Processor' description in that box and match w/ one of the four shown in the pic above. Dave

Its the iMac "Core i5" 2.5 21.5-Inch Thanks

 

[kofik2012]

@kifik2012 I'm not sure I'm completely understanding your post but here is what I think is happening. It seems like that when you plugged the microphone in it started to work. The sound may still have been coming through the Mac's internal speakers. If that is what happened then the sound would have a bit of an echo and quite likely a bit of a delay.

When you use a headset with a Mic you probably cannot hear yourself talking at the same time. That seems to be because OS X does not fully support play thru capabilities. Others can hear you speaking but you cannot hear yourself in the headset though you can hear other people.

Here's a test that might clear things up a bit and help diagnose the problem:
1. Plug the headset in without the PC extension cable.
2. Open Sound preferences and make sure audio output is set to the headset. Make sure audio input is set to the headset mic. You may have to make the changes manually as somme headsets do not make the changes automatically.
3. Open Quick Time Player X and do a quick audio recording. Before you start the recording click the arrow right next to the record button and make sure the input is set to your headset mic. Directions for starting a recording can be found here.
4. After a minute or two recording audio stop the recording and listen to the sound. If the sound is good then you are probably experiencing the play thru echo I described.

Thank you so much dude! I could hear my voice when i replayed the audio recording. Thank you man!

 

[RadDave]

Its the iMac "Core i5" 2.5 21.5-Inch Thanks

Thank you so much dude! I could hear my voice when i replayed the audio recording. Thank you man!

Great - your iMac model has been 'pinned down'! Returning to the EveryMac website for that specific model (and assume all of the others from that period), you indeed have the single audio in as part of your headphone port (see pic below) - of course, that is what we all suspected. Congrats on the last quote - success? Assume that you are using the 3-ring jack? Dave
.

 

[Slydude]

Your welcome. Glad to help.

Now that you know things are working if you need to hear the sound as you are speaking you might give LineIn a try. I have this installed and had forgotten that it had this capability. Think I will start using it. I don't remember if there was any audio lag when using this software.

I'll try to test this and let you know if it works.

 

[kofik2012]

@kifik2012 I'm not sure I'm completely understanding your post but here is what I think is happening. It seems like that when you plugged the microphone in it started to work. The sound may still have been coming through the Mac's internal speakers. If that is what happened then the sound would have a bit of an echo and quite likely a bit of a delay.

When you use a headset with a Mic you probably cannot hear yourself talking at the same time. That seems to be because OS X does not fully support play thru capabilities. Others can hear you speaking but you cannot hear yourself in the headset though you can hear other people.

Here's a test that might clear things up a bit and help diagnose the problem:
1. Plug the headset in without the PC extension cable.
2. Open Sound preferences and make sure audio output is set to the headset. Make sure audio input is set to the headset mic. You may have to make the changes manually as somme headsets do not make the changes automatically.
3. Open Quick Time Player X and do a quick audio recording. Before you start the recording click the arrow right next to the record button and make sure the input is set to your headset mic. Directions for starting a recording can be found here.
4. After a minute or two recording audio stop the recording and listen to the sound. If the sound is good then you are probably experiencing the play thru echo I described.

This worked, but one problem. My mic is insanely sensitive, and in the computer when i go to system preferences and go to sound input, the input volume fluxuates based off of the volume i am speaking at. If i speak at a low volume, the input sound increases. I don't want this because it picks up almost all of my background noise, is there any way to stop this?