I have some weird microphone issues on my Mac mini

[XF4SLV]

okay so first of all i am using a iMac mini, and i am using samsung headphones

so yesterday my microphone clearly worked i even recorded some videos with it, but today i started up my computer and it did not worked,
i did actually experienced this earlier where it worked one day and the other day it wouldn't work,

what i do know is that my mac updated (yesterday) and my headphones where already plugged in, i already was preparing for some issues with my microphone but it just randomly worked, so today i initially expect it to work too but it wouldn't work and im really confused, i tried searching a lot on the internet but nobody seems to have the same issue as me,

so long story short, my headphone mic does work sometimes but the other day it just doesn't wanna works, and its just really confusing for me

so can anybody help me with this

 

[gsahli]

Go to System Prefs > Sound > Input tab, and tell us if the mic is a choice.

PS - it's either an iMac or a Mac mini, can't be iMac mini.

 

[pm-r]

Go to System Prefs > Sound > Input tab, and tell us if the mic is a choice.

PS - it's either an iMac or a Mac mini, can't be iMac mini.

Also try unplugging the mic connection and then reconnecting it, then check the System Sound Prefs.

Are you trying any of these methods? Check all conditions are met:
Samsung headphones' microphone not recognised on Macbook Pro
sound - Samsung headphones' microphone not recognised on Macbook Pro - Ask Ubuntu

How to Use Headphones as a Mic on a Mac
How to Use Headphones as a Mic on a Mac | Chron.com



- Patrick
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[ferrarr]

Just as an FYI, a Mac mini does not have an internal microphone (the iMac does), so if your using one, it was with your headphones.

 

[krs]

I think we need to know which specific Mini and which model of Samsung headphones.

Minis had different microphone jacks over the years, some were less compatible with the run-of-the-mill mini plugs

 

[rachalmers]

Another person gone away...


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[pm-r]

Another person gone away...

Or maybe just a lost or loose connection... to the forum list and the mic...



- Patrick
======

 

[rachalmers]

I think we need to know which specific Mini and which model of Samsung headphones.

Minis had different microphone jacks over the years, some were less compatible with the run-of-the-mill mini plugs

Well, anything from 2012 onwards has a Mic Jack. Problem is, it’s Line In, and needs a mic with a phantom power source.
You just can’t plug in a computer mic. Or any mic. It won’t work. The workarounds with using headphones etc don’t work either.
The nearest I’ve found is using a mic in the Headphone port. Can you believe. iRig do it this way. Very strange.
I gave up the nonsense and now use a Focusrite with a couple of different mics. The Focusrite is a USB preamp. Takes condenser or dynamic mics.
If you are trying to plug a mic into a mini, just give it up. Use a USB mic, or a preamp setup, still usb.




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[krs]

As I said - the Mike jacks on the Mini differ from model to model.
One needs to know which Mini we're talking about.
For some, the mike is actually plugged into the audio out jack, others use the four-conductor plug or the combi optical one.
The OP wrote that the Mike input works intermittently, works one day but not the next.
So I would assume that the levels are OK (or it would never work) and there is an issue with the actual physical connection.

 

[rachalmers]

The audio-in port on Mac Minis is a line-level port, meaning that a standard PC microphone may not be audible without some sort of amplifier.

On any Mini from 2010 and later, you can use the Apple headset (the kind that comes with the iPhone), but you have to plug it into the headphone port, not the audio-in port. There are also adapters available that allow you to use any standard PC headset with that port.

On older Minis, you'll have to use a USB audio adapter. The iMic is a popular one, but there are many others out there.

But it’s moot... the OP doesn’t appear to be interested anymore? It’s only because I’m watching Cricket that I have the interest


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[krs]

The audio-in port on Mac Minis is a line-level port, meaning that a standard PC microphone may not be audible without some sort of amplifier.

On any Mini from 2010 and later, you can use the Apple headset (the kind that comes with the iPhone), but you have to plug it into the headphone port, not the audio-in port. There are also adapters available that allow you to use any standard PC headset with that port.

On older Minis, you'll have to use a USB audio adapter. The iMic is a popular one, but there are many others out there.

Ah.... much better than your previous post.

Now if the OP came back with the model of the Mini and the specific Samsung headphone ( and mike combination I assume). some very specific recommendations could be made.

 

[pm-r]

If you are trying to plug a mic into a mini, just give it up. Use a USB mic, or a preamp setup, still usb.

I dare say the Griffin iMic would be a much cheaper alternative if one could be found to purchase as unfortunately they stopped making them:
iMic - The original USB audio adapter | Griffin

Ebay should have some listed. Try "Griffin iMic USB"


- Patrick
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[krs]

The OP could get something like this:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00NMXY2MO/

But I still wonder why the mike worked occasionally - so I'm not convinced that any adapter is actually required until we find out which Samsung unit he has.

 

[XF4SLV]

Go to System Prefs > Sound > Input tab, and tell us if the mic is a choice.

PS - it's either an iMac or a Mac mini, can't be iMac mini.

the mic does not appear. only a line in but that one does not belong to the headphones, however it did appeared sometimes when it just worked.

 

[rachalmers]

Until it’s known what sort of computer this is, everything else is a waste of time.


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[pm-r]

the mic does not appear. only a line in but that one does not belong to the headphones, however it did appeared sometimes when it just worked.

Try doing a "PRAM Reset" if you haven't alreagy done so.

Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

however it did appeared sometimes when it just worked.

It sounds like a poor/bad connection to me.

Try using another different known working compatible microphone.



- Patrick
======

 

[rachalmers]

the mic does not appear. only a line in but that one does not belong to the headphones, however it did appeared sometimes when it just worked.

This tells me you are on a Mac mini. Which means there is NO microphone input.
Only Line in, and Headphone.
Which means you will never get a microphone to work in that port.
So you need a USB mic, or something like the iRig Pre that plugs into the headphone socket. And doubles as input/output. Tricky.
If you plug an apple iPhone type earphone/mic that is used for phone calls into the earphone port, you will have some success,

Line in is not mic in. And the apple line in port on the Mini is useless.

Get a usb mic.




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[pm-r]

Line in is not mic in. And the apple line in port on the Mini is useless.

Didn't those Mac Minis use a Combined "audio line in minijack (digital/analog)" and could be used with a small external cheap ($20 - $40.00) pre-amp??

I would agree with your comment = Get a usb mic, and save all the hassles and unecessary expenses.


- Patrick
======

 

[krs]

Still no feedback from the OP as to model of Mini and model of Samsung unit, so suggestions what to do are necessarily rather general.

Although I agree that a USB mike is the best technical solution, it may not be the RIGHT one.
For one, I personally try to not use a USB port if any other options are available simply because I never seem to have enough USB ports for everything I want to connect to my Mini.
Second, the OP already has a Samsung headset/mike unit of some type they probably want to use if possible.
So I would think a simple mike to line level amplifier might be the solution.

This article nicely covers that topic (IMHO):
The Best Recording Microphones For Mac Mini

 

[pm-r]

Just in case it helps anyone...

The audio-in port on Mac Minis is a line-level port, meaning that a standard PC microphone may not be audible without some sort of amplifier.

On any Mini from 2010 and later, you can use the Apple headset (the kind that comes with the iPhone), but you have to plug it into the headphone port, not the audio-in port. There are also adapters available that allow you to use any standard PC headset with that port.

On older Minis, you'll have to use a USB audio adapter. The iMic is a popular one, but there are many others out there.

And some other info on other year models:
audio - What does a 2012 Mac Mini need for microphone input? - Ask Different



- Patrick
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