MacBook: Connect an external microphone - is that possible?
If you want to connect a microphone to your MacBook, this usually won't work on the first try. We'll show you the conditions under which your MacBook can work with the mic.
Use an external microphone on the MacBook
- Especially with older MacBooks, you can use audio jack as both an input and an output device. We will show you how this works in the next paragraph.
- If this no longer works with your MacBook, it now depends on the correct microphone. If the microphone has an internal adapter, it also works on the MacBook. However, this is usually only the case with headsets.
- The last option is to use an external sound card. This is roughly the size of a USB stick and is simply connected to the MacBook via USB. Then connect the microphone to the external sound card. Devices like the Speedlink Vigo are available from around 10 euros and are also compatible with MacBooks.
MacBook: Switch audio output to audio input
If you insert a device with a stereo plug into your MacBook, it will automatically be used for audio output. With the correct setting, the audio output is switched to audio input. This may not work with newer MacBooks.
- Plug the microphone into your MacBook and open "System Preferences".
- Under the "Settings" category you will now find the "Sound" option.
- Go to the "Input" tab at the top and select "Sound input" next to "Use audio port for".
- The device type then changes from "Internal microphone / input (integrated)" to "Line-In / input (integrated)".